Once you make the decision to go green on your big day, you may encounter some raised eyebrows. Weddings are teeming in tradition and, in comparison, going organic is fairly new. There are a few myths swirling around that a sustainable wedding requires some sort of sacrifice but nothing could be further from the truth. Many of the most beautiful weddings on the planet have been organic weddings.
By Nicole Dahl
Organic Wedding Myth 1: You can’t have decorations at an organic wedding
This statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Organic weddings tend to have the most beautiful decorations of all. One bride made her outdoor evening wedding extra special, and organic, by having a local farmers’ market vendor create beeswax candles, with cotton wicks, scented with lavender oil, and used them as her centerpieces.
Another very popular trend is the use of succulents as organic wedding decor. These tiny plants are beautiful and oh-so-sustainable. Purchase some planters from a local artist or browse local thrift stores for unique containers, layer gravel and cactus soil, place succulents in an aesthetically pleasing design and the result is a stunning and organic centerpiece.
More often than not, organic weddings take place in beautiful venues. If you choose to say your vows on the beach or at a botanical garden, you can let the natural beauty of your surroundings serve as the main décor.
Organic Wedding Myth 2: All the sustainable wedding dresses are ugly
The conscientious bride, just like all brides, wants to find the perfect wedding dress. The wedding gown that will make her feel gorgeous, comfortable, and special. If you have been told you will have to sacrifice style for ethics, you have been told wrong. There are countless fair trade wedding dress options and many of them are straight off the runway.
A fair-trade wedding dress is guaranteed to be made without the use of child labor or indentured employment by an eco-friendly company who uses natural fabrics and handmade embellishments. Celia Grace designs stunning fair trade bridal gowns and offers a Home Try-On service on their website. Leanne Marshall, of Project Runway fame, has a line of gorgeous eco-friendly wedding dresses. If you love want to get married in the softest, most romantic dress ever made, check out Tara Lynn’s line of hemp and silk gowns.
Organic Wedding Myth 3: Organic beer and wine are too expensive
There may have been some truth to this statement ten years ago but you, my friend, are living in the green ages. Craft breweries all across the nation are going organic. Eel River Brewing Company in northern California has an entire line of organic beers, all of them available at a lower price point in kegs. Peak Brewing Company, located in Maine, makes nothing but organic brews, all of them priced comparably to other craft brewing companies.
To find affordable organic wines for your wedding, you needn’t look any further than your local Costco, Sam’s Club or Trader Joes. Organic wines are priced as low as $4.99 per bottle, often with bulk discounts. Be sure to set up a recycling station for your bartenders or consider repurposing the bottles into lamps. If you want to further cut down your carbon footprint, there are a few great tasting boxed wines available, such as Badger Mountain or Bota Box.
Organic Wedding Myth 4: You can’t give away wedding favors because it’s wasteful
Absolutely untrue. Clearly, you do not want to hand out plastic packages of stale Jordan Almonds but, good news, no one wants those anyway. Instead, make a bulk order of organic coffee beans from your local roaster. Package them in small mason jars and send your guests home with a treat they will truly appreciate.
Want to cut down on tangibles? Follow the wedding trend of giving back as a wedding favor. Set up baskets marked with your favorite charities, give each guest a wood token to write their name and best wishes on, and have them place the token in the charity basket of their choice. Donate a dollar for every token received and use them as keepsakes in lieu of a guest book.
Organic Wedding Myth 5: The food is going to be boring
In a world of GMOs and pre-packaged foods, some people tend to fear natural, organic fare. Dazzle doubting guests with a delicious and gorgeously presented dinner. Organic food is carefully grown, tastes better, and comes in brighter colors. If you are unable to find an organic caterer, simply let your catering company know you prefer to serve organic food and sustainable fish. They can easily make your menu organic and GMO-free, without compromising taste or presentation.
Organic Wedding Myth 6: You can’t have a diamond
If you think diamonds are outdated and prefer to rock a sapphire or ruby, that is a beautiful choice but, if you believe diamonds are a girl’s best friend, you can have your bling and keep your wedding ethical too. Brilliant Earth, Bario-Neal, and Andrea Bonelli all use ethically sourced diamonds and source reclaimed precious metals. Furthermore, their designs are as stunning, if not more so, as non-sustainable designers.
Organic Wedding Myth 7: You can’t have a Champagne toast
There are people walking among us who are unaware that bubbly has gone organic. You can have your toast and stay committed to your sustainable wedding goals. Sparkling wines from all over the spectrum are available in organic form. If you are looking for a high-end bubbly, check out Fleury Organic Champagne, the first vineyard in Champagne, France to go organic. If you want sparkling wine for the masses, Korbel’s infamous Brut is available in organic.
Take a deep breath and know that your organic wedding is going to beautiful, ethical, and the best day of your life. Cheers!
