Make planning your special day a little easier with our eco-friendly wedding checklist. From flowers to favors, and everything in between, we’ve got the big stuff covered.

Your wedding day is all about you, and if that means you’ll be sharing your love of all things sustainable, then say “I do” to what (and who) you love!

Kristen Maxwell Cooper, executive editor of The Knot, shared invaluable tips with us on how to make your wedding day a little (okay, a lot) greener. Between the nuptial guru’s expert take on eco-friendly planning, our in-the-know deets on conscious ceremonies, and a bit of help from Martha Stewart, you’ll have a well-rounded guide to marrying your love for one other with your mutual love of the environment. The best part? You don’t have to sacrifice style for sustainability.

The Venue

When it comes to the location, Cooper recommends outdoor venues as the ideal choice. Not only will they provide plenty of natural light, but vineyards, botanical gardens, and hilltops will offer plenty of ambiance, too. Farms and refurbished barns are also options for your wedding day and usually come with conveniences like indoor plumbing, so you don’t have to forgo the usual comforts.

Cooper also understands that outdoor ceremonies and receptions don’t work for everyone, but does believe “there are several ways you can make it green.” Holding both reception and ceremony in one place means no extra travel, which translates to fewer vehicle emissions. Plus, you can always “look for hotels that recycle and use energy-efficient appliances and biodegradable products,” and have your wedding entirely indoors. Tip: bring in some candles for less energy consumption and more ambiance.

The Invites

Invitations are often the first impression that your guests will have of what’s to come on your wedding day. And if your love for the environment runs as deep as your love for your future spouse, then going the seeded paper route is one really cool (and green) option. The actual product is really beautiful, plus they send a great message — in more ways than one.

While Cooper does suggest “old school snail mail” for the wedding invites, The Knot says paperless save-the-dates are gaining in popularity. It also suggests directing guests to your wedding website for more details, reducing the need for excess inserts. And when in doubt, recommends choosing recycled paper invites that are printed with soy-based inks.

The Dress

Whether it’s your “something old” in vintage form, or you prefer your dress to be off-the-rack new, there are several designers catering to your eco-friendly wedding dress needs. From fabulous collections of hand-selected pre-loved gowns, to designers who consciously construct their creations from sustainable fabrics, recycled remnants, and use admirable manufacturing and zero waste production principles, there’s a dream dress out there for you yet.

For a vintage dress, check out Sparrow Bridal Shop. For couture-style gowns, look to designer Sanyukta Shrestha. And for affordable bridal collections under $600, visit the ever-sustainable, ever-chic Reformation.

The Rings

Don’t drop the ball when it comes to choosing rings. Ethical, sustainably sourced jewelry is also an important part of coming full-circle when planning an eco-friendly wedding. The destruction from gold mining, and the chaos caused by conflict diamonds in Africa should be enough to have you reconsidering popping down to your big box engagement ring superstore.

After lots of research, and an in-depth article, our four favorite conflict-free (and oftentimes charitable) engagement ring retailers are: Brilliant Earth, Fair Trade Jewellery Co., Do Amore, and Catbird Jewelry. And if none of these fit the bill, then vintage rings are the way to go!

The Food

Farm-to-table is the best way to cater your wedding, and making the menu completely vegan is even better! Don’t believe us? Then take it from the “good things” expert herself, Martha Stewart, who recently released an article on how to successfully throw a vegan wedding, even when guests are expecting meat.

First and foremost, it’s your day, so it should be your way! She also suggested choosing experienced caterers that know how to dress up veggies and bring out their flavors. Adding that familiar foods are always a good idea, the article suggested items similar to what  PETA staffer and World of Vegan founder Michelle Cehn had at her vegan wedding. A buffet of “bruschetta,  stuffed mushrooms, dairy-free pesto rotini, vegetable tian, roasted petite red potatoes, vegan quiche, and artisan bread and olive oil” kept her guests very happy.

Aside from veganizing your wedding cake, think about taking it down a tier or two. Towering cakes are often for show and most wedding parties don’t put more than a small dent in them. Choose an option that fits your headcount, or go with something that offers small bites and lots of variety, like a dessert bar. Plus, you can give out any leftovers or take them home with you.  

The Favors

Ditch the plastic thingamabobs and doodads for something your guests can either eat or cultivate. Cooper really likes the idea of giving “plantable favors like potted saplings, herbs or succulents,” but cautions, “if a lot of wedding guests are traveling, keep in mind that they probably won’t want to pack a pot of soil into their suitcase, so consider biodegradable seed packets if you’re committed to the plant route.”

For couples who love food, visit local small businesses to fulfill your favor needs. From gourmet coffee beans to gluten-free cupcakes, you can get as creative, or traditional, as you’d like. A more unique spin would be to make charitable donations in honor of your guests. Cooper recommends displaying “a sign letting guests know you’ve made a donation to a meaningful cause in lieu of favors, or pick a few favorites and let guests choose their favorite option.”

The Flowers

Your wedding checklist isn’t complete without flowers, but just because they come from the earth doesn’t mean they’re good for it. Pesticides and toxic chemicals are used on non-organic flowers, which is bad news for the environment and the people exposed to them. Not to mention, many of these flowers are actually shipped from other countries entirely. Buy organic whenever possible, and try this link to search chemical-free botanicals in your area.

Cooper’s team suggests talking to your local florist about in-season flowers, or choosing VeriFlora-certified flowers for those that aren’t in season. Aside from using potted blooms that can be taken home afterwards, it’s also been suggested that the couple use the same flowers at both the ceremony and the reception, then schedule to have a company like Rebloom or Repeat Roses pick them up and repurpose them. You can also call ahead and ask to donate the flowers to a hospital or nursing home.

The Registry

When it comes to wedding checklists, most events aren’t complete without a gift registry. With the power to choose sustainably and ethically made products, you can craft a registry that reflects your tastes. Whether that means you opt for tea towels made from organic cotton, or you direct guests to donate to the charity of your choosing, there are plenty of options to please everyone. Looking for an exclusive green registry? Try Are Naturals.

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Picking out a wedding gown should be a total gas. And while the dress you wear on your wedding day should be special, it shouldn’t be so special that you can never wear it again–and we’re not talking about a second or third marriage, either. Luckily, there are plenty of unique wedding dresses and other beautiful gowns that can serve that dual purpose.

1. ’70s Style

If you’re totally smitten with the trendy but eternal look of the 1970s, you’ll love this dress. This beautiful mini dress is white and features dramatic wide sleeves. It has a simple design, but its crochet cutouts on the arms and midsection make it a bit more elegant and subtly sexy. We like a loose hairstyle with this piece that’s not impeded by any veils. Add cork, platform sandals and a small, local bouquet to finish the retro look. After your wedding day, you can easily wear this piece in the early spring and on brisk summer days for years to come. Priced at a more than affordable $148.

2. Blush Maxi Dress

If you prefer a long, flowing dress, this is a great piece to consider. Its light pink hue is gorgeous and gives off a Greek goddess vibe. Add a flower crown and some simple, gladiator sandals and your wedding day look is set. After your wedding day, you can wear this piece to summer cocktail parties and brunches. Priced at $168.

3. Lilac Lace

Lace is always appropriate to wear on one’s wedding day and this piece has it in spades. We love this piece’s light lilac color — although it does come in white — and its swing silhouette. If you want to dress this dress up, we suggest adding a vintage, blush veil, and a cascading bouquet filled with purple and white blooms. Dress it down by opting to go barefoot and carrying a lose bouquet of flowers from your garden. Wear this dress all through the warmer months at any outdoor event. Priced at $168.

4. Wedding Romper

Don’t want to wear a dress on the big day? We don’t blame you. And that’s why we love the idea of a wedding romper. This piece is just as elegant as any wedding gown but so much funkier. Wear it with sandals or clogs and a woven crown. After the wedding it can basically be worn anywhere at any time of day because this piece is that fashionable. Priced at $1,500.

5. Fitted Maxi

If you’re looking for a form-fitting dress, consider this. It features a chest keyhole and a slit up the front. Play up its princess vibes by wearing a subtle tiara and a classic pair of flirty heels. You can wear this dress from the spring, summer, and into the fall by easily adding accessories for extra warmth and different types of shoes to take it from a dressed up look to casually flirty.

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Image of girl in simple wedding dress with groom via Shutterstock

The post 5 Versatile and Unique Wedding Dresses You Can Easily Wear Again appeared first on EcoSalon.

Eco-friendly summer wedding dresses make that special day even more special.

To help you with planning, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite eco-friendly summer wedding dresses for sustainably minded brides with differing styles and tastes. Organic fabrics, repurposed vintage materials and pre-owned dresses are all wonderful and sustainable choices for a stylish, romantic and eco conscious look.

1. Aster Eco Gown by Janay A
A beautiful bride is like the most pristine flower, and this Aster gown from Kansas City based Janay A is perfect for the part with its gorgeously cascading petals adorning the front and back of the dress. Made from hemp silk, this stunning creation is custom crafted by hand, and can be made without the one-shoulder strap if preferred.

2. Nicola Dress by Minna
This sweet and unassuming summer wedding dress is perfect for a woodland or cottage charm inspired wedding. Made from silk and Scottish lace, this beauty simply slips on and brings out natural beauty. London based designer Minna advises wearing it with a sash and headband alongside wood block sandals, a vintage clutch and shawl for the full look.

3. Dana Gown by Deborah Lindquist
This stunning gown is made from organic linen and vintage lace, with freshwater pearls and mother of pearl adorning the bodice. The rosettes on the skirt are romantic and dreamy, and perfect for a flower-themed wedding. The simplicity of linen and the opulence of the vintage lace and pearls come together beautifully in this dress.

4. Easton Dress from Blue Sky Bridal
Based in Seattle, Blue Sky Bridal sources the finest pre-owned wedding dresses and provides brides on a budget with a plethora of options for their special day. The Easton dress above is a Monique Lhuillier design in blush colored silk overlaid with ivory Alencon lace – a very elegant and romantic choice. Browse their online collection to find dresses in many different styles, sizes and price ranges, and do your part to give new life to a wedding gown.

5. Astarte by Nicole Lenzen
Named after the Phoenician goddess of fertility, the Astarte dress by Brooklyn-based Nicole Lenzen is simple, sweet and elegant. This two-piece is made from yellow cotton and adorned with a silk sash and a vintage fabric flower, making it unique and ideal for a warm summer night. 

6. Avenue Diagonal at ECO Bridal Gowns
ECO Bridal Gowns is a Colorado-based company that specializes in offering pre-owned wedding dresses at affordable prices. The online shop currently offers gowns from San Patrick, Wtoo, Venus Exclusive, Encore and Avenue Diagonal, whose classic dress pictured above is sure to make any woman feel like a princess.

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Images: Janay A, Minna, Deborah Lindquist, Blue Sky Bridal, Nicole Lenzen, ECO Bridal Gowns

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