Happy Earth Day

In honor of Earth Day I wanted to post more tips of how couple's in the Bay area are planning on making their weddings more environmentally friendly...

To avoid additional air travel and the GHG associated with it, we are honeymooning right in the park [they are getting married in Yosemite] – we will be going on a 4 day backpacking trip through the high Sierra mountains in Yosemite.

I bought my dress from www.Bridesagainstbreastcancer.org . The dresses that they sell have been donated by former brides. Proceeds from the sale go towards breast cancer research. Bonus, I collected dresses from friends and donated them to the event when I attended.

Our caterers use local and organic ingredients for the majority of the menu. The fish that we have selected is approved by the Monterey Bay Aquarium as a sustainable fishery and the chicken is free-range organic. All of the vegetables are from local farms and independent farmers.

Our “favors” and table assignments will be beeswax candles in small candle holders with the guests name and table on it – when people take them to their tables, they will serve double duty as table décor!

We plan on using disposable organic and compostable palm leaf dinnerware.

Using seasonal, locally grown flowers as well as incorporate as
many native Nor Cal plants as we can.

Using potted plants.

I'm making a shrug to keep warm that will be made out of recycled white and ivory-colored wool sweaters that I will felt in the washing machine.

On our wedding website, we will have options for gift-giving through a charity registry (giving donations in our name to some groups that we have supported or worked with in the past).

I wanted to find some unique re-purposed containers for the flowers, so we're in the process of finding a number of vintage silver-plated teapots, pitchers, and creamers/sugar bowls to use as vases for our centerpiece flowers and containers for floating candles or single blooms. I love tea -- it was one of the major pleasures of living in England for me -- and serving tea also figures very prominently in the Chinese wedding ceremony, so we are happy that we're able to incorporate some element of meaning into our centerpieces. After the wedding, we'll recycle the whole set of containers by offering them to some other local bride or event planner who might find use for them at their event.

[We are using a caterer that uses] 100% organic produce & meats and beverages, uses a bio-diesel powered vehicle to transport food, compost all scraps and recycle everything else, will donate a portion of proceeds to the Arbor Day foundation.

We will rent a hybrid to shuttle people around West Marin so they don't have to drive.

Using soywax candles instead of paraffin wax.

In an effort to find a gown that matches my values, I am scouring eBay and resale shops and websites for a ‘pre-owned’ or sample sale gown. It’s tough to find the right size and style together. If I end up buying a new gown, I will be seeking a natural fiber gown, made in the US or Europe without sweatshop labor. I plan to give my gown a second or third life by donating it to Brides Against Breast Cancer so they can use it in their fund-raising sales.

It would be scandalous if I had a post without a picture. Here is a image that I shot while Tucker and I made our way down the Oregon Coast last month....