7 Tips for an Inexpensive Green Wedding
May 13, 2009 by Jennifer
Any wedding can be spendy, but a green wedding can be more so, because they’re not as mainstream, plus items like an organic cake or gown will cost more. However, green weddings also have other issues in their favor. For example, green by nature is minimal, so think about a minimal wedding. You don’t need a full blown event to have a beautiful and fun time. Go simple at the get-go to save money and keep it green. Other ways to have an inexpensive and green wedding include…
1. Elope!: Yes this is your most green and thrifty wedding choice. But, it’s not for everyone, so read on…
2. Skip the gifts and ask for favors instead: Wedding gifts are way overrated, especially if you like to live in a green home, because odds are, most folks will buy you stuff that’s not so eco-friendly. Ask that no one gives gifts and discuss people offering some help instead. For example, a friend with a camera can take pictures. A baker friend may be able to pull off a cake. Good gifts for people who want to give gifts could include things like candles, flowers, or cloth napkins for the reception.
3. Give eco-friendly favors that double as decor: Lucky Bamboo Wedding Favors look pretty (see above), are natural, and come in reusable containers. You can set them out for a pop of wedding table color, then give them away. Another nice favor that looks great on the table are soy candles in all shapes and colors. I like Garden Guys Organic soy candles because they come in lovely shades, great scents, and super pretty holders (see below). However, they’re a little bigger, and can cost more (although they do have sales on sets). You can also visit Evergreen Candleworks to see a whole line of pretty creamy white eco-friendly soy votive candles in amazing scents.
4. Go digital with your invites: While some digital wedding invites do cost money, it’s less than paper because you cut out materials and stamps. Plus you leave no negative mark on the planet.
5. Go with recycled attire: A used or vintage wedding gown is just as lovely as new, cuts out resources used to make a new one, and saves you money. You can also go used with male wedding attire and even your wedding party dresses.
6. Recycle your jewelry for the rings: Many places will recycle your old jewelry and make it into something new for you, like a wedding ring or other wedding pieces.
7. Cut out travel - have a local wedding: I never get why people hold weddings in say, Hawaii. Unless you happen to live on an island somewhere, this is not only super expensive, but sooooooo bad for the planet. When you have a wedding in a remote location you’ve got to fly or drive people out which creates a huge expense and releases massive amounts of carbon into the environment. Go local! Have the wedding close to where the majority of the guests live.
Got any other tips for a less expensive green wedding?
The problem with number 2 is that now your friends are on the spot. While they might have enjoyed attending the wedding, now they have to walk around photographing it, or spend a whole day off baking, or something else. It’s alot of work to do something special for the wedding, and it’s difficult to say – No, I just want to eat the cake, I don’t want to make it. Or I’ll give up a day of my business to make your cake – and instead of getting 800.00 for a cake, I took a day without pay and now spent 200.00 on ingredients.
On the other hand, if your guest volunteers without being asked they are fair game.
As for party favors – for my wedding, we gave out small flowering plants in individual pots.
@Diana – true. A no pressure approach is key. For one thing, I’d ditch the gifts anyhow just because it’s excess and unnecessary. And as noted above I don’t like when people give me stuff that’s unethical because I won’t use it anyhow. I agree though, it can be more work to help out rather than just get a gift. In most cases where I’ve seen this work, the individual volunteered something – like a pal who loves to take pictures or a friend who bakes anyhow. I don’t think asking for a specific is very cool though.
I like the flowering pot idea – that’s so pretty and can double as decor!
~ Jennifer