Environmentally conscious weddings are on the rise. And for a multi-billion dollar per year industry that is great news for our environment! From organically-grown dishes, conflict free diamonds, recyclable invitations and earth-friendly party favors I can't help but ask; is green the new white?
Kate L. Harrison a New Haven, CT resident and author of The Green Bride Guide due out in stores December 2nd tells us more:
Q. What is a green wedding?
A. "A green wedding is any wedding where the couple tries to decrease the impact of the event on the planet -- and there are many ways to do it! Every part of a wedding, from invitations to the favors, has eco-friendly options worth considering."
Q. Is it more expensive to have a sustainable, eco-friendly wedding?
A. "No! This is a myth that I am working hard to dispel. A green wedding can cost more than a conventional wedding or it can cost less (up to 60% by my estimates). It depends entirely on the choices you make. That is why I have divided each section of the book up by price. I offer low, medium and high-end choices in every category so couples can easily decide where to save and where to splurge. You never have to sacrifice style or comfort to be green."
Q. What is the easiest component any wedding can incorporate to make it more sustainable?
A. "Couples spend about half of their budget on food, so this is a great place to make change. Ask your caterer to create a menu with local, seasonal and organic dishes. In addition to being better for the environment, they taste amazing!"
Q. There are many products on the market that claim to be "all-natural" or "organic", how can couples be sure they are choosing legitimate green products for their wedding?
A. "This is a significant problem. Look at the recommendations in my book ( I have a whole section on green washing) and at thegreenbrideguide.com, check Co-op America's green pages and most importantly, ask questions!"
Q. What inspired you to write The Green Bride Guide and what can readers expect?
A. "The short answer is that it was the resource that I wanted to have but could not find when my husband and I were planning our wedding. The Green Bride Guide has all the basic wedding information (e.g. checklists and vendor contact sheets) but also offers hundreds of eco-friendly ideas and up-to-date resources in an organized, easy-to-navigate format."
What's next? The future looks green! And Kate will be contributing more green wedding ideas right here on CTGreen Scene. Check back soon! Interested in having your own green wedding? Have more questions or concerns? Ask Kate.
Conscious couples should visit C5 for sustainable fine jewelry.
C5 offers custom services so that your rings can match your personality and values. We also offer an online store devoted to sustainable jewelry designers.
Look beyond conflict-free to rings made from recycled metals, ethically sourced gems or lab-created diamonds.
www.C5company.com
Wear Your Commitment.
Posted by: Meghan | November 04, 2008 at 10:48 AM