Eco-Friendly Weddings: The Dress

[Photo from Adele Wechsler]

Having an eco-friendly wedding gown no longer means sacrificing style. Some companies advertise "eco-chic" gowns - but in some smaller towns it can be tough to find a supplier that carries and eco-chic line of dresses. Here are some things you can ask about the dress you're considering to find out if it's an eco-friendly choice:

1. Where was it made? And who made it? This falls partly into the transportation factor of an eco-friendly wedding; clearly, the closer to home the dress was made the better (and this includes where the materials originally came from... not just where the dress was tailored). The second question is an uncomfortable one to think about - but just consider this, you want to make sure that the person who made your dress did so in healthy and safe working conditions and that he/she was paid fairly for his/her work. Period. Typically, locally made dresses cost a little more because the dress-maker was paid appropriately for his/her work.

2. What materials were used in making the dress? There are certain fabrics that are more "socially responsible" than other. Natural fibres including hemp, organic cotton, peace silk and bamboo are among some of the more popular options.

3. Looking for something white? Choose a colour that's not perfectly white. Those ultra-white wedding dresses didn't get that way all on their own. Making a dress really white requires the use of harmful chemicals. So go for a shade that's not quite white.

Among my favourite eco-chic wedding gown designers is Canadian designer Adele Wechsler in Toronto. Her gowns are GORGEOUS and oh so environmentally friendly! Some of the world's top eco-chic bridal gown designers include Morgan Boszilkov, Deborah Lindquist and Tara Lynn.
Can't find the perfect eco-friendly dress?

Choosing an eco-friendly dress doesn't have to be difficult. If you can't find a dress that's eco-friendly why not consider wearing something second-hand? After all, "Re-use" is one of the three Rs, right? Why not perk up a gorgeous vintage gown. Not only will it be eco-chic but it's so romantic!

Cheers!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

[Photo from Weddingbells Blog]

Eco-Friendly Weddings: Transportation

[image courtesy of Southampton Cycling Campain]

Transportation is one of those crucial items that can really add to the carbon footprint of a wedding. You may not even realize how much transportation is required for your wedding until you consider some to the following items:

- How many guests do you have coming from out-of-town?

- Will your guests have to travel far between to get to the ceremony and then again between the ceremony and the reception (and of course, to get home again)?

- Think about where various items are coming from. Your dress, your food, your wine, your shoes, your jewellery, your invitations, your rings, your decor, and so forth. Are you choosing items that were made locally?

- Do you require rental items that are not already on-site? Such as chairs, tents, tables, linens, tableware, etc?

Those are just a few things that will add to the overall travel total of your wedding.

Cutting back just a little on travel time can be very easy. Choose a one-site wedding where you can have your ceremony, your photo session, and your reception all in one place. If you must travel between locations consider using bicycles, row-boats, or a horse and carriage.

Select as many locally grown/produced products as you can.

Cut your guest list down and/or ask guests to carpool.

Reducing the overall transportation requirements for your wedding can be very simple. Give it some thought.

Cheers!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

Weekly Wedding Quote

Behind every great man there is a surprised woman.



- Maryon Pearson

Eco-Friendly Weddings: The Venue

There are many things to take into consideration when searching for an earth friendly wedding venue. Here are some ideas to get you started:

.

1. Choose a local venue to reduce travel time to and from.

.

2. An outdoor ceremony is ideal as you reduce/eliminate the need for heating/air conditioning, electricity, lighting, decor etc. (Think park, farm, garden, field, lakeside, mountain, etc).

.

3. Consider a single-site wedding (ceremony & reception at one location).

.

4. If selecting a location that offers catering ask if they use local ingredients.

.

5. Reduce your guest list in order to use a smaller venue (and thereby, less resources).

.

Happy Planning!

.

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

Eco-Friendly Weddings: GREEN is the new WHITE

We hear a lot of talk about the environment these days. It ranks among the top issues on the government agenda and as time goes on more and more companies are “going green” with eco-friendly products.

We're also learning about ways to reduce our own carbon footprint in our day-to-day lives and as more and more people become aware of the environmental impact we're having on the planet we are searching for more ways to change.

But what does it mean to "go green" on your wedding day? Why do people do it? And how can you do it too?

This is the topic I’ll be focusing on for the next couple of weeks. We'll explore the many ways that your wedding can have an impact on the environment and the types of things you can do to soften the blow. Some things are easier than others so don't feel that you need to follow green wedding guidelines to the letter. Even very simple changes can make a difference.

So why this shift toward planet-friendly nuptials? Most people don't realize the enormous impact that a single wedding can have on the environment. Consider, for example, that the average wedding emits approximately 14.5 tons of CO2. To most people that number is fairly meaningless; however, if you compare it to the fact that most people emit only 12 tons of CO2 over the course of the entire year you start to get an idea of where the motivation is coming from.

Emily Anderson wrote a fantastic book on how to incorporate planet-conscious elements into your big day while still demonstrating your own unique style. You can also check out her blog for some great tips on planning your day.

We'll be discussing how each aspect of your big day can impact the environment and I'll be offering tips and resources throughout for more eco-friendly solutions.

So stay tuned over the coming weeks and feel free to leave comments and ask questions as we go.

Cheers!

Sophie
Coverall Event Coordination

Weekly Wedding Quote

"
A man in love is incomplete until he is married. Then he's finished.

- Zsa Zsa Gabor

Vendor Selection: The Venue

Venue selection can either "make" or "break" an event. The same goes for your wedding. With a vast number of hotels, golf clubs, halls, museums, and other venues to choose from, visiting and researching every venue is simply not an option. Your venue should be your first booking. This will allow you to solidify your wedding date so that you can move on to selecting other vendors. You'll want to book your venue as soon after your engagement as you can... but don't be too hasty. Here are a few tips to help focus your research and narrow your list:

Consider

1. Style/Ambiance

2. Size

3. Budget

4. Location

1. Style/Ambiance: What kind of atmosphere are you trying to create? Do you want a chic upscale event in a trendy part of the city? Do you want a comfortable backyard feel? Do you want your ceremony and reception at the same location? Do you want a small intimate gathering with close family and friends? Or would you prefer a big party where everyone you've ever know is welcome to join in? Different locations cater to different types of atmosphere. It would be difficult, for example, to hold a small, intimate family affair in the middle of a dance club.

2. Size: The guest list will play a role in narrowing your choices. Select a venue that will hold your guests comfortably but that's not so spcaious that your reception seems empty (even 300 people can seem lost in a room that can hold 600). You also don't want to cram your guests into a room like a bunch of sardines. When asking how many people a room will hold be sure to clarify whether the number is based on a banquet set up and whether it accounts for dance floor space.

3. Budget: On average, about half of your total wedding budget will go into your venue (including rentals, food, alcohol, fees, and gratuities). Don't rely on menus to help you determine cost (the cost for room rentals and other fees can vary greatly from one venue to the next). Instead, request a quote from a few venues that you're interested in and compare costs.

4. Location: Do you want a destination wedding or an intimate country gathering. Be mindful of the unique considerations that comes with different venues. For example, for a downtown venue consider parking restrictions. When considering a remote country venue consider nearby accomodations for your guests. Also, bear in mind that the most sought out locations tend to book up pretty quickly so you may have to book two or even three years in advance.

Whether you'r booking a prime location or not you'll want to book your venue as soon as you can. At the very least, book 1 year in advance. The longer you wait the fewer options you'll have (not only in venue selection but in vendor selection too).

Good luck!

Sophie
Coverall Event Coordination