Eco-Chic Wedding
For my invitations, I chose a simple design with a postcard as the reply card, but my mother thinks this is too informal. How can I explain to her that I don't want to waste so much paper?
A. When planning a green wedding, you are forced to break with some traditions. For environmentalist couples who've changed their lifestyles to help protect the earth, this may not seem like a big deal, but it can be difficult to convert your parents to your eco-friendly ways. Your best bet? Whenever there's clash between tradition and eco-friendliness, just remind Mom that you're trying to save the earth for her grandchildren. With any luck, visions of grandkids will take her mind off the invitations.
I'm having my wedding ceremony and reception outside at a nature preserve. I like the idea of being out under the sun and sky, but I'm afraid it might rain. Help!
A. When in doubt, get a tent. Even a light shower can wreak havoc on hair and make-up for the wedding party and guests. Look for tents made of natural fibers, like cotton or hemp-canvas, but don't despair if you can't find one. After all, rented tents—no matter what they're made from—are recycled in that they're used over and over again for weddings and other outdoor events.
Many earth-friendly home goods we'd like to get as wedding gifts aren't available from the typical registry sites. Can we skip the registry and hope for money instead?
A. Skipping the registry is probably a bad idea. Some wedding guests prefer to give gifts, and if you aren't registered for things that you want, there is a very good chance that you will be given many gifts that you don't want—and you'll end up filling your trash cans instead of filling your home with sustainably designed products. If you're planning a honeymoon, you might consider starting a honeymoon registry, where guests can buy you pieces of your trip. Sites like Honeyfund.com allow couples to register for waste-free gifts, like a hotel room in Hawaii or dinner in Paris.
At my bridal shower, my maid of honor is setting up a "wishing well" for guests to fill with housekeeping items. How do I get the word out that I only use organic cleaning supplies?
A. You should definitely mention your cleaning-supply convictions to your mother and maid of honor, and hope that they'll spread the word to your close friends and family. But the truth is that Great-Aunt Florence probably isn't going to make her first trip to the organic grocery on your behalf. If you end up with a few bottles of Lysol, and an odd assemblage of Styrofoam paper goods that you'd rather not have in your home, donate them to someone who will use them, instead of sending them straight to the dump.
