Our Green Bride Guide: Eco-friendly Wedding Tips
Green Wedding Tips by I DO Belize Weddings
It’s no surprise that Eco-friendly Belize attracts more than those interested in an environmentally friendly vacation. With the growing trend of “Green Weddings” Belize is one of the world’s top green destination wedding locations. Why Go Green? Small eco-friendly choices can decrease your wedding’s impact on the environment without sacrificing style or elegance. Even with one or two green options you’ll be making a difference for the earth and increasing the joy of your day.
Welcome Baskets. For those of you thinking about gift baskets for your guests upon arrival consider beach bags! One item that gets thrown out after the goodies are gone is the gift basket. Do you really expect your guests to lug an empty basket back to the States with them? Unfortunately off to the landfill they usually go. Beach bags or gift bags are versatile, and can be easily packed into a suitcase. Fill the bags with goodies like Belizean jams, jellies, spices, hot sauces, and rum cake.
Kay Scott Photography
Wedding Yoga. We hope you’re planning an “I DO Belize Wedding” and that our prompt detailed responses, suggestions, and bridal calls are keeping you from feeling stressed. We want you to have fun planning your big day but let’s face it…combine wedding planning, bridal magazines, websites, dress shopping, invitations, and getting advice from friends and family all of the details before your wedding day can naturally feel totally overwhelming. The physical yoga poses, breathing exercises, and meditations are the perfect way to self-navigate into excellent physical and emotional health, and a state of inner calm and relaxation. Try just ten poses two to three times a week to notice a difference. If you’re new to yoga pick up a yoga for beginners book or try a gentle yoga class.
Invitations and paper. It’s very exciting that so many print companies are finally starting to use post- consumer products to create beautiful invitations, programs, and personal stationary! Weddings can generate a huge amount of paper consumption, so give careful thought to items that can be reduced. Use recycled paper wherever possible for wedding invitations; most companies can offer this option. Also consider treeless paper made from materials such as bamboo, hemp and kenaf. Emily Anderson, author of “ecochic weddings” blog, has a few suggestions for eco-friendly invitations and printing. http://bit.ly/7yI6J
Invitation by The Green Kangaroo
Here are some of our favorite Eco-friendly invitation companies that use recycled paper, invitations made from tree free Kozo papers, & papers made using wind energy that are carbon neutral, and FSC certified.
Flowers. Use local native flowers! Many traditional wedding flowers have to be imported to island destinations. Transportation and care of these flowers requires extra resources. If you’re lucky enough to marry here in Belize our native flowers are some of the most beautiful tropical flowers in the world! Plus, you’ll be saving a lot of money using local verses imported flowers.
Conch Creative Photography
Jewelry. North America contributes $16 billion a year into the jewelry market that could be infused into the green economy through the purchase of socially and environmentally responsible jewelry. Eco-conscious jewelers use recycled stones and metals, as well as ethically sourced diamonds, gems and metals to create breathtaking and unique items. Family heirlooms, vintage pieces, or handmade items are also sustainable, and often less expensive options to consider.
Transportation. Eliminate the vehicles. Choose a reception venue that’s walkable from the ceremony. In Belize there are plenty of breathtaking beach locations where you can hold both your ceremony and reception.
Favors. Yes! Favors can be earth friendly too. Often people come up with very cute favors which unfortunately guests don’t end up using. Chelsea Clinton gave reusable tote bags that they can use in place of paper or plastic for grocery shopping. Imagine how cute would tropical personalized grocery totes be!
Chelsea Clinton’s pick for “simple and special favors”
Photo provided by Party Blue Prints
Eco-friendly flip flops make great wedding favors that guests can take home and wear again. Look for flip flops made from natural materials like rubber, jute, or hemp. Roxy makes a line of these flip flops starting at $9/pair.
Socially conscious donations in place of favors seem especially appropriate for the green bride. Pick a worthy association (something important to you), and notify the guests on pretty cards of handmade paper. Consider places such as Nature Conservancy, Green Peace, Rainforest Network, Earth First, Farm Sanctuary, or even a Belize wildlife or reef preservation such as Green Reef or Belize Ecotourism Association. Plantable seed content makes a cute and budget friendly addition! (which leads us to our next eco-favor.
Plantable eco-friendly place cards favors are a hit! Beach theme seed place cards serve a decorative, a wedding favor and place card all in one! These “Please be seeded” place cards perfect for a beach wedding and only run around $2.00 each! Arranged seating not your style? Reusable tins with plantable seeds and a saying is sure way to make a statement. “Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower” -Anon.
Now what? Decided to make your Belize wedding an eco-friendly themed wedding day? Contact I DO Belize Weddings today to learn more and start planning.
