Planning Your Eco-friendly Wedding

Many environmentally conscious couples are looking into ways to make their wedding day more eco-friendly. They are looking into cutting out some of the excess and trying to make better choices in terms of clothing, paper products, and wedding favors.

So how can couples implement the organic into their big day? You could begin with the decision to serve organic food at your reception, use organically grown flowers, and encourage guests to consider donations to charity rather than purchasing material wedding gifts. All these things impact environment in a positive way, and can also introduce guests to some ecologically responsible ideas.

Ric Orlando, proprietor of New World Home Cooking Co. in Saugerties, says many couples come to his company requesting an organic menu. "We feel that our commitment to sustainable and organic ingredients is our niche in this market for sure," he said, adding that the demand for ecologically responsible and healthy food is a growing trend in the catering field.

"We get many couples who opt for vegetarian and vegan options as well as sustainable choices. Our Alaskan salmon and grass fed beef is a big plus in selling contemporary, college educated New York metro couples," he explained, with the King Salmon prepared Thai BBQ as their biggest seller. Sounds delicious, doesn't it? But before we actually make it to the reception, we have to let our guests know about the big event and all those parties leading up to it.

Engagement announcements, shower, and wedding invitations, programs, place cards, and thank you notes…that's a lot of paper! Why not consider using tree-free or recycled paper? Check out www.renaissancewritings.com and www.twistedlimbpaper.com to order invitations, or purchase the paper and design and print your own on your home computer.