TYING THE KNOT WITH NATURE

Most people cringe at the mere sound of the term "environmental", and one could only imagine the reaction when it is used side by side with the word "wedding". Usually, being co-friendly creates a sordid reaction together with a picture of people forming picket lines of "Save the whales!" After all, it's quite unusual to see a bride with roses made of recycled paper instead of tulips made from, well, nature. Today, however, a new trend known as "green weddings" is already forming where the walk down the aisle can be truly "natural" for the bride, the groom, and the Mother Earth, and not to mention, your pocket too.

1. First Things First - "THE" Dress and Ring
According to Ruth Culver, the first Green Wedding Planner in U.K., one of the best ways in making it "green" with the wedding outfit is to borrow from friends or buy used ones off the internet that are of quality. Obviously, this might not suit well with those who expect their 'something borrowed' not to be the dress they're wearing for the big day, so instead, Culver suggests 'eco-designers'. They are a new generation of fashion designers intent upon creating gowns made up of ethical fabrics such as hemp and reclaimed silk, among others. More importantly, they are able to provide the concept of reusability in their creations. The fabrics are considered to be ethical when they are not grown or made with the use of pesticides or with human rights concerns.
For engagement/wedding rings, the "eco" way to go is to discuss ethical stones with the jeweler and have them commissioned. Visiting antique shops and art shows are also another means of finding that perfect ring, as well as the use of recycled gold or fair trade silver. If diamonds, on the other hand, are your definite chosen style, then making sure that they are entirely disassociated with war zones and insurgent armies like those in Africa is the right way to avoid 'conflict'. Sellers of conflict-free diamonds can be readily checked on sites such that of Green Carat's.

2. Serving Up The Plate - Food and Drinks
When it comes to feeding guests, going organic is the only way - so the enthusiasts say. But if the greenery is just too much for the taste buds, then Culver suggests an emphasis on the use of local seasonal food. These are the ones grown near the location of the wedding, like the mangoes for Zambales, or the broccoli and carrots for La Trinidad. The planner can also opt to buy the local wines and spirits, like our country's own lambanog or the honeybee wine from Albay, both of which are organic. This way, the trouble of transporting all that food and beverage will be kept at a minimum, and thus the cost savings. At the same time, you will be able to boost like a little of that local economy.

3. Presents
People don't usually really have the liberty of choice when it comes to wedding presents, and that's probably why bridal registry has become an essential part in the hitching process. Couples can incorporate in their list earth-friendly products like organic cotton skirt and hemp products, or even plants, trees, and garden vouchers for the green-thumbed. Another popular option emerging is to ask guests to donate to the couple's chosen charities, instead of the perennial will-never-take-it-out-of-the-box china. This alternative can be accessed through various websites offering the service, like Good Gifts Catalog and Wedding List Giving.

4. Accessorize - Green Style
Weddings are never complete without the little details such as confetti, flowers and photos. Linseed, a type of bird food, is an alternative for the colorful bits of paper or rice. Couples could also go for the biodegradable sort of confetti, as they are also readily available in the market. For decoration, one couple in Britain decided to use potted plants as their wedding garnish instead of cut flowers, and replanted them in their garden afterwards. Culver reiterates the use of these plants as either giveaways or souvenirs. As for the wedding shots, digital photography is the current rage. Digital is more preferable than the throw-away cameras because the latter usually end up in land fills anyway, and they use more paper. Might as well take advantage of cutting-edge technology, right?

5. The Honeymoon
Destinations that do not require your frequent flier miles are preferred, but if you really have to have that European tour for your honeymoon, then you might take trains or ships as substitutes. Another "green" option for the lovebirds is to practice responsible travel. According to Responsible Travel's website, responsible travel is travel that benefits travelers, hosts, and their environment. These do not have to be all about nature and conservation. It only reinforces consciousness and local tourism, much like what the WOW Philippines project offers to travelers.


Having the prefix "eco" attached to the idea of wedding bell chimes might really start to dampen the mood of any bride on their Big Day, but going environmental doesn't really mean having to have everything Do-It-Yourself (DIY), organic, or eco-friendly. All it means is for us to be considerate of others and the future, so they might have the wedding of their dreams as well.