Even though you swore you’d never get married.

We’re all grownups here: “Ever After” is something that exists in fairy tales and romantic comedies starring Meg Ryan (who’s since been usurped by Rachel McAdams, who will probably be replaced by Selena Gomez, who, like, wasn’t even born by the time we had our first Hollywood-quality heartbreak).

Cynical, we are not. On the pulse, is more like it. According to the Pew Research Center, only 20 percent of adults ages 18 to 29 are married, in comparison to 60 percent in Mad Men days. We’re also getting married later: the median marrying age is 26.5 for women and 28.5 for men. Some of the cool kids aren’t even getting married at all. Our parents, meanwhile, are getting divorced in droves having called foul on the marriage thing twenty, thirty or forty years into it.

But still…with the proliferation of pretty-people-getting-married-in-pretty-places wedding websites out there – and accompanying Masters-esque wedding photography, devoid of ugly people with sourpuss faces in shameful taffeta – the internet does occasionally present compelling evidence that we should, indeed, consider the knot, if only for the wedding.

Here are ten that will make you want to say, “okay…I do. If there’s a cupcake tower. And I can accessorize with twigs.”

1.) From Love My Dress, Sara and Dave’s Rockabilly Dream Wedding for Typography Obsessives.

2.) From Once Wed, the Give Me the Name of  Her Stylist rustically sophisticated New Zealand wedding.

3.) From A Practical Wedding, the You Wish Your Friends Were As Fun as Us gluten-free wedding.

4.) From Brooklyn Bride via Unusually Fine, the Let’s Hear it for Marriage Equality! Brooklyn Heights wedding.

5.) From Green Wedding Shoes, the I Do in Cockatoo Blue Wedding.

6.) From Style Me Pretty, the “look at these eggs…remind you of anything – like my fertility?!” Farm to Table Wedding.

7.) From Snippet & Ink, the Lace & Henna Wedding.

8.) From With This Ring, the “don’t just stand there, let’s get to it,” Vogue Wedding.

9.) From Rock ‘n’ Roll Bride, the Cave Wedding.

10.) From Recycled Bride, the Never Say Never Wedding. The bride is 93 and the groom? One hundred years young.

Image: Sean Choe

The post 10 Weddings That’ll Have You Running for the Altar appeared first on EcoSalon.

The vows haven’t changed so much over time – a promise to love and stand by your spouse through years of job stress, debilitating flu viruses and the awesome task of bringing new humans into the world.

But how you stage your wedding celebration can reduce your carbon footprint, according to the new planner Green Wedding by New York Times style writer, Mireya Navarro (below). As she puts it:

“Some environmentalists say the best green wedding is the one that doesn’t happen at all. Elope, they say. On a bicycle. But couples who stick to a more traditional approach can still plan the wedding of their dreams and do well by the environment.”

Recognizing that the bridal industry is a huge money-making monster that preys upon fulfilling the fantasies of wanna-be princesses (let’s face it, the groom can end up as a prop), the book walks us down the alternative aisle, steering clear of costly corporate venues with throw-away centerpieces and factory meat.

And don’t forget that costly dress most women wear once and store away.

Instead, she highlights the inventive service and parties thrown by a handful of couples committed to both preserving the union of marriage and the resources of our endangered planet.

It needn’t be “wasteful and gluttonous,” insisted one bride. Navarro’s examples went down leaner and greener paths.

One young woman, call her the anti-Bridezilla, said her ideal wedding celebration was going camping, and so she did, inviting guests to a historic reserve in the San Gabriel mountains for a weekend of bliss that included a four-mile hike with a pack train of mules carrying food and luggage.

Another couple composted their reception fare on-site, served an organic menu and offered cocktails with biodegradable stir sticks. Another made a statement with a portable cart featuring solar panels that powered the sound system.

There are some good ideas for dresses (borrowed, used or made of eco fabric), rings and the gift registry. Navarro also takes readers beyond the day to planning an eco honeymoon and the life happily ever after.

The post Something Recycled, Something Vintage, Something Borrowed, Something Green appeared first on EcoSalon.

Wedding bells are in the air and plans are in progress to make some name changes.

Despite the fact that weddings are typically big events, you can absolutely still adhere to being eco-conscious, from your dress to your gifts.

There are plenty of resources for you, from author/designer/former Martha Stewart employee Emily Anderson’s eco-chic weddings to Eco-Wedding (a complete bridal resource). Lots more out there, but I liked these two a lot.

There are also many designers who are more than willing to custom-design a stunning bridal gown or bridesmaid’s dress for your big day so that you’re not only the belle of the ball but can spin yarns about how you stayed true to your beliefs. Green isn’t just a trend in your life, it is your life.

Harper Della Piana/Seams

Designing, sewing, embroidering and beading international styles and vintage clothes, Harper Della-Piana hails from a career in New York making costumes and clothes for major motion pictures, television, Broadway and a celebrity clientele. Her Boston-area business combines retro details with modern lines, ethnic elements with western styles, and think-out-of-the-box innovations in hemp, peace silk and other sustainable fibers.

Tara Lynn

Vermont’s Tara Lynn has been dreaming and designing hemp wedding gowns since 1999. Tara Lynn’s gowns are made of 100% hemp, hemp/cotton and hemp/silk blends that look and feel luxurious. Not to mention all the fabulous embroidery.

Holly Stalder

You want couture but you want it eco-friendly? Check out Holly Stalder. Salvaging decadent fabrics, faded velvet ribbons and Edwardian lace, the Portland, Oregon designer creates one-of-a-kind and limited run bridal dresses, and accessories.

You might want to check out her current collection, as well.

I say smokin’.

Alison Kelly

The former Project Runway beauty has moved beyond the show and truly into her own as a versatile and coveted designer.

Though she doesn’t advertise it past an inner circle (sorry, Alison), she’s also a green wedding gown designer that many women (including her sister’s bridesmaids) have called on for their big day.

Working with an array of textiles, most of her dresses are made from organic cottons, silk and rayon with organic materials utilized when possible. Shop her collection while you’re at it.

Editor’s note: It’s Eco Wedding Week here at EcoSalon. Look for green wedding tips, product reviews and stories throughout our sections all week long.

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