We’ve discussed in the second part how you can plan a green
wedding including invitation, attire, reception, flowers, décors, gifts and
parties. Finally, we will look into food, ceremony, jewelry, makeup,
photography, favors, transportation and honeymoon. For food, the emphasis is on
choosing the best catering services in Philippines. Again, here are some practicalities that will keep your sanity
and creativity at the same time.
Food
Food can affect the sustainability of any green wedding. One
of the common practices is having local growers as food suppliers, thereby
eliminating the amount of chemicals used in producing and the amount of
emissions released in transporting.
Green caterers frequently have contacts with local suppliers
whom they can work with in adding organic elements on the food where possible.
Some couples request their caterers to customize the menu and make it more
vegan or vegetarian.
Find the wedding caterer who can pick the best seasonal
fruits and ingredients for you because you might not be able to taste test them
ahead of time. Local produce needs lesser fridge time and lesser packaging thereby producing
lesser wastage.
The same goes with the wedding cake wherein organic,
in-season ingredients are used in reducing chemical use further. So, there is
no need for the cake to travel miles to the wedding reception, reducing carbon
footprint in the process. Don’t use plastic toppers. Choose fruits or flowers
instead.
If there are leftovers, couples may choose to have them
composted. Untouched foods are also donated to a homeless shelter locally.
Ceremony
Regardless of wedding, ceremonial paraphernalia are used. In
the Philippines, weddings are not complete without rings, arrhae, candles,
veils and cords. Veils and cords used can be made from organic fibers while the
candles are made from beeswax.
Red carpets are usually used in local weddings although some
couples may choose a personally-designed aisle runner. The runner can be made
from organic cloth as well.
Jewelry
Wedding rings are a must. They are symbolically important. Blood
or conflict diamonds are a big no-no. These are the diamonds mined in conflict
areas. Instead, couples often consider buying from eco-conscious jewelers that
use recycled metals and stones in their rings. Some jewelers strictly enforce
the use of ethically sourced diamonds and other gems. These are sustainable
luxuries that you cannot afford to miss on your wedding.
Other less expensive options are re-fashioned family
heirlooms or antique jewels for a wedding ring or buying handcrafted rings. These
are the most common choices not just for wedding rings, but also for engagement
rings.
There are couples who opt to wear wooden wedding bands in
place of metal bands.
Makeup
On average, a lipstick wearer absorbs 4 lbs. of lipstick
over her entire lifetime. Cosmetics, like lipsticks and other makeups, have
toxic chemicals in them. Instead, use all-natural beauty products for the bride
and bridesmaids. Organic hair products should be also used.
Some brides seek out local green salons for her wedding day
to style and makeup the female members of the entourage.
Photography
Green photographers who use rechargeable batteries, 100%
recycled photo papers, non-toxic inks and LED or CFL bulbs are a good choice.
Finally, you may also ask your families and friends to bring
a digicam with them. Just make sure they will share the photos perhaps on
Flickr, Snapfish or even Facebook. In this way, you don’t have to hire several
photographers.
Favors
Favors are trinkets that some guests may choose to throw to
the garbage bin. Instead, couples choose to make a small donation in the name
of their guests to an advocacy. You may give your guest a choice of charities
to donate.
Some weddings, on the other hand, opt for non-wasteful
favors such as seedlings or mini potted window or table plants, echoing the
values of the wedding. Couples may also choose to plant a tree and name it
after a guest.
Other options are homemade jams, gourmet organic chocolates,
bags of dried or fresh organic herbs, organic coffee or tea, reusable bags and
organic soaps and other skin care products. Make sure the containers are
reusable also.
Transportation
Transportation to and fro the church to the venue is another
must for weddings. Typically, the couples arrive in cars and guests travel
separately. Cars are a leading contributor of air pollution.
Some to-be-weds decide to hold their ceremony and reception
at the same place or close to one another (as in walking distance) so there’s
no need for frequent transports. There are couples who chose to transport their
guests in batch through alternative energy buses.
There are couples who arrange carpools to travel from an
agreed place to the church and then to the venue. This minimizes emission while
having them acquainted with one another in a less yet fun way.
Honeymoon
About 99% of the newlyweds in the US will go to a honeymoon.
The choice of honeymoon destination can also reduce the impact. For instance,
newlyweds may choose ecologically sensitive areas. They may also go to
eco-tourism options. They may choose green hotels or accommodations such as
family-operated bed and breakfast or lodging inn that opt to help in conserving
resources. Both of you are going to spend most of your time in the hotel
anyway.
Couples ensure that what they are spending will go to the
local economy by choosing local vacation options instead of traveling abroad. Choose
a location where people and environment will benefit because of that choice.
Whether it’d be in the Philippines or elsewhere, there are
various ways to have a green wedding minus the need to sacrifice style and
elegance. Eco-friendly weddings are like your traditional weddings without the
waste. All aspects of a wedding have sustainable options to consider during
planning. Whether you want an earth-friendly element in a wedding or two or go
completely green from the decors to the foods, remember going green always
makes a difference.
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