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Going Green

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Going Green
So you want to save some green by going green? By going green we are not necessarily referring to money, but that can play an integral part. A green wedding is any wedding where the couple tries to decrease the impact of their event on the planet -and there are many ways to do it without sacrificing style or elegance! Green weddings are eco-chic, which means they are every bit as gorgeous as conventional weddings, but without the waste. And, amazingly enough, going green can save you money. Whether you incorporate just one or two earth-friendly elements, or go completely organic from the silk of your dress to the food you serve, remember that every green choice makes a difference.
Did You Know? 2.3 million is the number of couples that get married in the U.S. each year. That breaks down to more than 6,300 weddings a day. $28,000 is the average budget of a wedding in the U.S. 80 percent is the percentage of gold minded each year that goes into jewelry, out of 2500 tons. 50 years is the length of time the current amount of already-mined gold could satisfy demand; much of it currently sits in bank vaults and in old, unused jewelry.
Going green on your wedding day has environmental, social, and economic benefits.
1. The environmental benefits:
Each one of the 2.3 million weddings this year in the United States will produce an average of 62 tons of carbon dioxide and 400-600 lbs of garbage. That’s a lot of waste! Consider all of the stuff that goes into conventional weddings: single-use bleached white dresses, chemically treated imported flowers, toxic makeup and skin care products, mined gem-based jewelry, to name a few. It adds up quickly! Picture this: if every wedding this year used a disposable aisle runner and they were laid end to end,they would circle the globe twice. Similarly, the amount of paper used for invitations could cover the entire island of Manhattan. If every engaged couple made just one small green choice, which would be 2.3 million greener choices a year and that is an amazing impact.
2. The social benefits:
Weddings are a $60+ billion industry. Having a green wedding is an opportunity to make a difference by supporting companies that actively in corporate social and environmental responsibility into the way they do business. When you start talking to vendors about green choices, and explain your choices to your guests, you support the green economy and change the way people in your community think. You can showcase how easy it is to be eco-chic and share your favorite eco-friendly products with your guests.
3. The economic benefits:
Being green usually saves you money, and in today’s economy this is probably reason enough to do it! By making simple substitutions and eco-conscious decisions, like choosing a location central to the majority of your guests, you can easily decrease your impact on the planet and the cost of your event simultaneously. This is your day to show the ones you love your passion for the environment.
There are many great reasons going green for your wedding is a great idea! Experiment with a few and you can always mix and match to tailor it to your day!

Four Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

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Weddings can be expensive, but they don’t have to be. There are plenty of fun, easy ways to save money.  Here are just a few suggestions.

Close the Bar for an Hour

One of the most expensive parts of the reception is the bar. Most couples want to offer an open bar or at least well-stocked bar, but there are ways to save money without compromising quality. One way to do this is to close the bar for an hour. You could close the bar during dinner since most guests don’t get up for a drink while dinner is being served, or you can close the bar early at the end of the night. This will give people time to sober up before they leave. Another option is to do a combination of the option above. You could close the bar for a half hour during dinner and a half hour before the reception ends.

Shop on eBay

Surprisingly, eBay is an excellent place to shop for wedding day supplies. You can buy everything from invitations to favors to a cake knife. Don’t worry. You don’t have to buy someone else’s leftover wedding goodies, unless you want to. Many of the sellers are online wedding shops that create unique products for you.

Rethink Your Cake

Instead of buying an expensive wedding cake, consider buying smaller cakes from a local bakery. You can display the cakes on cute cake holders. Best of all, you can offer your guests a variety of flavors. Want to increase your savings? Use fun cakes and holders as centerpieces on your table instead of flowers.

Take Another Look at the Calendar

Most weddings take place on Saturdays. Therefore, venues and vendors will charge higher prices for Saturday weekends. To save money, consider another day of the week; Thursday, Friday, or Sunday are good options.

How to Help Wedding Guests Save Money on Hotel Rooms

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Whether you have a lot of out of town guests, are hosting a destination wedding or just have guests who don’t want to drive after the reception, many of your wedding guests may ask your advice on reserving a hotel room. Most likely, they will ask you where to book a room as well how to save money at local hotels. A 2007 report done by Smith Travel Research revealed that the average U.S. hotel room price is now over $100 per night, so many guests may be concerned about cost. However, don’t get discouraged. According to Daniel from ChicagoHotels.org, there are two easy ways your out of town guests can save money on a hotel room.

Consider Business Hotels

According to Daniel, hotels that cater to business guests often offer discounts on the weekends. This is because their main clientele only need rooms during the week. It is a basic example of supply and demand. During the week, prices are higher because demand is higher. However, on the weekends, prices are lower because demand is lower. To find a hotel that typically caters to business travelers, simply do a little online research and make a few phone calls to local hotels. You may want to make a list of hotels in your area that typically cater to business professionals and then share this information with your wedding guests.

Wait Until the Last Minute

It is common knowledge that waiting until the last minute is the best way to score great travel deals. This applies to everything from hotel rooms to flights. This is because companies lose money if they do not fill up their hotel rooms or plane seats, so they are willing to offer steep discounts to fill up those seats at the last minute. The downside to this approach is risking the possibility of not being to get a hotel room or flight that meshes with your wedding schedule. Avoid this tactic if you are planning a wedding on a holiday weekend. Travel arrangements are best made in advance for busy weekends. However, this may be a good option for local guests who don’t want to drive home after the wedding because they can always make other arrangements if they have trouble finding a room.

While you can share helpful information with your wedding guests, you are not responsible for booking the rooms for them. Give them the information they need to make an informed decision that fits with their personal finances; then let them handle the rest. After all, you are planning a wedding!