The Food/Cake
It’s not just people who fly. So much of our food is imported and flown thousands of miles from other locations. All the air travel has a huge impact on the environment. Source local and seasonal food instead. If the venue you have chosen uses its own caterers, ask if they will prepare local, organic food and inquire about organic wine and beer. There are also many organic caterers and organic restaurants that will cater. Similarly, organic bakeries are becoming more common if you want to go for the organic wedding cake. Use real place settings (dishes, glasses and napkins), not disposables, and consider that buffets are much more wasteful than plated or family-style dinners.
The Décor
Opt for local and seasonal flowers and look for flowers or talk to your florist about using flowers that have the VeraFlora™ certification (certified as sustainably grown). There are also alternatives to using flowers or at least so many of them. Florists can make beautiful arrangements with local branches, greens, and berries. As far as candles go, choose soy-based or beeswax candles, not candles made with paraffin (which has been identified as a carcinogen).
By Laura Meyer, author of Remodel This! A Woman’s Guide to Planning and Surviving the Madness of a Home Renovation and is currently working on her next book, The Ultimate Green Guide.
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