Eco, ethical, environmental, green, or sustainable weddings; whatever you call them, they are becoming a more common approach to a very special occasion. A wedding is a commitment witnessed by families, communities, and close friends. A wedding also makes a statement. As a couple, you share similar personal values and you want your wedding to reflect your ideals. If being environmentally conscious is an important part of who you are, then go ahead and celebrate the sustainable way, ‘walk the talk’ with your wedding. Implement your principles by engaging in environmentally-sound wedding practices when you can.

 Traditional weddings ask guests to drive from one place to another. If your wedding is on a holiday weekend or located in an ideal vacation spot then traffic can put a damper on the transition from ceremony to reception. Consider a location ideal for both your ceremony and reception. Choose a venue that reflects who you are, a wedding sanctuary that is committed to the environment. By choosing one location for your wedding and reception you greatly reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding. Visit NativeEnergy.com and use their Wedding Carbon Calculator it is a good website to help you better understand and calculate the carbon impact of wedding.

 If you are booking a block of rooms for your guest at a particular Inn or hotel, ask to see if they can provide transportation to your wedding for your guests. If not, check on local sightseeing trolleys or transportation services to make it convenient, comfortable and safe for your celebrating guests. Ah, now here comes the zinger question of all wedding decisions; can we afford it? Your budget is the starting point for planning an event and don’t deny it, your wedding is an event. If you want to make your wedding sustainable and affordable go to a website called costofwedding.com. The website takes a newly engaged couple and walks them through the decision making basics with a handy wedding checklist as a guide.

 ‘Keep it Local’ is a recurring, sustainable wedding motif. Once you’ve decided on your location start looking within the community for talented gourmand businesses and entrepreneurs. The Mt. Washington Valley area restaurants and Inns are noted for their award winning chefs. Take full advantage and find a chef you like and who is also within your budget. A chef worth their salt will be able to fulfill a couples request to keep the menu local, as well. Your search may be doubly rewarding as some restaurants and Inns makes their own beer or wine. Nothing is as unique as a wedding wine or beer brewed especially for your occasion, and you’ve a keepsake bottle with your own label for your guests.

Discuss with your mate the environmental and slightly unusual option of requesting your guests to BYOPS – Bring Your Own Place Setting, which includes a plate, fork and knife. Of course, have some place settings on hand, just in case. Better yet, you can forgo the need for place settings all together and have heavy hors d’oeuvre stations. By having mini food tables all around one can eliminate the commonly structured ‘sit down dinner’ as well as place setting rentals; recycled napkins all the way!

The ultimate in cost savings and a choice that can be perfect for some couples is an intimate wedding potluck. Have your guests bring appetizers, soups, entrees or desserts. It does take planning but this way your friends can be more of a participant in your wedding than just guests. The added beauty with having a potluck wedding is the guests take remaining food and their dishes home when all is done.

Other ECO wedding articles: ECO Weddings for NH Locavores