A Simple Wedding=A Green Wedding

I am still catching up on telling you about my recent weekend of celebration. The last thing I wanted to share with y'all from that weekend was a glimpse of my cousin's wedding. My cousin, Erin, (like everyone in our family) struggled with how to manage our large family (50 cousins on that side alone) at a wedding that she wanted to be very simple. She succeeded with grace and though she didn't exactly intend it, a gift to the planet.

The ceremony was held on her uncle's farm. A simple arch was constructed in the front yard and decorated with leaves, mums, and bales of hay. We all stood under blue skies, surrounded by cornfields to watch the brief but beautiful exchange of vows.

Then everyone moved to a barn that had been constructed for the event (but of course would be utilized later) and was decorated with twinkling lights and centerpieces of pumpkins and gourds. Dinner was a simple barbeque buffet style that had something for everyone, including vegetarians. We ate on plastic plates with plastic ware, not perfect, but all of it was collected, washed, and reused.

So let's wrap it up. Some things Erin did really well with her wedding to help the Earth:

• She kept it simple. There was nothing we didn't need or use (favors, place cards, etc...)
• She used things in and of nature (the mums, hay, gourds)
• She had us outside enjoying nature
• The food was cooked on sight with vegetarian options
• She reused where she could

What have you seen at weddings that really works for the planet? Are you planning a wedding soon? Planning to make it green? Did you have a green wedding? Any tips?