Looking for Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations?

When it comes to infusing your respect for the planet into your wedding, the number of ways you can stay true to an earth friendly walk down the aisle is staggering. One of the first things engaged couples must do in their journey through wedding planning is to announce their special day to family and friends. Today, an eco-friendly wedding invitation may utilize recycled paper or breathe new life into discarded objects. Before making a final decision, take the time to browse an assortment of companies offering green wedding invitations. Sweet Invitations No trees are used to make these acid free, 100% recycled wedding invitations for the eco-minded newlyweds-to-be. Using discarded and shredded cloth, petals, silk and grass, the handmade wedding invitations of Sweet Invitations are stunningly beautiful and creative. The benefit? Eco-friendly announcements that will not fade or disintegrate over time like wood pulp-based papers. A few collections that I thought stood out included the Sealed Hearts Collection, decorated with a traditional faux wax seal sticker displaying a double heart design. This sticker is used to attach the translucent vellum overlay that presents the details of your wedding. However, my personal favorite is the Wedding Bands Collection (Green and Red Silk Invitation shown above) – outstanding handmade paper background cards fashioned from recycled cotton and embedded with silk fibers. A handmade paper band attaches the translucent vellum. Invitesite Featured in Newsweek and Time Magazine, Invitesite has made quite a name for themselves in the world of unique DIY wedding invitations. Since 1999, the company is known for their green business practices that include the papers they use to their methods of printing. Besides choosing from a fine selection of paper invitations, customers may also browse save the date cards, programs, holiday cards, and thank you notes. For an added convenience, Invitesite provides a collection of 'how to' videos for customers looking to make their own wedding invitations using the company's modern invitation kits. Eye-catching and simple, Invitesite offers the DIY Unryu wrapped Natural Invitation called Angelicia, which is decorated with a Japanese maple leaf and offers a tree-free option made from 100% post consumer recycled papers (Thai mulberry fibers). Produced in the United States and/or Canada, the maple leaves are dried in California. When purchasing this set, you will receive a recycled paper envelope; cream-colored mulberry paper cut wrapper; genuine pressed Japanese maple leaf; matching husk post-consumer recycled cardstock; glue sticks; MSWord templates; complete reference sample; and 10% extra printing sheets and envelopes for those pesky, unexpected printing errors. Earthly Affair From earth friendly printing methods to an eco-equipped studio, Earthly Affair has made a commitment to embrace business practices that lessen their impact on the environment. Offering wedding invitations with flair, the company recycles and reuses it way into the hearts of their clients with modern and fun designs. Other highlights of Earthly Affair include carbon-free shipping, donations to environmental projects, and the use of 100% recycled paper. A couple of options to consider include:

• Breeze – perfect for a seaside or coastal walk down the aisle
• Juliet – offering two lovebirds perched on a branch
• Shade – expresses a love of nature with signature tree illustration and flourished border

Sterling Wine Online For the ultimate in personalized eco-friendly wedding invitations, Sterling Wine Online offers laser engraved announcements on recycled champagne bottles. Flattened and accented with gold or silver rings and ribbons, this extremely unique approach is made by glass artisans in the United States. While a wooden display stand accompanies the invitation, this work of art is also functional – designed to double as a cheese platter. At nearly $100 per invitation, this has to be one of the most luxurious ways to announce your upcoming nuptials. Please note that invitations will take two to four weeks for delivery. Available in Dark Green or Kelly Green. Photo Credits: Sweet Invitations, Invitesite, Sterling Wine Online

Alternative Gift Registry

If you've ever planned a wedding, baby shower, or other occasion of major gifting, you may have wondered what to do about a registry. It can be a difficult decision, since you want to honor the contributions of important people in your life (and hey, maybe you just enjoy getting presents, too) but on the other hand you don't want your special occasion to cause a lot of environmentally destructive purchases. Even if you decide to go the "no gifts" route, chances are you'll end up receiving some anyway. When a registry is appropriate, it can actually be a great way to make sure that at least the items you get are things you stand behind ethically and know you will enjoy.

So, you're left with the question of what to register. That's where the Center for the New American Dream's Alternative Gift Registry comes in. This internet tool allows you to create a gift registry for any type of special occasion.

There are three basic types of green gifts you can include in this registry. First of all, you can select any product available on the internet and create a link to it. Second, you can link to your favorite charities and request donations in honor of your event. Third, you can ask for personalized or non-material gifts like things made by your guests or donations of time and energy. The great thing about the Alternative Gift Registry is that it brings all this together in one place. Like any online gift registry, you can note the number of each item you would like to receive, and guests can keep track of which gifts have already been spoken for.

Creative Commons image by Flickr user Saquan Stimpson

Conscious Clothing: Hemp-Silk Creations

When the eco-friendly bride wants to walk down the aisle in a breathtaking sustainable gown, what is she going to wear? Making strides in the 'green' bridal movement is Conscious Clothing, which uses hemp fabrics to satisfy the needs of the bride that doesn’t want her wedding to become a strain on the planet. I must say that Conscious Clothing has created a gorgeous line of wedding gowns that uphold all of the same traditional desires of comfort, visual appeal, and texture. Each piece is truly a work of art. Brides may choose dresses made from a: · hemp/silk blend · hemp/silk floral jacquard · hemp/silk satin · hemp/tencel blend (for pure Vegan brides) Interested in a free fabric swatch? It's as easy as contacting Conscious Clothing by phone or email. Some lucky brides may even browse designs at local fashion shows, trade shows, and other events. Upcoming events include the Body Café in Santa Fe, New Mexico (December 6th) and the Seattle Green Festival (April 12th –13th). And… wearing a sustainable, stylish gown isn’t just limited to the exchange of vows – consider the Conscious Couture line that includes the dazzling peacock dress ($3,200) shown below with cowrie shells and peacock feathers.

Photos: Conscious Clothing