|
 Wedding planning will be lots of fun, especially as you explore green friendly options. Although, you may soon discover that the number of details to be worked out seems endless - wedding date and location, style or theme, invitations, apparel, vows, music, decorations, photographer, flowers, favours, menu, travel, honeymoon plans…the list goes on!
Follow a timeline, book in for yoga classes, relax and enjoy!
Preparing for your wedding is an exciting journey toward the day when you'll celebrate your love and dedication to one another. It’s also the perfect time to express your personal style - and your commitment to the planet.
By establishing a timeline, you'll find the journey to your special day more relaxed and enjoyable, and you’ll experience a better sense of control over the planning process. If your simplified style doesn’t require all of the activities listed, feel free to modify the schedule according to your personal plan.
Even with a timeline to guide you through, it will still get a bit hectic at times. When this happens, try to relax and keep things in perspective. Remember that it’s not just about the wedding details. It’s ultimately about sharing your lives together beyond the wedding day, so reflect upon the deeper meaning of the occasion that you’re planning.
Also, be aware that this may be a very emotional time for you as well as for your family and friends.
Write yourself a plan to promote health, fitness and happiness. Drink plenty of water, sleep well and choose your foods wisely. Being stressed on your wedding day will not help you glow! Remember to embark slowly on any new exercise plan. Your plan is also important to continue after your wedding.
Congratulations! You are now ready to get started. Best wishes to you for smooth planning, and for a joyful, green, eco-friendly celebration and a wonderful life together!
Planning Timeline
6 to 12 Months Ahead
Think about the style, theme and size of wedding you'd like to have - formal or informal, large or small, daytime or evening - as well as location and time of year. All of these factors will have an impact upon the cost of your celebration.
It is much easier to plan your wedding if you choose a theme.
Beach weddings are popular especially in warmer weather. Some ideas for a beach theme wedding are:
Use natural materials for your wedding favours or bomboniere, shells for place cards
Make full use of the gorgeous backdrop you have - the ocean!
Use a lot of white accented with one bold colour (too many colours will detract from the natural scenery)
Think casual, flirty and breezy
Use flowers with a tropical feel such as orchids
Serve "coloured" food on a white background,green coconuts for drinks
Don't wear shoes with your wedding dress if you don't have to
Set the budget and include everyone in the discussion who will be helping to pay for any part of the event. Decide on a budget that is comfortable for all, and be careful not to buy into the wedding industry's push for excessive consumption. Elegance isn't about spending money - it's about tasteful beauty that is often found in natural simplicity.
Finalize the wedding date. Check the calendar for holidays and other big events that might affect availability of guests and vendors.
Hire a wedding coordinator if you plan to work with one.
Begin compiling your guest list to get a rough head count and organize addresses.With and eco-friendly wedding we reduce - you may have to explain this to Aunt Mary.
Reserve ceremony and reception sites. Consider holding both events at the same location to save money, time, and stress and cuts the emissions that result from having your guests drive between the two.
Choose your wedding party from your special friends and family members.
Shop for your dress and accessories. If your dress will be handmade, shop for fabric and contact a dressmaker if needed.Check our "why choose a green wedding dress" for advice on making earth-friendly fabric choices.
Book a florist or investigate eco-friendly options for bouquets and decorations if local and/or organic flowers will not be available.
Book an officiant.
Reserve a caterer if you plan to hire one, or begin investigating menus and recipes for self-catering.
Showcase green gustatory pleasures (and spoil your guests) by basing your menu around local, organic, and seasonal foods. Don’t forget the organic wine, beer, and spirits, and the free-trade, shade-grown coffee and tea! Some tips:
Ask the venue's preferred caterers and bakers if they can do your event organically.
Find a local organic restaurant that does off-site catering.
If your wedding won't be complete without a specific type of food, get married when it's in season.
Find a caterer you trust to pick the best seasonal selections (since you may not be able to taste those exact items ahead of time).
Consider vegetarian selections and seek out cruelty-free meats and wild, rather than farmed, fish.
Make sure the venue offers comprehensive recycling facilities, and ideally composting too.
Have your cake decorated with organically grown flowers or other natural materials instead of plastic toppers.
Rent real glassware, dishware, and linens instead of using disposables.
Go for a chic eclectic look by mixing and matching thrift-store plates and dishes (and donating them back when you're done).
Use biodegradable utensils and dishes made out of cornstarch, potatoes, wheat, or sugar cane--if your venue can compost them.
Make arrangements to donate leftover food to a local food bank or homeless shelter.
Book photographers, videographers, and musicians, if you plan to use them.
Whether you prefer film or digital photographs, look for a photographer who will do digital proofs to save paper and chemicals. Avoid single-use cameras, but ask friends with digi-cams to share their photos with all the guests online in a free Flickr group or Snapfish group room you set up for your wedding.
Plan and book your honeymoon.
4 to 6 Months Ahead
Order your organic wedding cake.
Order wedding stationery, including invitations and thank-you notes. Our Invitations feature offers advice on making green choices for paper, printing, and mailing.
Register for gifts with a registry such as the I Do Foundation that donates a percentage of each sale to charity. www.idofoundation.org
Complete the guest list and confirm addresses.
Purchase wedding rings - consider socially and environmentally responsible options.
Purchase or reserve groom's attire.
Discuss attendants' attire with wedding party, and make final choices.
Buy hosiery and any special lingerie that your gown requires - and finalize your accessories including veil or headpiece, shoes, and jewellery.
Choose favours or plan for handmade favours.
Arrange transportation for wedding day.
Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests if needed.
Book a room for your wedding night at a green hotel.
Make decisions on flowers or silk arrangements and bouquets.
Confirm all arrangements with vendors.
Reserve rental equipment such as tables, chairs, and linens, if necessary.
Finalize honeymoon plans.
2 to 4 Months Ahead
Discuss details of menu with organic caterer, or finalize self-catered menu.
Communicate with officiant regarding ceremony details - readings, vows, and music.
Create a schedule of events for the ceremony. If you are printing programs, keep in mind the same earth-friendly options that you considered for your invitations.
Create a schedule for the reception. Give a copy to the caterer, photographer, videographer, and music to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
Discuss your musical selections.
Schedule rehearsal time and rehearsal dinner.
Practice your first dance - take lessons if needed.
1 to 2 Months Ahead
Buy a guest book - look for handmade paper options.
Book hair and make-up appointments.
Confirm all transportation arrangements.
Take care of paperwork
Obtain marriage license.
Prepare name change documents if needed.
Send change-of-address information to post office.
Look over insurance policies (car, life, medical, and home) to see if any changes will be necessary.
Make appointments for blood tests if required.
Contact local newspapers about publishing your wedding announcement.
2 to 4 Weeks Ahead
Have a final dress fitting, complete with all accessories.
Catch up on guest replies.
Notify caterer of guest count or take note of numbers if self-catering.
Begin seating plan for reception and make placecards.
1 Week Ahead
Finalize seating plan.
Assign responsibilities to attendants, friends and families for the ceremony and reception.
Confirm final headcount with caterer - or if self-catering, compile shopping list for food and drinks.
Reconfirm honeymoon details, and provide travel itinerary to family member or friend in the event of an emergency.
Pack for honeymoon.
Make sure that groom and wedding party are on track with their attire.
1 Day Ahead
Reconfirm transportation arrangements for ceremony and reception.
Have your manicure and any other pampering you desire.
Rehearse the ceremony, have rehearsal dinner and run-through of responsibilities.
Prepare tip and payment envelopes for officiant and vendors, and arrange for someone to distribute them.
Arrange for the return of rentals after the wedding, and plan for delivery of flowers to hospitals or nursing homes and leftover food to homeless shelters.
Wedding Day
Bring payment and tip envelopes for your trusted designee to distribute.
Give rings to best man if you want him to carry them.
Enjoy your celebration!
|
Green Weddings 
