Simple gestures can mean big savings for you and the earth. Here are five of our favorite easy and cost-effective ways to "go green" on your Big Day.
Spare a Tree Create a Web site with event details so guests can print only the information they need or want, like the weekend itinerary or directions. The majority of the paper used for wedding invitations comes from virgin pulp sourced from endangered forests. By simply eliminating costly invitation inserts, you'll save at least 25% and preserve the carbon-absorbing power of countless trees.
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 | 5 quick ways to save money and the earth on your wedding day |
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 | 10 easy ways to save on organic flower arrangementsFrom buying in bulk to re-using petals for a fairy tale send-off, here are 10 of our favorite ways to save on flowers (Hint: they’re all eco-friendly, too!). Go Native Trade expensive, imported flowers for native plants. You can find beautiful options, like lily of the valley, larkspur and hydrangea, in your own backyard (literally!) and avoid the more than $2000 most people spend on store-bought flowers. Even if you hire a professional to arrange your picked flowers, you’ll still save around $50 per bouquet. more >> |
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 | top choicesCustom-designed, Ken and Barbie-style cake toppers are nice, but vintage findings can add an extra layer of interest and meaning to your wedding confection. Plus the creativity you put into sourcing them ensures they’ll scream “You!” more loudly than anything you could buy new. Experiment with beloved miniature stuffed animals or dolls dressed in his and hers costumes (a great way to recycle leftover fabric), shells from a special beach trip, old crystal baubles, even bells and assorted buttons—they all look lovely atop a cake. For a more ironic twist, a cute, matching pair of salt-and-pepper shakers can stand-in for the traditional bride-and-groom duo. more >> |
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 | go localMost flowers bought in the United States travel more than 1700 miles from countries like China and Ecuador, where growers expose workers and the environment to dangerous pesticides (many of which are banned in the US). Say no to those extra plumes of carbon emissions and cancer-causing toxins, and buy your blooms from the farmers’ market where you’re not charged for shipping and handling—you’ll save up to 40%!more >> |
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 | a diy centerpieceOur inspiration for this fun, but simple project comes to us from the pages of Marie Claire Idées. We love marrying old, discarded objects to create beautiful, new objects (pun intended!). Recycling tea cups, candle sticks and cake plates is about the most charming way there is to salvage yesterday's treasures and by doing so, you'll save as much as 75% of the cost of traditional centerpieces! To get the look, follow these simple steps: |
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 | diy hair combsGlittering hair jewels… nearly nothing makes a girl feel prettier! Create your own hair piece by assembling vintage brooches to hair combs or headbands…. you need little more than jewelry wire and glue. We love this colorful, standout piece, but a monochromatic head topper is just as sweet (think pearls and clear stones). |
