Green is the New White (Wedding Gown)
"Something old, something new, something borrowed..." is the old adage about wedding. For the 21st century, "something green?" ...
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Shop, eat, save the EarthTalk about a sea change. At weddings 15 years ago, senior marketing manager Low Mei Lin and her husband were the only ones leaving their bowls of shark’s fin soup untouched. But not now. At recent weddings she attended, more than half of the bowls of the traditional delicacy remained unconsumed on the banquet tables, shunned by those worried about its association with animal cruelty. This is a turnaround for a dish that for generations has been a part of Chinese culture. Some young couples are now doing away with it entirely at their wedding celebrations. The slippery slide of the gelatinous soup from treat to travesty is the fin edge of the wedge marking the rise of the ethical consumer in Singapore. The trend hit headlines recently when NTUC FairPrice, the largest supermarket chain here, said it will stop selling shark’s fin products from April, following a public outcry. But the trend is not just concentrated on shark’s fin. Eco wedded bliss; wedding instead.Whether it's a pot-luck gathering of friends in the local park, or an organically-catered event at an eco venue, a green wedding celebrates love whilst respecting the planet too. With the average white wedding costing over £20,000 and emitting 15 tonnes of CO2, rethinking some of the golden wedding rules could help you - and the Earth - breathe a little easier. "Whether the two of you are the greenest people on the block or just like the idea of sending out e-vites rather than paper ones, how green your wedding gets is entirely up to you," says Mireya Navarro, author of Green Wedding: Planning Your Eco-Friendly Celebration. "A green wedding is wise in its choices but still tailored to suit your dreams," she explains. "Ultimately, it should stand against waste and excess and get you to rethink every aspect of the big event, from the number of guests who have to fly or drive long distances to the usefulness of plastic trinkets as party favours." With a bit of research, you'll find that by sourcing local flowers or choosing a local venue, your green wedding will be cheaper than a white one, especially if you're a little creative in your decision-making. 7 Ways to Green Your Wedding DayIf you are exchanging rings, consider giving heirloom jewels or ethically mined and harvested diamonds, gold, gems and platinum. Wear vintage gowns and suits or those made from eco-fabrics. Use locally grown, pesticide free wildflowers and natural materials to decorate. Serve food and beverages made from organic, locally harvested produce and vineyards. If the wedding is to be indoors, rent out a building that is built to greener standards, or one that donates a percentage of profits to environmental causes. Consider a museum, an art gallery, botanical garden, historical home or cultural center for the reception. As much as possible, consider how you can minimize the power requirements of your wedding by maximizing the use of natural lighting and cooling/heating options. Instead of gifts, have your guests donate money to environmental or other causes that are important to the bride and groom. If you are going to give your guests any party favors, make them eco-conscious. Candles |