According to the latest issue of Vows Magazine – “going green is one of the hottest new wedding trends”. Some common ways to make your special day more eco-friendly is:

• Using paper products, like invitations, made of recycled materials.
• Offer group transportation, preferably in a hybrid vehicle to your guests.
• Serve locally grown produce and organic foods at your reception.
• Donate leftover food and materials rather than throwing them out.
• Use flowers that haven’t been treated with pesticides or herbicides.
• Recycle family jewelry and/or wedding attire.
• Select local vendors and/or those stores committed to green business practices.*

*Bravo! is helping you by listing our “green” clients with green sidebars, these are certified or award winners, in our 2009 Wedding Resource Guide. If you don’t have your copy yet – click here for a list of locations.

Be sure and ask questions of all the vendors you are working with. Questions such as “how green is your business/store currently?” or “what do you do to make your company eco-friendly”.

Remember you can recycle your wedding gown too – there are several organizations that resell donated bridal gowns to support charitable efforts, such as Brides Against Breast Cancer (next show is Mar. 27-29 in Seattle at the Quest Field Event Center) and the I Do Foundation, which allows you to make a donation (instead of party favors) in their honor or you can create a “charitable registry” in addition to your standard registry giving your guests the option to donate to your favorite charity.