Your Wedding Reception

Flowers

Every nature girl wants to be surrounded by greenery and fragrant flowers on her wedding day, but the carbon emissions generated by imported flora can really stink — both literally and figuratively. And just like food, most flowers are grown on factory farms that pollute the earth with toxic chemicals and pesticides. To avoid these issues, look for a florist who uses seasonal wildflowers from local organic flower farms.

Of course, since many neighborhood florists will greet your eco-friendly requests with a blank stare, brides-to-be can also search for organic flower farms in their area on Local Harvest. Brides can also order blooms from Organic Bouquet, a certified organic online retailer.

To prevent excess waste and promote green living, consider using potted plants that guests can take home as centerpieces. Unlike bouquets that will wilt and end up in the garbage within a day or two, living plants will produce oxygen and bring a bit of nature into your guests' homes. If you're concerned about having flower pots block cross-table eye contact, go green with your wedding favors instead. Give tree saplings or small potted plants to guests who live nearby. If the majority of your wedding attendees are traveling from afar, it might be more practical to send them home with a packet of seeds or make a donation to American Forests to have trees planted in their honor.

Invitations

Slimming down overstuffed wedding invitations is one way to save paper. A traditional wedding invitation includes an outer envelope, an inner envelope, a card with information about the reception, a response card with its own envelope, some vellum paper lining, and perhaps a map and hotel info — in addition to the invitation itself. Plus, the wedding invitations go out after piles of save-the-date cards, engagement party announcements, and bridal shower invitations. Before your marriage even begins to take root, you may feel as though you've already destroyed a forest.