Chic Ideas for Eco-Friendly Weddings
It can feel challenging to balance the desire to have a gorgeous wedding with the wish to plan an event that is eco-friendly.
But fear, not! Style and earth friendly choices are not mutually exclusive.
Check out these tips for chic ideas for eco-friendly weddings.
Tip number one has to do with the wedding attire.
Vintage inspired wedding gowns are very stylish right now.
The "green" version of this would be to wear an actual vintage wedding dress.
Why buy new when you can recycle, right? If you are lucky, your mother has saved her wedding gown for you.
If not, you can find a vintage gown in a second hand shop, vintage store, or bridal salon that specializes in antique restorations.
Make the gown your own by adding unique bridal jewelry and a chic veil like a birdcage.
Choose bridal jewelry with a slightly vintage flair to complement your wedding dress.
The result will be a completely unique bridal ensemble that is also more gentle to the earth.
Then there are the bridesmaids.
Instead of having them go out and buy matching polyester satin dresses from a large chain store, consider allowing your 'maids to wear dresses that they already own.
Think about it: you will avoid attiring your bridesmaids in man-made fabrics which are not good for the planet, avoid buying dresses which were likely made overseas under questionable labor conditions, and your bridesmaids will not be spending their money at a big store that does not keep it in their community.
On top of it, your friends will get to save their money! Simply set a general style that you would like them to wear, and trust them to choose a pretty dress.
Your friends will look lovely, and it is far more chic these days for bridesmaids to be mismatched, rather than cookie cutter.
Cut flowers are beautiful, and people often assume that because flowers are natural they are also "green".
The sad truth, however, is that the commercial flower industry is not very good for the planet.
They are often grown using loads of pesticides, they are flown around the world using huge amounts of fuel, and commercial greenhouses are often located in locations where they negatively impact the local environment.
The chic alternative to commercially grown blossoms is to use local organic flowers or non-floral decorations.
Get creative! Maybe you can handcraft paper flowers from the pages of old books for a literary inspired centerpiece design.
Or use a collection of vintage brooches to make a fabulous bouquet.
Remember that you can choose non-floral items to carry in lieu of bouquets as well.
For instance, it can be very stylish and modern for bridesmaids to carry elegant clutches instead of floral bouquets.
Another eco-chic wedding idea is to use fabric instead of paper for things like favor or bridesmaid gift wrappings.
Instead of using wrapping paper that will be thrown away, tie up gifts in a pretty piece of lace, a scarf, or a handkerchief.
The fabric will give the gifts a more luxurious style than regular wrapping paper, and it will also be something that your friends can keep and reuse.
It is fantastic when you can reduce the waste caused by your wedding while also adding to the style and beauty of your celebration!
But fear, not! Style and earth friendly choices are not mutually exclusive.
Check out these tips for chic ideas for eco-friendly weddings.
Tip number one has to do with the wedding attire.
Vintage inspired wedding gowns are very stylish right now.
The "green" version of this would be to wear an actual vintage wedding dress.
Why buy new when you can recycle, right? If you are lucky, your mother has saved her wedding gown for you.
If not, you can find a vintage gown in a second hand shop, vintage store, or bridal salon that specializes in antique restorations.
Make the gown your own by adding unique bridal jewelry and a chic veil like a birdcage.
Choose bridal jewelry with a slightly vintage flair to complement your wedding dress.
The result will be a completely unique bridal ensemble that is also more gentle to the earth.
Then there are the bridesmaids.
Instead of having them go out and buy matching polyester satin dresses from a large chain store, consider allowing your 'maids to wear dresses that they already own.
Think about it: you will avoid attiring your bridesmaids in man-made fabrics which are not good for the planet, avoid buying dresses which were likely made overseas under questionable labor conditions, and your bridesmaids will not be spending their money at a big store that does not keep it in their community.
On top of it, your friends will get to save their money! Simply set a general style that you would like them to wear, and trust them to choose a pretty dress.
Your friends will look lovely, and it is far more chic these days for bridesmaids to be mismatched, rather than cookie cutter.
Cut flowers are beautiful, and people often assume that because flowers are natural they are also "green".
The sad truth, however, is that the commercial flower industry is not very good for the planet.
They are often grown using loads of pesticides, they are flown around the world using huge amounts of fuel, and commercial greenhouses are often located in locations where they negatively impact the local environment.
The chic alternative to commercially grown blossoms is to use local organic flowers or non-floral decorations.
Get creative! Maybe you can handcraft paper flowers from the pages of old books for a literary inspired centerpiece design.
Or use a collection of vintage brooches to make a fabulous bouquet.
Remember that you can choose non-floral items to carry in lieu of bouquets as well.
For instance, it can be very stylish and modern for bridesmaids to carry elegant clutches instead of floral bouquets.
Another eco-chic wedding idea is to use fabric instead of paper for things like favor or bridesmaid gift wrappings.
Instead of using wrapping paper that will be thrown away, tie up gifts in a pretty piece of lace, a scarf, or a handkerchief.
The fabric will give the gifts a more luxurious style than regular wrapping paper, and it will also be something that your friends can keep and reuse.
It is fantastic when you can reduce the waste caused by your wedding while also adding to the style and beauty of your celebration!
Source...