10 Steps to a GREENER Wedding!

It has been Kyle and My goal from the beginning to have a "green" wedding. Now that we have become more health conscience it has become MORe important! Not only that the wedding is green, but that things are sustainable, we know where our food is coming from and we are supporting small local businesses!
Here are the steps we are taking to a greener wedding!

1. Vintage Plates: Kyle and I are searching high and low for unique and vintage plates. Our favorite place to go is Bible's For Missions Thrift store. Not only is our money going to a good cause, but we are giving items a second life AND they are only $.39 per plate! That's cheaper than some rentals, and if I re-donate when the wedding is over, we get a tax right off! Brilliant!

2. Re-claimed Wood Signs: When Kyle and I moved into our house in Minneapolis, there were some old, water logged planters in our back yard. Most of the wood has gone to bond fires, however with the amount that is left over we are making unique directional signs for our guests! "Ceremony", "Sarah's Flowers", "Dancing", "Camping" and "Farmer's Market" are some of the ideas I have had! These signs are something I have been seeing all over the blogs, but I really like the idea of reclaiming wood instead of buying new at the lumber yard.

3. Local Foods: Overlook Farms and Clarksville Station is known for "honoring the natural flavors of fresh, locally grown food". Which is an important reason we have decided on them for our venue. They have fields upon fields of fruit orchards and vegatable gardens and they partner with other local farmers who practice sustainable farming techniques. The food is always fresh! This will definetly give guests something to appreciate, so don't be afraid to flaunt it in your menus and signs! I am super excited about my "Farmer's Market" Salad Bar that will be at my wedding!

4. Vintage Decor: Much of our decor is from vintage treasures we have been collecting for years. From the vintage cans and mason jars that make up the centerpieces, to the vintage books to show our personalities, to old fruit crates scattered throughout the setting to hold programs, silverware of anything else we can think of!

5. Unexpected Cloth Napkins: Again it is amazing what you can find at the thrift store! Without spending a fortune of "custom" napkins that you will throw away, Kyle and I tossed back and forth a couple of ideas for our napkins at our place settings. Then we landed on using vintage sheets. Just by cutting them with pinking shears, it finishes the edges. We are using a variety of patterns, but it would also be nice to keep it simple and use white sheets or cream. Think of how many napkins you could get in one sheet!

6. Local Bakeries For Dessert: We are purchasing our pies from a small local grocery store. It has been locally owned for several years and we know by investing in there bakery our money is going right back into the community we grew up in. We are excited about this, not only becuase of it quaint nostalgia, but it keeps our prices down too!

7. Grow Your Own Flowers: Although, everyone knows that it is important for your pocketbook to choose flowers that are in season in your region, sometimes this thought can go as far as your back yard! The venue I am working with has large open fields, and they are planning to plant Zinnias (which just so happened to be one of my flowers of choice!) then I will get to "pick" as many flowers as I want! Now, I realize that I am very lucky for having this option, but find your local farmer's market or craigslist a farmer, requesting to grow large amounts of "easy to grow" flowers for a price! It will save so much money, support local farmers and add so much charm to your special day!

8. CAMPING: So when we talked to Overlook Farms, one of my big questions was could my guests camp out. After some chatting with the owner, they were all for it. They even decided to call our camp out guests the "Under The Stars" guests! How Cute! It saves the farm energy, guests money and is just a fun idea!

9. Prize Ribbon Lanterns: So our entire wedding revolves around the "prize ribbon" theme, so when paper source put out a tutorial on how to make these pinwheel paper lantern things I was so excited! just add a circular center and some cute tails and its a prize ribbon. So I started collecting large pieces of discarded paper from work to build my prize ribbon alter! Then I decided I could hang smaller ones from the last chair that hits the aisle. So talk about giving paper a 2nd life, before it can get recycled! Plus it saves me Moola!!!!

10. Re-Using Glassware: So as part of the nostalgia and fun of our wedding, we decided to make our favors/escort cards/drink glasses from mason jars. We are asking guests to have their glasses rinsed between drinks instead of getting a whole new glass. When the wedding is over, they can take their jars home (lids and all). We will suggest ways to use their jar at home; store buttons, can jelly, bring your lunch to work, etc. This way everyone wins! The earth, the guests and our venue!

I hope this can eventually give other brides some good ideas on a green wedding. A green wedding doesn't always have to be set in the coutry. There can be fabulously, glamourous ones too!!

Ta Ta for now!