don't have a green wedding

I am not a fan of the "green themed" wedding, as I think I've said before. For me, this is not about a theme...it's about a way of being. Saving resources, including your time and money, and enjoying the process is what it's all about.

Actually Eco-Chic Weddings is a little bit of a misnomer--because the way I define Eco-Chic doesn't necessarily have any connection to "Eco." At lease not in the traditional sense of the word. Eco-Chic Weddings  just seemed like the most expedient title at the time...plus, it's pretty catchy.  But what I really meant to say was "Sustainable Weddings." But at the time (2003), my editor didn't think anyone would "get" the word sustainable.

The idea is to have a wedding to match your lifestyle. We all need to be a bit more of a conscious consumer, and planning a wedding is a great way to start. The person I think about as my "inspiration" is my great-grandmother Sullivan, who was married on Sunday morning after Church in the parlour of her parent's home in Rock Island, Illinois. Following the ceremony, the guests retreated to the backyard for tea sandwiches and punch. Simple, sweet, and quite memorable.

I really don't want you to feel like this is just another layer to add to the already complicated matter of planning a wedding. It is the complete opposite. It is about taking a deep breathe and letting go of expectations, going with what feels natural. (the beautiful image above is from Brown Mouse Photography. Click here for more of their fantastic work.)

Still confused about what "sustainable" is? Click here for Sustainable Table, an excellent reference.

Comments

[Meg @ A Practical Wedding]

I love this post. This is exactly my philosophy as well (and how we are planning our real life wedding). Somehow green has become a trendy buzzword, so people want "Green!" weddings, to go with all their other trends... which somehow misses the point for me.

[Becca]

we got married on a tuesday (the four year anniversary of our first date), many states away from home, with only ten guests. we had no reception, just a nice dinner with our closest loved ones. i paid $37 for my wedding dress.

i wish more people would choose to get married in their own way instead of trying to live up to what they think they have to do.

[Kate and The Green Bride Guide]

Emily -
I think you have really nailed it and I think your wisdom is invaluable. I also wanted to thank you for all of the time and effort you have put into your book, your blog and interviewing. I think the idea of a sustainable wedding is a wonderful one - a sustainable life however - that is the ultimate goal.

I see you are taking some time off and I hope that your next projects are equally exciting, fulfilling and have as much impact as you have had with this one. I look forward to seeing what you do next.

Much luck and all the best,

Kate

[Portland Wedding Photographer]

I'm really enjoying reading your blog. It's more than just basic wedding talk. There's a great philosphical discussion going on here. I'll be back. Thanks for posting.

Benjamin