Here's how to select greener wedding vendors for your big day. It's a growing trend that more and more professionals are getting on board with.
With engaged couples becoming more educated about the global impact of weddings on the environment, the movement toward planning sustainable or “green” weddings continues to grow. After all, with more eco-friendly choices for couples than ever before, it’s easier to make greener choices without sacrificing beauty and elegance.
However, with all the “green talk” out there, how can you be sure you are getting an authentic sustainable product or service? It doesn’t hurt to just ask a few simple questions, which we have outlined for you below.
Some vendors will be “greener” than others and it’s really a personal choice as to which is the best fit for you. Either way, planning a green wedding is an inspiring and creative experience that you can feel good about.
What is a "Green" Business?
According to Green America:
“Green businesses operate in ways that solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems. These businesses adopt principles, policies, and practices that improve the quality of life for their customers, their employees, communities, and the environment.”
The same holds true for businesses in the wedding industry. In fact, with approximately 2.5 million weddings in the US every year, there’s a huge impact on the planet and it becomes even more important for vendors to implement environmentally responsible business practices.
Questions to evaluate Green Vendors:
· Does the company clearly outline its environmental and social commitments on its Web site? You can see an example here for Dream Green Weddings.
· Are they using carbon offsetting through an organization like CarbonFund?
· Ask where the products, food, flowers, etc. are coming from. Are they grown/made in the US, locally, handmade, or organic? It’s important to know where the products are coming from and how they are made.
· Are products made from sustainable or organic materials? For example, a wedding dress made from hemp or wedding favors hand-made from biodegradable birdseed—no plastic, please!
· Is the company incorporating sustainable practices into its everyday business operations? This can include recycling, composting, CFL lights, biodegradable cleaning products, energy saving appliances, office in a green building, energy and water conservation, and using recycled paper products.
· Is the company donating to a charity or giving back to its local community?
· If the vendor ships, are they using recycled or biodegradable shipping supplies?
· Has the company received any certifications from organizations such as Green America, Fair Trade Federation membership, organic certifications, or Green Seal?
Pre-Screened Green Wedding Vendors at Your Fingertips
The most comprehensive resource for finding local and online green wedding vendors is the Green Bride Guide’s Vendor Directory. Developed by Kate L. Harrison, author of The Green Bride Guide, this online directory features every type of vendor you need to plan a green wedding.
Through an exclusive five-leaf rating system, vendors are evaluated/screened on several green practices that help to determine their “shade” of green. You can search by category, location, and even their “leaf” ratings or “greenness.” This is the closest to a green wedding standard for vendors in the industry today.
Keep in mind that planning a green wedding is not an “all-or-nothing” concept. By just making a few eco-friendly choices and/or selecting a few green vendors, you can lessen the environmental footprint of your special day, and still make a difference.
Shop Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors!
Heather Teague is the founder of Dream Green Weddings, an online eco-wedding boutique that features all eco-friendly wedding specialties from favors to decor and Fair Trade jewelry. Her company is an "Approved Green Bride Guide" vendor and she was recently featured in "Hot, Rich & Green," a book with inspiring stories about women who have started green businesses.
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