At the alter: How to plan a green wedding

BY KATIE VAUGHN

Brides and grooms are showing love for one another -- and the earth -- with environmentally friendly weddings. Hosting green nuptials mainly comes down to making eco-conscious tweaks on tradition.

Magazines such as Bridal Guide and Brides have highlighted the trend. The average American nuptials now cost more than $27,800, according to a 2006 survey by Conde Nast. But such a wedding can leave a Bigfoot-sized environmental footprint.

Of course, the most environmentally friendly weddings are the simplest and smallest. But eco-friendly options for larger gatherings have multiplied in the past few years. Keep in mind that going green may not always save money. Here are some hints to get started:

Rings, gowns and dresses

  • Have an heirloom ring resized or redesigned. Its sentimental -- and green. Raid Grandmas jewelry box or shop at an environmentally responsible dealer. Many green brides seek to avoid ''blood'' diamonds of Africa or eschew gold because of consequences of mining in some countries.

  • Reuse your mothers wedding gown, or try a vintage shop. The gown can feel exclusively yours once its tailored.

  • Consider renting a gown: Like tuxes, wedding dresses can now be borrowed for the big day. If a new gown is a must, pick one made of organic or natural fibers such as linen or silk.

  • Bridesmaid attire, too, can be eco-conscious. When Nikki Carrico planned her Madison, Wis., wedding, she sought chic -- but all-occasion -- dresses for her attendants. ''I wanted to pick out a simple black dress that the girls could wear again,'' she says.

    Invitations and programs

  • Forego superfluous sheets and envelopes: Send simple invitations and let guests reply online. At sites such as weddingwindow.com and ewedding.com, couples can post how-we-met stories, directions, registries and more.

    Emily DeWitt went high-tech for her Davenport, Iowa, wedding. In lieu of paper programs, she played a video to introduce her wedding party and announce the proceedings to come.

  • When only paper will do, opt for recycled paper and soy- or vegetable-based inks.

    Venues and transportation

  • Keep things simple. DeWitt held ceremony and reception at one site. ''They come, they stay,'' DeWitt said of guests. ''Theres no additional driving.''

  • Rent hybrids rather than stretch limos to shuttle guests, or show them that mass transit is a fashionable option -- even in formalwear. Outdoor venues appeal to eco-minded brides and grooms. Rowboats and horse-drawn carriages are romantic and green.

    Food and drink

  • Seek a caterer or restaurant that uses organic ingredients and seasonal foods from your area. Toast with local wines and microbrews; local items require less packaging and shipping.

    Flowers and photos

  • Select indigenous flowers in bloom at the time of your wedding. Or go with potted plants -- guests can take them home after the wedding.

  • Opt for digital wedding photography. Save on prints and have friends check out proofs online or on a disc.

    Honeymoon

  • Seek a ''carbon neutral'' getaway. Expedia and Travelocity have introduced programs that let travelers buy the carbon offsets (but first, see page 4 for a caution about buying offsets).

  • For your getaway car, how about a hybrid decked out with tin cans? Just make sure you recycle them!

     

     

    WEDDING COST CALCULATOR

    Want to calculate the environmental cost of your wedding? Here's one of the more reliable Web-based calculators:

    http://www.terrapass.com/wedding/index.html

     

     

    MORE GREEN WEDDING IDEAS

  • Consider renting a gown: Like tuxes, wedding dresses can now be borrowed for the big day.

  • Opt for digital wedding photography and have friends check out proofs online or on a disc.

  • Save energy by choosing live, acoustic music. Hire musicians to play piano, guitar, violin, harp, accordion -- whatever suits your style.

    Green gifts for the eco couple

  • Organic sheets and bedding

  • Towels and bathrobes made of organic cotton, hemp or bamboo fiber

  • Reusable canvas totes for hauling groceries

  • Recycled-paper stationary for thank-you notes

  • Recycled-glass tumblers

  • Guide books to local trails and nature preserves

  • Gift certificate to a local organic restaurant

  • Plants and gardening tools

     

    Vaughn is a reporter for the Quad-City Times, Davenport, Iowa, kvaughn@qctimes.com, (563) 383-2282