Green With Envy
Photographer(s): Jen Curtis Photography
With 2.5 million weddings in the U.S. each year, if each bride made just one green choice, it would make a big difference. "Flowers are the most pesticide-laden crop that comes into the country," says Kate Harrison, Author of The Green Bride Guide.
Instead of imported blooms, substitute local, seasonal flowers whenever possible. Most weddings are in the spring and summer, meaning there are likely to be tons of seasonal blooms you can use that are grown within a few miles of your wedding venue. Talk to your florist about what you can get locally, and be flexible-conditions may require some last-minute substitutions.
Though there may be a few imperfections on local flowers, they do tend to last longer. Emily Anderson, author of Eco-Chic Weddings, also suggests looking at flower alternatives, such as paper and fabric flowers (etsy.com is a great source for these), or building centerpieces around reusable or recycled components instead-think evergreen topiaries or other live plants, river stones, or fruit in vintage containers, for example.
What are your ideas for a green wedding?
