Engaged couples are getting more creative with their wedding plans. Traditional weddings are still commonplace, but recently, the desire to have a green wedding is gaining ground.
The Dress
The bride didn’t wear white? Perhaps it’s because traditional white wedding gowns are major environmental pollutants. Chlorine bleach and other toxins are used to dye the gowns in brilliant white or ivory shades.
You can hire a dressmaker to create an organic wedding dress from unbleached fabrics like bamboo, organic cotton, and hemp fibers. Green fabrics typically have ‘natural’ or off-white colors.
For something old, eco-friendly brides may choose dresses handed down from their mothers and grandmothers. They can also rummage through their own closet or borrow a dress from a girlfriend. Another green option is to purchase a reasonable priced, previously worn (or never worn) gown at a bridal boutique, secondhand store, or online retailer.
Invitations
Sending invitations by mail produces high carbon counts. But sending invitations, RSVP responses, and thank-you notes electronically is not only free - it eliminates the need for stamps and paper goods. To make email correspondences more attractive visually, use a background color and a stylish handwriting font.
Printed invitations made from 100% recycled, tree-free papers are readily available in unlimited designs from stationary stores and online wedding accessory retailers, or you can even make your own invitations to save more money.
Flowers
Opt for organic flowers grown by local florists. Inexpensive alternatives include picking your bouquet from the backyard, pulling wildflowers along the roadside, buying floral arrangements at a farmers market, or even reusing silk flowers
The Venue
Carbon-conscious couples, and their guests, may prefer venues that host the nuptials and the reception in the same place to reduce travel and environmental footprints. The great outdoors is an ideal location.
For instance, imagine a picturesque wedding ceremony held in a natural setting like a charming country estate, a botanical garden, an organic farm, state park, or winery. An outdoor wedding also cuts electricity use by saving on power from lighting and air conditioning.
For an indoor green wedding, choose a venue like an eco-friendly hotel, museum, historic building, or a chapel – anywhere that responsible living is practiced.
Food
What eco-friendly wedding would be complete without organic food produced from local farms? Vegetarian or vegan menus do make healthier choices. Further, plant-based foods require little or no packing material, unlike that of meat products.
Instead of serving hard liquor, choose an organic wine bar or organic juice bar made from freshly squeezed fruits. Wedding meals are better served plated (rather than buffet style) in order to cut down on food wastes.
Wedding Favors
Wedding favors should undoubtedly suit the wedding theme. Ideas for green wedding favors include organic bar soaps,
naturally scented 
candles, handmade jewelry, organic treats, chocolate, and tree seedlings. Presenting guests with a miniature trees as a wedding favor provides lasting memories of the wedding, but also, once planted, the trees helps save Mother Earth and support sustainable agriculture.
The Honeymoon
The final step in planning an eco-friendly wedding ends with the honeymoon. Skip the exotic honeymoon overseas in favor of a getaway close to home. A winery, as a wedding venue, is also an ideal spot to enjoy a honeymoon.
Spending time hiking nature trails, horseback riding, kayaking, or enjoying the pleasures at a green spa, are also responsible ways couples can protect the planet as they start their lives together.
Picture Credit
Soap: http://www.flickr.com/photos/soapylove/698399170/
Flowers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34985516@N03/3425182080/