First, let me commend you for taking the planet into consideration as you plan your wedding. I suspect you’ve chosen this path because you want your world to look like the photo above. And wouldn’t that be lovely? It sure beats concrete and bare dirt.

How to Be an Eco-Friendly Bride

As you’ve probably already discovered, it’s not all that difficult to have an eco-friendly wedding.  Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

• Have invitations and other paper necessities printed on recycled paper.
• Choose a caterer who uses locally grown food in season.
• Use organically grown flowers or potted plants.
• Look online for eco-friendly wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses.
• Take this opportunity to grow wildflower gardens near and far by giving your guests seed wedding favors.

Seed Favor Styles

Small wildflower seed packets can be very elegant and personalized. The seed packet at the right includes a verse of your choice and a colorful ribbon to match your decor, imprinted with your names and the wedding date.

Plantables (left) are also popular eco-favors. They come in a variety of styles and colors, and when your guests take them home, they simply put the favor in the ground, water it and watch their wildflower garden grow.

These elaborate wildflower seed bags on the right have a beautiful flower applique and the personalization options include a photo op for you and your groom.

There’s a song that asks, “What kind of world do you want?” If part of your answer is a planet full of flowers,  you can help make it happen with “seedy” favors at your wedding!

If you’re an eco-conscious bride who’s planning an ultra-green wedding, you’ll fall in love with this idea. I know I did. How about giving your guests reusable grocery bags as wedding favors? How cool is that? I think the reason most people don’t use eco-friendly grocery transports is because they don’t want to spend the money, but if you give them one, I bet they’ll use it. To make this planet-saving favor go with your decor, just roll it up and tie it with ribbon that matches your color scheme. Is it the height of elegance? Probably not, but it’s a thank-you gift that helps your guests do wonders for the world.

If you like the idea of green favors, but you want something a little smaller and, well, elegant, here are two ideas that will beautify your surroundings—at your wedding reception and beyond. The”Love Grows” Plantable, Heart-Shaped Wildflower favor (left) creates colorful gardens wherever your guests plant them. Same for the popular Personalized Eco-Friendly Wedding Favor Bag (right,) which gives you a number of design choices to coordinate with your wedding decor. No matter what environmentally sound wedding favor you choose, you’re sure to feel good about it!

When it comes to weddings, there’s going green, and then there’s GOING GREEN. Seriously eco-conscious brides and grooms are moving toward making that point in an unmistakeable way. They’re going way beyond just the organic food and eco-friendly favors. They’re finding organic farms that will accommodate their wedding ceremony and reception. Sounds like a romantic way to save the earth, doesn’t it?

BRIDEZILLAS BEWARE!

Organic-farm weddings are not for the faint-of-heart. These farms are often in remote areas with less-than-moderate quarters for family and friends, so be prepared to do what it takes to make your guests as comfortable as possible. The weekend guests at a Mendicino County, CA farm wedding discovered bats in their cabin. You’ll have to be prepared for iffy electricity and plumbing, a runaway chicken or pig (but that’s what makes it different, and fun!) Organic farms vary in their accommodations, so check out a few to see what they offer.

ARE YOU GREEN IN THE EXTREME?

Maybe. Maybe not. These venues, like Harland’s Creek Farm in North Carolina, are for people who love the outdoors, have a close connection with the land, a deep concern for the planet and are willing to be somewhat flexible. You’ll decorate with seasonal flowers from their gardens, picnic and party in the shade of venerable trees and feast on food fresh from a certified organic farm.

Meat dishes are available at many farms, but that would be your call. Each dish will be prepared with freshly picked produce and fresh-cut herbs—hearty vegetable soups, crisp salads, amazing vegetable casseroles, just-baked breads.  Makes your mouth water simply thinking about it.

WEDDING FAVORS THAT FIT THE OCCASION
Clearly, GOING GREEN to the extreme means that eco-friendly options are selected for every aspect of your wedding, and My Wedding Favors has you covered when it comes to green guest appreciation. Send them home with  meaningful, Personalized, Eco-Friendly Wildflower Wedding Favor Bags (left,) which come in several colors and personalization designs to match any decor. A rustic favorite that would go perfectly with the ambience of a farm is the “Earth and Light” Twig Votive (right.) Believe me, your family and friends will get the message, and you’ll leave for your honeymoon knowing you made a difference in your children’s future.