Wedding Style: Eco-Chic

An environmentally-friendly wedding is easier to plan than you think. Check out these cool and sustainable ideas. (expert advice)

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When it comes to an eco-chic wedding, some couples have found plenty of new and inventive ways to host the environmentally conscious wedding of their dreams in style. Whether it's using recycled inks to spread the word of your nuptials or hosting a vegetarian reception dinner, consider the following suggestions for planning your very own eco-chic wedding event.

The Bride

The eco-chic wedding bride doesn’t mind a recycled dress – her mother's gown, a vintage shop steal, or the illustrious hammy-down of an older sister. She may choose to wear the dress 'as is' or add her own personal touches. An eco-chic bride is one who has made a commitment to the environment and she understands that enjoying one of the most important days of her life doesn’t have to place a strain on natural resources or leave behind a carbon footprint.

The Dress and Accessories

Embracing earth-friendly fabrics is a priority for eco-chic brides, who often browse organic cotton, linen, and silk selections. When shopping for an eco-chic wedding dress, keep in mind that brides usually gravitate towards natural fibers. I've seen gorgeous hemp-satin gowns on the Internet that you might want to check out. Another alternative is to locate an uncomplicated white dress with alteration potential, and then accessorize with shells, wooden beads, and other natural elements for an ensemble you can wear again.

Eco-chic wedding accessories often involve borrowed trinkets, usually jewelry box finds at Grandma's house. Additional ideas include:

• Coconut rings (lightweight and unique)
• Wooden bracelets
• Recycled metals
• Tagua handcrafts (vegetable ivory)
• One-of-a-kind sea glass creations
• Bamboo necklaces 

Common Settings and Décor

Botanical gardens and parent's backyards are typical choices for the couple that wishes to exchange vows in the great outdoors. However, go one step further by checking out sites (like state parks and nature preserves) that actually donate proceeds to eco-friendly charities. Also, remember that an eco-chic wedding that takes advantage of daylight helps cut down on electricity use, so plan for an early start. To accommodate evening receptions, opt for candlelight – preferably soy candles, which burn cleaner and longer than traditional wax.

When browsing potential floral arrangements for an eco-chic wedding, give preference to organic or locally grown selections, which eliminate the need for long-distance transport of flowers. If you have the time, you can always grow your own. Dried or silk flowers serve as inexpensive eco-friendly alternatives that also leave a bit of wiggle room for your overall budget. Other eco-chic wedding suggestions include:

• Use biodegradable dishes and flatware
• Outfit reception tables with bamboo bowls and recycled glass centerpieces
• Decorate with natural objects (like leaves, twigs, branches, and berries)
• Hand out live evergreen tree seedlings as wedding favors
• Present invitations printed on recycled paper that use soy inks

Photos by Union Photography

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