One of our readers, Aileen was kind enough to share some beautiful photos from her eco-friendly wedding in Connecticut this past August.  They were married at Castle Craig in a lovely outdoor reception, which required no decorating due to the natural beauty of the grounds.  Aileen is a highly creative and talented individual and therefore was able to incorporate a lot of DIY projects that not only reduced the environmental impact of her wedding but also kept her overall wedding expenses down.  I was blown away when I saw all that she did!  Through her creativity and design she was able to incorporate her Japanese heritage and I must say her work paid off, as her wedding was absolutely stunning.

Cermony Location: Castle Craig

Not only were the flowers and decor eco-friendly but they also provided their guests with local, edible candies from Lamothe's Sugar House and kept their guests informed through their wedding website.  You can check out more photos on our facebook page but I thought I would leave you with a little advice from Aileen:

"It's your day. Do as you want and envision. Don't worry about breaking traditions or doing something new or unusual. The most important thing, in the end, is that you are married to the man you love and everything else is just window dressing. If you are having fun and enjoying yourself so will everyone else. And being different is fun! :) "

This article was emailed to me by the Sierra Club last week and I thought it was perferct for all you green brides out there searching for some green wedding ideas or green wedding inspiration.

Sierra Club's 10 Steps to a Green Wedding

Going green is a great way to make your wedding unique and meaningful. Plus, you get to show friends and family just how fun, beautiful, and delicious a sustainable lifestyle can be.

1. With this ring...

• Vintage rings, whether a family heirloom or an antique find
• Lab-created diamonds 
• Diamonds mined in peaceful areas
• Diamonds certified as "conflict-free" 

2. Location, location, location

• Choosing a setting that's convenient to the majority of the guests to minimize travel impacts
• Having the ceremony and the reception at the same place
• Picking a unique local spot-that supports a cause you believe in.
• An outdoor setting 
• Offsetting your guests' travel 

3. Please join us...

• Recycled, handmade, or plantable papers 
• Tree-free paper 
• A printer that uses paper with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content.
• Papers that aren't metallic or plastic-coated 

4. The final fling

• Stay local.
• Offset your trip if you choose a "destination" party.
• Indulge in organic wine- or beer-tasting or an organic spa treatment.

5. Here comes the bride...

• Go vintage 
• Pick clothes made from hemp, bamboo, or organic cotton or silk 
• Borrow an elegant gown from a stylish friend
• Buy something you'll wear again and let your bridesmaids do the same
• Beautify with all-natural makeup
• Donate attire to charity after the event

6. Set the stage

• Opt for organic flowers.
• Decorate with branches, dried grasses, grains, greens, berries, or live plants (potted or dried arrangements can double as favors).
• Choose beeswax or soy candles 
• Move decorations from the ceremony to the reception

7. Eat, drink, and be merry

• Ask the venue's preferred caterers and bakers if they can work organically
• Consider vegetarian selections and seek out cruelty-free meats
• Make sure the venue offers comprehensive recycling facilities.
• Have your cake decorated with organically grown flowers or other natural materials instead of plastic toppers
• Rent real glassware, dishware, and linens instead of using disposables
• Donate leftover food to a local food bank or homeless shelter

8. Lasting memories

Whether you prefer film or digital photographs, hire a photographer who will do digital proofs to save paper and chemicals. 

9. 'Tis better to give...

• Asking for gifts to charity instead of material things
• Registering with the I Do Foundation or another site that gives a percentage of gift purchases to your chosen cause
• Registering with stores that offer local, fair-trade, handmade, organic, or other ecofriendly products like Branch, Gaiam, Greenfeet, GreenSage, Ten Thousand Villages, UncommonGoods, or VivaTerra

10. Happily ever after...

• Engaging in ecotourism
• Rent bikes or taking public transportation at your destination 
• Stay in a family-run B&B or inn, a luxury teepee or yurt, or a green hotel that works to save resources and reduce waste.
• Offsetting your trip's carbon emissions

Whenever I think back to a wedding I have attended it always brings up such fond memories. It is the celebration of a new beginning between two people who love and are committed to one another.  

I love visiting with all the guests that traveled so far just to be there, tasting the great food, dancing to the music, admiring the beautiful decorations, etc.  It is such a joyous event; it is hard to think about the true cost of a wedding. And no, I am not talking about the $20,000 plus a couple and their parents spent on the event.  I am talking about the true cost.

I was surprised when I read that the average wedding emits anywhere from 9-16 tons of CO2 into the air on a single day! That is more than the average person will emit in one year! This brings me to a question I battle with:

How do you minimize the overall carbon footprint of your wedding without sacrificing style?

I believe it comes down to choices...choices coupled with creativity.  Force yourself to think outside the box and embrace new ideas and
concepts.  

This blog aims to be a place for you to explore your ideas and hopefully find some new inspiration.