Hire a Good Wedding Planner

Tara and Michael wrote:
If anyone is considering having an eco-wedding, the most important suggestion I have is hiring an eco-event planner. An eco-event planner is there to serve you, but they are also there to protect and serve the environment. On Green Lily’s Events website, they sum it up very well when they say: “We believe that making responsible choices in the early stages of event planning can minimize waste and create a lighter footprint. Our mission is to create unique, eco-chic events that balance style with sustainability.” My wedding would not have been the same with the help of Green Lily Events.

Kate's comments:
Hiring a green wedding planer can take a lot of the pressure off you and can also expose you to new ideas and resources. Contact the Association of Bridal Consultants and ask for green event planners in your area.



Tara and Michael wrote:

Skeptical Guests

Tara Wrote:
Having an eco-wedding in Houston is interesting because it is a new concept in our city so skepticism is normal but there was quite a bit of support from our guests. Overall, the reaction from our guests was positive, but we did receive some laughs and jokes along the way. I attribute that to people being scared of change.

Kate's Comment:
My husband Barry and I experienced this too - and we live in the North East. I think certain members of my family expected to show up and be forced to eat granola for three days and dance barefoot under the moon. While there was some granola, and lots of dancing, they were surprised and delighted to see that a green wedding can be (and often is) just like a traditional wedding in every way but one - it has less impact on the environment. I am glad to hear everyone rallied behind you on this special day!

Image: Spokesman Review Blog

Offer Gifting Alternatives

Claire & Jose did something very clever. In addition to setting up a registry with Giftwisdom.com (which allowed them to take any product on the internet and put it on their registry) they offered guests other creative - and even FREE - ways to give as well. The following is taken from their website:

For Our Houston Guests:

If you were expecting a more traditional registry, please consider getting us a gift card from Whole Foods. We were not able to find an eco-friendly store in Houston that has a registry option. Whole Foods has a wide range of luxury home goods that would delight us.

If you choose not to give from the registry but still want to pay tribute to us, please do one of the following:

A. Make a donation to those with more pressing needs such as your favorite charity, or one below, and give in our names. Let us know to whom, and if you like, what you gave.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Boomer Esiason Foundation
Doctors Without Borders
Habitat for Humanity International
Humane Society of the U.S.
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Scholarship America
YMCA of Greater New York
National Transplant Assistance Fund

You can give FREE donations with 2 clicks by following these links:

TheRainforestSite.com
TheAnimalRescueSite.com
TheHungerSite.com
TheBreastCancerSite.com
TheChildHealthSite.com
heLiteracySite.com

Check out: http://www.changingthepresent.org/ to learn about giving gifts to charities in a loved one's name.

B. Make us or buy something that you know will be treasured and will not take up too much space in our small New York City apartment(s).

C. Ask us if we can use the gift you had in mind.

D. If you were thinking of having a shower for us please know that we would much rather spend quality time with you than have people watch us open presents!

Image: Jane & Phillips Wedding at Our Big Day