Times are changing and many people are now looking for alternatives to the waste that comes from traditional weddings to a more eco friendly ways of doing things. Also by being eco friendly you can also save money as well as the planet!

Fortunately there are lots of web sites out there and suppliers of eco friendly products to help you on your way.

Here are a few tips from us on eco friendly weddings:

Rather than buy a dress that you will only use once, hire one or buy from a charity shop. The latter option not only keeps your costs down, saves the planet but also helps the charity.

For the accessories, again you can buy from local charity shops or borrow from your friends (something borrowed is traditional), alternately source jewellery from someone who can offer fair trade products or recycled items. Finally have a go at making your own if you are creative, it would certainly be unique.

You want to look fantastic on your day and being eco friendly should not stop that, simply try to source.

For the stationery you are open to endless options, from recycled paper based ones to online e-invites (some of the latter are free from sites such as http://www.evite.com).

For the wedding cake, as the person who is making it to ensure that they use free range eggs and fair trade ingredients where ever possible.

For the flowers, use seasonal ones and preferably locally grown ones .

For the venue and entertainment try staying local, this keeps everyone’s travelling costs down. Try to find a venue that uses fair-trade/organic/locally produced food and if you having a small affair and getting outside caterers in again look for local ones who can offer local items.

For the venue decoration try to hire rather than buy and then throw away.

If you have a number of people coming from one location try to arrange for a mini bus to save on the cars and also this allows everyone to safely have a drink or two!

Transport to and from the church – go for a horse and cart – very eco friendly! Alternately, try to find a car that runs on LPG or bio diesel.

The honeymoon for the eco friendly generally means no air travel and there are great options at home that you have for romance. If however you do want to go somewhere exotic then most airlines give you the option to offset and there are travel companies that specialise in ethical holidays. If you fancy something different try a volunteering holiday!

Wedding presents, if you already have a home together and don’t really need household items then request plants/trees if you have a garden or have donations made to a charity of your choice. If you are setting up home and there are items that you need then try to set wedding lists from ethical companies.

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