Vol. 13 No. 8
Editor - Jan Weaver
208 Tucker Hall, MU 65211
by Jan Weaver
In the 19th century, the average middle class couple would have set a wedding date within a few months (or days!) of their engagement, put on their best clothes, and invited local family and friends to join them at their house of worship for a brief, simple ceremony followed by a shared meal prepared by the families and friends of the bride and groom.
Modern weddings are more likely to resemble a potlach - an elaborate and expensive ceremonial banquet whose goal is to raise a family's status by giving away as much as possible. The date may be more than a year in the future, to guarantee a shot at the right venue, caterer and band, and to ensure that even the remotest relatives, acquaintances and business associates can make it. The dress may cost the equivalent of a year's tuition at college and the food might feed a family in a developing country for a year. The average bill will probably top $25,000, not counting what the bridesmaids and groomsmen may spend on clothes and what all the guests may spend on travel and lodging.
In addition to the rising pricetag, there are also major environmental and social costs associated with today's typical wedding, and many couples are increasingly interested in turning both trends around. The following list of tips, gleaned from websites (especially Sami Grover's article below) and actual weddings may be useful for anyone planning a greener (and more cost-effective and meaningful) event.
1. The rings - Use family rings, purchase vintage/antique rings or have rings made from recycled gold and recycled or conflict free diamonds. New designs can be made from recycled metals and stones, so a couple can get exactly what they want.
2. The guests - Trim the list, limiting it to the community of family and friends really important for witnessing and celebrating a couple's commitment. If the list must be large, and families and friends live far apart, consider two ceremonies, one for each group (less impact for the couple to travel), or a simple, private ceremony and receptions in two places. Finally, investigate offsets for guests' travel.
3. The venue - Hold the ceremony and reception in the same place to reduce amount of travel. If not at a place of worship, consider a park, a local farm, a green building, or a locally owned business as a venue. It is a way to connect guests to nature, increase awareness about sustainable agriculture or green architecture, or to support a local restaurant, bookstore, bike shop or art gallery.
4. The invitations - Look for stationary that is recycled or made from tree free fibers. Often the papers can be enhanced with flowers or seeds (guests can plant them!). Keep the mailing simple, provide information on a website, allow guests to rsvp by email or phone.
5. The wedding clothes - If the wedding is informal, check out sources for hemp and organic cotton clothing for the wedding couple. If it is formal, tuxes can be rented and dresses can be borrowed from family or purchased from a vintage clothing or consignment shop. Go old-style - a best dress and/or a best suit (or best t-shirt and blue jeans for that matter). For the bridal party, set a color and theme and let the bridesmaids and groomsmen find clothes they will be able to wear again.
6. The decorations - Buy locally grown flowers, enlist a relative or friend who gardens to grow them, or check out local wildflowers and grasses (check regulations about picking!). Consider using natural objects that are sustainably and locally obtained: stones, shells, seed pods, leaves, twigs, pinecones, or use collections: books, pottery, art, model cars, that reflect shared interests. Only purchase items that can be reused or donated. Recycle or compost the decorations.
7. The food - Buy locally grown or produced organic meats, vegetables, fruits, grains, beers, and wines. Provide vegan and vegetarian options. Use washable plates, flat ware and glasses for formal events, and look for compostable service if it is an informal event. Donate, give away or compost the leftovers.
8. The gifts - Set up a charitable donations gift registry. Guests can choose to donate school books and uniforms, immunizations, carbon credits, an acre of habitat, whatever the couple cares about. Set up registries at eco-living websites, or point guests in that direction, with a list of the things that can be used and that reduce environmental impacts - solar cells, hemp slipcovers, recycled glassware. Ask for memories instead of gifts - invite guests to add a photo, a poem, advice or anecdotes to a wedding album.
9. The honeymoon - Keep it local to cut the carbon, or travel by bike, car, bus or train if possible. Check out hotels and resorts that have sustainable practices.
10. Be realistic - A wedding is not just a commitment ceremony for a couple, it is also a celebration. After all, the most environmentally responsible thing might be to simply elope, but it could be disastrous for family relations. If a couple is planning something out of the ordinary, it is important to keep people informed of the more unusual aspects, including why the couple is choosing to do it this way. The upside is that a green wedding is a chance to show off all kinds of positive green options to an audience that might not be too environmentally conscious.
Useful websites
green weddings - http://www.greeneleganceweddings.com/
how to green your wedding (Sami Grover) - http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/how-to-green-your-wedding.php
socially responsible rings - http://www.greenkarat.com/about/about.asp; http://www.brilliantearth.com/EngageWebbands.aspx
wedding clothes - http://www.rawganique.com/organic-hemp-wedding-clothes.htm;
http://www.threadheadcreations.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc; http://www.thegreenloop.com/Dresses_and_Skirts_s/79.htm
http://www.annatarian.com/pages/ecoclothing/bridal/ (the silk worms survive!)
food - http://www.localharvest.org/ (interactive map, searchable database)
charitable gifts registry - http://www.changingthepresent.org/weddings (charge 3% grant +0.30 per item)
eco gifts sources - viva terra http://www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main; http://branchhome.com/;
http://www.gaiam.com/retail/gai_shophome.asp; http://store.greenfeet.com/index.asp?&WT.mc_id=DirectTrack
travel offsets - http://www.terrapass.com/; http://www.nativeenergy.com/
green hotels - http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2007-06-10-green-hotels-usat_N.htm;
http://www.fineliving.com/fine/insiders_list/article/0,1663,FINE_17956_3307827,00.html
BioRegional Quiz - Which birds begin migrating south in August?
Bikepro Youth Bike Classes Aug 8 + 18:00-20:00 Riechman Pav, Stephens 10-14 yrs, 4 meetings, $10 573- 874-7460 / www.pednet.org
Nature Detectives Aug 8 Rock Bridge Mem St Park nature for preK, registration req 573-815-9255 / mjdonlsn@aol.com / http://rockbridge.missouri.org
Confident City Cycling Classes Aug 11 + 9:00 -12:00 Rock Quarry House 15-adult, 3 meetings, $20 573-874-7460 / www.pednet.org
Native Garden Tours Aug 11 10:00-12:00 tba rain gardens cmazzacano@gmail.com / http://wildones.missouri.org
Show-Me Yards Workshop Aug 14, 21,28 18:30-21:00 ARC environ. lawn care, registration req 573-874-7616 / mona.menezes@gocolumbiamo.com
Bat Viewing & Cave Tours Aug 18 19:30 Rock Bridge Mem St Park registration req 573-449-7402
Explore Rock Bridge - Clear CreekSurvey Aug 18 13:00-15:00 Rock Bridge Mem St Park map features of a section of Clear Creek 573-815-9255 / Mjdonlsn@aol.com / http://rockbridge.missouri.org
Outdoor, Nature, Environ. & Sustain Grps Aug 22 18:30-20:00 Public Library for reps of groups to exchange info weaverjc@missouri.edu /
Raptor Awareness Program Aug 24 18:30-19:30 Rock Bridge Mem St Park live hawk, vulture, falcon & owls, free, res req 573-449-7400 / roxie.campbell@dnr.mo.gov
Group Bike Ride Aug 26 14:30 Flat Branch Park monthly ride 573-875-0539 / http://www.midmopeaceworks.org/sustainableliving.php
"Where Do Frogs Live When Not in Ponds?" Aug 28 19:00 Unitarian Church 2615 Shepard Mo Frogs 573-815-9255 / Mjdonlsn@aol.com / http://rockbridge.missouri.org/
Stream Extravaganza Sept 6 18:00-20:00 Flat Branch Park family fun, frogs, fishing, learning 573-817-6447 / mona.menezes@gocolumbiamo.com
Columbia Bioblitz Sept 7-8 5:00 MLK Park race to id species http://bioblitz.missouri.edu/
Plantings at Crossings Sept 9 10:00 Crossings put in new plants 573-239-4627 / wildonesmo@yahoo.com
Tour of Missouri Pro Cycling Race Sept 11-16 KC >> StL tourofmissouri.com
Sustainable Living Fair 2007 Sept 15 10:00-18:00 Unity Center
1600 Bway workshops, booths, free! http://www.slfcolumbia.org/
Ozark Renew. Energy & Sustainable Living Expo Sept 22-23 Le Bourgois Winery 314-727-06000 / enoble@moenviron.org / http://www.ozarkre.org/
AUDUBON SOCIETY: 874-3904 / columbia-audubon.missouri.org Meet 3rd Wed 7:30 pm, Unitarian Church, 2615 Shepard Blvd.
BIG CANOE: 573-875-8590 / bryce_crispies@yahoo.com / http://www.bigcanoemo.org/ - Saturday workdays 10-1 at 406 Sanford
BOONE COUNTY SMART GROWTH COALITION: http://smartgrowth.missouri.org/, 1st Weds 7:15 Boone Co Govt Ctr.
CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING: 875-0539 or http://www.midmopeaceworks.org/sustainableliving.php
CHOUTEAU GROTTO: http://chouteau.missouri.org/, Meet 1st Wed, 7 pm, The Casteel Building, 1518 Business Loop 70 East
COLUMBIA CLIMATE CHANGE COALITION: 573-529-9273, http://www.columbiaclimatechangecoalition.org/
COLUMBIA FOOD CIRCLE: 882-7463 or http://foodcircles.missouri.edu/sources.htm
COLUMBIA PUBLIC WORKS VOL. PROGRAMS: 874-6271 or http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/Opportunities/#PW
CITIZENS WATERSHED COMMITTEE: (573) 526-8916, Third Tuesdays, 6:30 pm, Daniel Boone Bldg
COMMUNITY GARDEN COALITION: 875-5995 or cgardenc@yahoo.com or http://cgc.missouri.org
ENV EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES: http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/
FRIENDS OF BIG MUDDY: friends@friendsofbigmuddy.org or www.friendsofbigmuddy.org
FRIENDS OF ROCK BRIDGE M. S. P.: 815-9255 or http://rockbridge.missouri.org/ Outdoors Bldg, 200 Old 63 S.
GREENBELT LAND TRUST OF MID-MISSOURI: 442-4789, greenbelt.land.trust @gmail.com or http://greenbelt.missouri.org
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE: 815-9836, drop off/ buy 1906 Monroe St. Columbia Mon to Fri 8:30 to 3:30, Sat 8-1 1pm,
MISSOURI ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: www.meea.org
MO NATIVE PLANT SOC.: http://columbianativeplants.missouri.org/, 2nd Mon, odd months, 7 p.m., UU Church, 2615 Shepard
MISSOURI RIVER COMMUNITIES NETWORK: 573-256-2602 or www.moriver.org or moriver@coin.org
PEDNET COALITION: email: pednet@pednet.org or http://www.pednet.org
RIVER RELIEF: http://www.riverrelief.org/
ROCK BRIDGE MEMORIAL STATE PARK: 449-7402 or http://rockbridge.missouri.org
SHOW ME CLEAN STREAMS COALITION: (573) 751-4115 ext 3169 or www.mostreamteam.org
SIERRA CLUB: 875-2916, http://missouri.sierraclub.org/osage/index.htm 3rd Tuesdays 7:30 pm Hillel Found., 1107 University Ave
WILD ONES: 573 882-9909, ext 3257 or email wildonesmo@yahoo.com, http://wildones.missouri.org Meetings 2nd Saturdays.
Answer to BioRegional Quiz - Warblers, Hummingbirds, Purple Martins, Shorebirds - look for unusual species as they head south.
Feedback - Got an opinion? If we have space, we will consider publishing it. Submit it by email (envstudy@missouri.edu), snail mail (Environmental Studies, 211 Lowry , MU, Columbia MO 65211), or call Jan Weaver to talk about it (882-7116). MU Environmental Network News is published by MU's Environmental Studies Initiative. All opinions expressed are the responsibility of the editor. Any part of this newsletter may be copied for distribution but please give us credit.