What is a "green" wedding?

A green wedding is any wedding where the couple tries to decrease the impact of their event on the planet - and there are many ways to do it! Every part of a wedding has eco-friendly options worth considering.  Use the products section and green wedding directory on this site to explore hundreds of green alternatives for invitations, flowers, photography and more!

What are the benefits of having a green wedding?

There are many benefits to having a green wedding, but here are three.

(1) The environmental benefits. With 2.5 million wedding a year in the United States the impact is enormous. The average wedding produces 63 tons of CO2 and 400-600 pounds of trash. Anything we can do to decrease the impact of these events makes a difference. 

(2) The social benefits. The average wedding costs almost $40,000 and weddings are a $60+ billion industry. When you start talking to vendors about green choices, and explain your choices to your guests, you support the green economy and change the way people in your community think. Your wedding is an opportunity to showcase how easy it is to be eco-chic and to share your favorite eco-friendly products with your guests. 

(3) The economic benefits. Being green usually saves you money - which in today's economy is probably reason enough to do it! By making simple substitutions and eco-conscious decisions, like choosing a location central to the majority of your guests, it is easy to decrease your impact on the planet and the cost of your event simultaneously. 

Are conventional weddings really that bad for the environment?

There are 2.5 million weddings a year in the United States, with an average of more than 150 guests each.  When you add up all of the stuff that goes into weddings (single-use bleached white dresses, chemically treated imported flowers, toxic makeup and skin care products, mined gem-based jewelry, individual packets of rice, etc.) you see that the environmental impact from these events is enormous.

For example, if every wedding this year used a disposable aisle runner and they were laid end to end, they would circle the globe twice! Similarly, the amount of paper used to make invitations could cover the island of Manhattan. The bottom line is that every green choice makes a difference - no matter how small.

Are green weddings more expensive?

No! This is a myth we are working hard to dispel.  By buying local seasonal flowers, using recycled elements, and incorporating things you and your friends already own into your decor you can save you up to 40% of your wedding!  For more information see "Save $11,000+ on Your Wedding by Going Green."

Does planning a green wedding take more work?

No! You have to make all of the decisions anyway. You have to choose invitations, and napkins, and what you will wear, and so all that it takes to plan a green wedding when you boil it down is keeping the environmental impact of those choices in mind as you decide. In some ways it can be easier to plan a green wedding, because it can limit the realm of choices to a more manageable number.  For example, there are probably 1,000,000 invitation designs, and only 10,000 eco-friendly invitation options. As ten thousand is more than most couples want to look through anyway, it can make the task easier. Plus - with the Green Bride Guide and the Green Wedding Directory, everything you need is in one convenient location!

With so many companies claiming to be green, how can I avoid greenwashing?

This is a significant problem and not an easy one to solve.  Because "green" is not a regulated term, companies can use it freely, without making significant changes to their products or business practices.   The Green Bride Guide Online screens all of the products and services in our database and provides a vendor leaf rating to help you find the most reliable options. We also encourage couples to seek out certified eco-friendly products (e.g. organic, fair trade, etc.) whenever possible.  

How do we know which green products are "best"?

There are many shades of green and it is often hard to decide which choice is "best."  For example, when you buy organic produce from Chile, you decrease the amount of pesticides and fertilizers used on the earth and increase the demand for sustainably produced food. That's good. But when you buy locally grown conventional produce, it has a smaller carbon footprint, which effects global warming. So that is also good. Experts debate back and forth about which option is better and it is easy to feel overwhelmed and disheartened by the question of which option is the "greenest."  Instead, try to find the choices that are right for you, without worrying too much about what is "best."  The fact that you are thinking about it at all is what maters in the long run.   

What do we do if we can't find green vendors in our area?

It is easier to "go green" in some parts of the country than others, and if you live outside a major metropolitan area, it may be almost impossible to find green vendors.  In the back of The Green Bride Guide you can find worksheets to help you talk to florists, caterers and other service providers in your community about simple changes they can make to help you green your wedding.  For example, even if you don't have an organic baker in town, you can ask your baker to substitute in organic flour, organic milk and cage-free eggs (all available at stores like Wal-Mart) and have a greener cake. When you start talking to vendors about what you want to do, and explain your choices to your guests, you change the way people in your community think about what it means to be green.  You make being green seem possible and help get the word out about sustainable alternatives. Sometimes being green takes creativity and a willingness to be flexible.  Don't be afraid to ask for what you want upfront. Remember, if they say no you are no worse off than you were before.

Will our friends and family understand?

People today are more aware of our impact on the environment than they were even a few years ago.  Although you may get a few odd looks, most friends and family members will support your decision go green.  To skeptics, you can explain that you want to make your wedding day sustainable, because marriage is about confirming your commitment to a long-term future together.   Stepping back and thinking about your actions in the greater context is part of that process.

How do we avoid seeming preachy?

Although it is up to the two of you, it is nice to let your guests know about your green choices.  In addition to being better for the environment, having a green wedding is an opportunity to show friends and family members that you don't have to sacrifice style or comfort to go green.  However, many eco-friendly options look just like their conventional counterparts, so guests won't know they are green unless you tell them.  We suggest including a small blurb on the back of your program, on your website or on the inside of your seating cards explaining what you have done and why. Letting guests know about your choices can also help you realize them.  For example, if they know recycling is important to you they will be more likely to separate out their trash and won't throw away your compostable plates.  

Are you being hypocritical if only a few parts of your wedding are green?

No! If you can't find something, or you don't want to choose the green option at every turn, that is OKAY.  It is called "going green" for a reason - it is a process.  Start with just one thing and go from there.  The more eco-friendly elements you can include the better, but if you have your heart set on a certain dress, or can't convince your caterer to compost, don't feel too bad about it.  If every couple made just one green choice - that would be 2.5 million green choices a year! Do what you can, and know it makes a difference.

What was the inspiration behind The Green Bride Guide and thegreenbrideguide.com?

The Green Bride Guide was the book I wish I had had when my husband Barry and I were planning our wedding in 2006.  What I discovered while we were planning was that there were actually hundreds of eco-friendly wedding products and services available on the market but they were scattered.  I spent hours pouring over magazines, books, and wedding blogs and at the end of the day, collected everything I had found and put it in one place - organized by price so that others could save time, money, and hassle.  I really wanted going green to be as easy as possible. I see this site as an extension of that vision.  My hope is that it will be a marketplace for green wedding ideas and a place where eco-conscious couples and wedding professionals can gather to learn and share from each other.