A bride with a hydrangea bouquet and vegan menu, hosting an event at an eco-retreat? People using their weddings as a political platform to further their own progressive agendas? Sounds like the New York Times got wind of my wedding!
… Oh wait, no they didn't. They just finally noticed the increasing number of couples who are planning green eco-weddings, which they feature in today's article, How Green Was My Wedding.
It's a decent article, profiling couples who are creatively finding ways to minimize the ecological impact of their wedding days. I especially appreciate the couple who points out that they had to make some sacrifices so that they could stay within their budget, inviting less people so they could afford to feed their guests an organic meal.
The article seems to ignore the "reduce, reuse, recycle" aspect of environmentalism, focusing on green products couples can buy instead of suggesting that couples take the truly radical step of just buying less.
That said, I definitely get concerned when I see wedding trend articles that lay yet another financial concern on engaged couples, yet another way in which brides can whip themselves into a frenzy. "I must have tea candles on every table — and they must be SOY CANDLES!" How about just skipping the candles? As my friend Esther pointed out, it's a little frustrating that the article seems to ignore the "reduce, reuse, recycle" aspect of environmentalism, focusing on green products couples can buy instead of suggesting that couples take the truly radical step of just buying less.
Going green can simply mean going more expensive, and it’s important to pick your priorities to avoid convincing yourself you simply MUST spend a small fortune. Then again, if you’re spending that small fortune supporting organic farmers and eco-conscious vendors, it’s probably money well-spent.
And regardless of how you go green, as one engaged woman in the article noted, using your wedding as an opportunity to make an political/environmental point is "a huge opportunity for people to make choices that can affect change. It’s one of the biggest contributions you can make as a young adult." In other words, if you're going to stress about your wedding, it's better to freak out over its ecological impact than, say, whether the tulle on the back of the chairs matches your shoes.
That said, I think we may have out-greened even the New Yorkers with our wedding — did they have composting toilets?! I think not!
PS: Here are a few offbeat eco-wedding links for ya.
Comments on "Green eco-weddings in the NY Times"
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Esther
February 12th, 2007 · 2:19 PM · #
I like how they hold up as an example one couple who's having a *barbecue* (ummm, not the most emissions-friendly thing ever!) at an organic farm then a reception at a golf course. GOLF COURSE? Those are the most unenvironmentally friendly places ever! Yeah, organic food is nice and all, but it's one of those things that's equally self serving (because hey, you're not pumping carcinogenic crap in your body) as it is selflessly 'environmental.'
Lizvi
February 13th, 2007 · 6:20 AM · #
I really disliked the article. As you mentioned, they really left out the idea of using less. Using plastic silverware even if it is biodegradable doesn't seem more environmentally friendly to me than using silverware. Having a destination wedding for many guests is never very environmentally friendly. I guess it isn't that exciting to point out that just doing less, scaling down, no favors instead of "environmentally friendly" favors is more green. Also we are planning a low budget wedding. They mentioned that you can go with an organic caterer for 20% more. 20% more than what? We are having Mexican food. I have a feeling that an organic provider would cost 150% more than we are spending. Someone told me about sustainable weddings early in the planning process, but I couldn't figure out how to work that in. We are having potted plants instead of cut flowers on the tables. It is at a park, close to most of the guests (and we have to come in from overseas). I am not sure what we could do to make any significant environmental effect.
My personal pet peeve in the article–they are asking for donations to charity as wedding gifts. I think it is very tacky to request gifts at all. Plus the idea of wedding gifts is to help the new couple establish their new life together, not to give them "the day of their lives" or "their hearts' desire." Better not to say anything, and then if you feel strongly about not accepting gifts, return whatever you receive and make a donation to charity yourselves, instead of preaching to well meaning guests.
Offbeat Bride | Rethinking green weddings
February 22nd, 2008 · 4:02 AM · #
[...] Emphazing the "REDUCE" part of the reduce, reuse, recycle equation [...]
Krista
February 22nd, 2008 · 6:49 AM · #
Lizvi,
My fiance and I decided a while ago to request no commercially bought gifts in the section of our wedding website where you would normally list your registrations. Since the tradition of the wedding gift started to help you get set up in your new life together, we thought it was silly to have people buy us stuff that we don't need. We are going to have a money tree at the reception (a family/community tradition where I grew up) and split the money between wedding expenses and charity. We will also list preferred charities in case guests want to donate directly. This was decided independently of "green weddings" and was a response to people asking us where we are going to register. While I am not sure if this is tacky or not, part of being an offbeat bride is making your own traditions, I think
Also, a lot of our more "green" decisions so far comes from trying to save money and reduce consumption than anything else.
I see these huge "eco" weddings and events that are anything but.
akasha
February 22nd, 2008 · 7:20 AM · #
i was just musing on this subject a few nights ago, wondering if in some ways it's just as useful to plan a low-budget wedding as it is to spend thousands on eco-friendly products. glad to see i'm not totally off-base!
Steph
February 22nd, 2008 · 8:17 AM · #
as one engaged woman in the article noted, using your wedding as an opportunity to make an political/environmental point is “a huge opportunity for people to make choices that can affect change. It’s one of the biggest contributions you can make as a young adult.”
And what about us not-so-young adults? Thanks, engaged woman.
Remember the REDUCE part of the equation? at BluePlanetWedding.com’s Green and Ethical Wedding Blog
February 26th, 2008 · 8:54 AM · #
[...] at the excellent Offbeat Bride blog: "…I definitely get concerned when I see wedding trend articles that lay yet another [...]