Make Your Wedding Day Green and Earth-Friendly

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LOCATION

There is a variety of locations which can be used for both the wedding and the reception.  It takes a tremendous amount of electricity to light up an indoor venue for a wedding reception.  The best locations would be those that take advantage of natural lighting.  To get the most use of natural sunlight, you may want to choose a daytime ceremony and reception in an outdoor location. 

An outdoor wedding and reception can take place at home.  If you plan to hold the wedding in your host’s backyard, there are many factors which need to be considered.

DECORATIONS

Traditional wedding and reception sites are usually decorated with cut flowers.  As an alternative to cut flowers, consider using potted trees and plants.  Small potted trees can be placed at the ceremony site and pots of flowering plants such as Chrysanthemums can be placed on the altar. 

The potted trees can be moved to the reception site and placed behind the head table as decorations.  The Chrysanthemums or other potted plants can be placed on the tables with the guest book and gift table.  Use potted plants as centerpieces which can be given away to the guests at the end of the reception.

MUSIC

To minimize the amount of electricity needed for the entertainment at the reception, consider using alternatives to a band or disc jockey.  You can hire a violinist to circulate among the wedding guests during dinner.  You could have an a cappella barbershop quartet provide the entertainment.  Consider a pianist to play soft music throughout dinner.

THE RECEPTION

Obviously, if you have decided not to carry a traditional floral bouquet, there will be no throwing of the bouquet at the wedding reception.  You will need to think of an alternative.  One thing you can do is have a pinata, or several pinatas, filled with candy or other small prizes.  You can have one pinata for the children (if you have invited children to the reception), and another for the adults.  Of the pinatas for the adults, you can further have one for women (as a substitute for the bouquet toss), and one for the men (as a substitute for the garter toss).

Keep it lively.  Who says you can’t play musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey, or duck duck goose.  People will laugh and have a great time.  Your wedding will be one they won’t soon forget.

THE HONEYMOON

You don’t need to fly across the globe to have a honeymoon to remember.  There are probably many local vacation spots and attractions that you have never visited.  The following is a list of states and their popular tourist attractions.  By staying local, you will be able to avoid traveling via airplane.  Choose to visit places of interest in your home state or a neighboring state.  Use public transportation to get there.