Traditionally, the bride wears white, but lately more and more happy couples are choosing green. Earth Day on Tuesay continues to bring attention to environmental concerns, and experts in Atlanta and across the country note brides and grooms are doing their part by planning environmentally friendly weddings. “It has definitely increased over the past couple of years,” said Jaimee Zanzinger, editor of Real Simple Weddings. “The country has become so concerned with the green movement and doing things to help the environment that brides seem to be more concerned with making their weddings green.” Still, planning an eco-friendly celebration requires a bit of creativity and sometimes more cash. The average wedding costs about $27,000, according to recent statistics, but green weddings can cost up to 20 percent more, said Alex Lluch of the WS Publishing Group, producers of more than 70 wedding planning books. What may have once been considered a hippie endeavor lacking style can be a cosmopolitan affair including everything from a fleet of hybrid luxury cars to transport the wedding party to wedding bands made with un-mined diamonds and recycled metals. In the end, the Earth will thank you. The reception is generally the priciest part of the ceremony, experts say. Have the wedding and reception in the same place to cut down on natural resource consumption, said Alex Lluch of WS Publishing Group. An outdoor wedding may be more energy-efficient than a reception hall. Also, consider using a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified space or at least hotels and halls that engage in environmentally friendly practices such as using glassware and cloth napkins. Offset transportation to and from the wedding by renting a fleet of luxury hybrid cars. Couples are turning to web-services to buy credits that reduce the carbon footprint of honeymoon travel. The money is used to support carbon reducing energy products in the United States. For wedding gifts, consider tree saplings or seed packets. Fill gift baskets for out-of-town guests with merchandise from local companies such as Coke products or Georgia peanuts, Smith said. One option is to look for a gown in natural pesticide-free fibers such as organic cotton or silk, said Jaimee Zanzinger of Real Simple Weddings. However, buying a vintage dress is also Earth-friendly. Some websites allow brides to rent a gown. David's Bridal recently launched a Wear Again collection offering simple styles of bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses that can be repurposed and worn again. In Atlanta, the drought got a lot of brides thinking in an eco-friendly manner, said J. Wilber Smith, owner and designer at Event-scapes. The company responded by creating floral arrangements that used 80 percent less water, he said. Many brides recycle flowers, Smith said, using the same arrangements for several days from rehearsal dinner to reception. In addition, many take flowers to a hospice or children's hospital when the festivities end. Consider using seasonal flowers from local nurseries to avoid consuming resources in shipping and you may also save on costs, Jaimee Zanzinger said. Orchids can cost $26 a stem, she said, while local flowers may run closer to $2 a stem. Smith works with clients to develop innovative floral presentations using biodegradable containers as a base for arrangements rather than plastics. Some brides opt for potted pants or potted flowers such as azaleas or gerber daises, Smith said. It's hard to do away with the formality of paper invitations, so if an online wedding Evite seems too tacky, there are other Earth-friendly options. Invitations and correspondence on recycled paper with soy ink look as spiffy as traditional invites. Atlanta-based Earthly Affair uses post-consumer recycled paper, said founder Jennifer Stambolsky. They also print in-house and do not have a minimum print order. - Cox News Service __
