Do you ever stop to think about the impact a wedding might have on the environment? Me neither. Believe it or not, there are people who have researched the idea. I’m always looking to make the world a better place, but how will it impact my wedding, you might ask? Well, here are a few simple ways you can incorporate some eco-consciousness into your wedding festivities, and it doesn’t matter what type of bash you are throwing, there are ways you can improve the world around you and have a great time doing it!

Flowers

Did you know that the U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn’t regulate pesticide levels on imported flowers? As a result, cut flowers are one of the world’s most pesticide-intensive crops. This translates into an unhealthy product that is produced in an unhealthy work environment; and of course, this type of production has a negative impact on the environment as well. But, you can make a better choice by looking to local suppliers or sustainable flower growers from other parts of the world for your wedding.

The specific location of your wedding will most likely dictate how you add your own style to the décor. To help you make your location suit your style and your values, my suggestion is to rely upon the expertise of your florist to seek out sustainable choices. Some things to consider are:

• Do they work with organic, local or sustainable growth flower producers

• Consider using an online supplier such as California Organic or Organic Bouquet

• Local Harvest is another online resource; you can use it to find a local supplier through a nationwide directory of local farms.

The Menu

Nearly half of your wedding budget will probably be spent on the reception, and a huge part of this cost is the meal you will serve your guests. Whether it’s a brunch, a lunch, or a dinner, you can make a few good decisions about the ingredients that will make a positive impact. Food is a big issue in our society; both the production processes as well as the nutritional value have come under intense scrutiny in recent years. Are carbs good, are they bad. What is organic, and why is it preferred. Should we be vegetarian, or is meat okay, so long as it’s produced in a healthy way. I’m not a nutritionist, and I can’t give you advice about what is the healthiest choice for you. I can tell you some research does show the consumption of organically grown foods to be a better way to avoid consuming toxic pesticides and fertilizers. In turn, organic food, when produced and reintroduced into the environment post-consumption, puts fewer toxic chemicals into the environment and food chain, and as a result promotes sustainable agriculture.

According to The Environmental Magazine, an average dinner travels 1500 miles, using energy and packaging that will ultimately go into landfills. If we buy our food from local farmers, not only will we reduce energy consumption, and potential packaging waste, but we will also support our local economy–your dollars stay within your community, and strengthen the local economy. And most often the food you buy locally is much fresher because it is usually sold within 24 hours of being harvested. And as for the vegetarian question, according to The U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2,500 gallons of water are spend to produce just one pound of meat, compared to 25 gallons to grow a pound of wheat. And this doesn’t account for the vast tracts of land needed for cattle production, much of which is left barren after the herd has fed there. Whether you go vegan or not, you might be surprised that if you just make a change to three little products, you will be improving your individual footprint in the global sense:

Chocolate

While it may indeed be good for your health, the industrial production of cocoa in different tropical regions of the world results in the clearing of tropical rain-forest, erosion and run-off, reduced soil fertility, contaminated crucial water supplies, and the destruction of wildlife habitat.

Coffee

And then there’s coffee; Globally, coffee is second only to oil in terms of dollars traded, and it has a tremendous social and ecological footprint, particularly in regions of the world that also host some of the planet’s greatest, and most threatened, biodiversity. U.S. retailers such as Starbucks are creating opportunities for smaller coffee growers to sell to the larger global market, which is great.

Favors

If you’re concerned about most guest tossing your favor after the wedding, why not try a toss-able favor. Another great option are edible favors, such as cookies and candy treats. But as I mentioned in the section on chocolate, try to use a local resource, organic or fair trade company to create those favors. They will also ship, so if you are outside the area, you can check them out too!

One of my favorite wedding favors is the “Have A Blast!” Celebratory Wedding Poppers from Kate Aspen. These are the perfect favor to celebrate your departure. Imagine the fabulous photos you’ll create when your guest launch biodegradable tissue-paper confetti and streamers into the air by a safe, spring-loaded device.

I also love the “In Favor of a Cure” Pink Ribbon Plant-able Favors. These ivory-lined pink ribbons are embedded with wildflower seeks that, when planted, blossom into a glorious garden of brightly colored wildflowers for your guest to enjoy.

There are ways you can help make things better—get started with what you serve at your wedding. To get you started, check out these resources:

• Organic Consumers Association

• Eat Well Guide

• Fair Trade Coffee

• Dagoba Chocolate

For even more ideas, you can check out Ethical Weddings