Going green on your wedding day has economic, environmental, social benefits and you can do it without sacrificing elegance and style. Whether you incorporate just a few earth friendly aspects or go completely organic from the food you serve to the fabric in your wedding dress, every green choice makes a difference. Having a green wedding will also save you money - a happy fact for most couples today. Here are five tips to help you create the green wedding of your dreams.Reduce Transportation ImpactsReduce transportation costs and emissions by choosing a venue destination that requires the least amount of travel for your guests. In addition, provide your guests with possible transportation options. If they're invited to your wedding, they probably already know that you're environmentally conscious. They'll appreciate the helpful information about green transportation options (bus, trains, etc.) and may even consider carpooling to your wedding.Go LocalGo Local and buy from local merchants. Almost anything can be found locally, including seasonal and organic flowers that haven't been sprayed with toxic chemicals. According to the USDA more than half of the flowers sold in the US are imported. Reduce toxic chemicals and import transportation costs by purchasing your flowers from a local grower.Purchase your food and drink locally as well. Most cities these days have microbreweries and wineries everywhere, allowing you to choose exactly what you need from small local businesses. To find local food producers talk to your local city office, the Chamber of Commerce or some of the fruit and vegetable vendors at your local farmer's market.Upcycle Wedding RingsInstead of spending a small fortune on wedding rings, upcycle your grandparent's wedding rings. They'll have special meaning for you, especially if their marriage lasted a lifetime. You can also find beautiful vintage jewelry alternatives at local jewelry stores as well as retro styles that are always popular and stylish wedding options. You'll also save the energy that would have been expended through mining and producing new pieces.Be Eco-Friendly EducatedUnderstand the products you're purchasing and the impact they have on the environment. A few eco-friendly materials include bamboo, organic cotton, hemp and soybean fabric that has a luxurious, silky texture. The wedding decor can consist of things like centerpieces made out of vintage items or special pieces collected from family and friends.A bamboo Forever Frame or Framette makes a great centerpiece for your tables while functioning as a reusable memento. You can add a unique personality to your tables this way. Adding pieces like shells from the beach and recycled glass designed to match the theme of the wedding makes customizing your centerpieces easy.Another great idea would be to start early and pick up a variety of plate settings at your local thrift store. You'd be surprised at the variety of fine china you'll find on their shelves and having a different setting for each guest creates an eye-catching enchanting, vintage look.Ask for Green GiftsEncourage your guests to give gifts that are green. There are many sites where you can register for eco-friendly gifts that not only help educate your guest about eco-friendly living but support sustainable businesses.Having a green wedding may take a little bit of planning, but the rewards are worth it. Not only will you save the environment, but you'll create a very green multiplier effect through education of your guests.
