Eco-friendly wedding tips to reduce your carbon footprint

Here's how to go green when you walk down the aisle

Year after year, Indian wed dings are growing bigger and grander, with couples leaving no stone unturned to make their D-day an elaborate affair. But if you're conscious of your environment and want to have a wedding that is friendly to Mother Nature, here's a guide on how you make that happen.

AN OUTDOOR LOCATION

Nothing says green, like a venue in the open. Typical wedding functions that are hosted in hotel ballrooms, resorts and halls use a lot of electricity , water and other resources for decorations. Opt for places like beaches, parks, botanical gardens etc., that can be converted into a wedding venue and which also offer a scenic view.

GO VINTAGE FOR YOUR DRESS

Of course, your wedding gown or sari will be your most cherished outfit. But if you want to save resources, a great idea is to give your mother or grandmother's wedding dress a makeover by personalising it to suit your sensibilities. Not only is this an eco-friendly idea, it is also a tradition that will eventually make for a great wedding story .

NATURAL MAKE-UP ON THE DAY

Your regular beauty products and cosmetics contain toxic chemicals that are usually absorbed through the skin and are bad for the environment. Don't forget to use organic and mineral products on your skin and hair.

ORGANIC FOODS

While planning your menu, make sure your caterer uses in-season local and organic raw ingredients, that haven't been treated with pesticides. This will support the local economy and also reduce your carbon footprint.

RECYCLE YOUR WEDDING INVITES

While it's the age of digital invites and wedding websites, if you want to go old-school and mail out invites, instead of using fancy wedding cards that waste paper, get your invitation printed on recycled material.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

This is a must-do for an eco-friendly wedding, as it offers a paperless, chemical-free way to capture your memories. A digital album is for keeps. If you want hard prints, another option is to sit down with your photographer once all your ceremonies are over and go through all the soft prints. Choose the ones which you want to be printed.Nowadays, many eco-conscious photographers are also opting for disposable batteries, non-toxic inks, LED and CFL bulbs.

ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY JEWELLERY

There are many jewellers who use recycled gold and stones while making ornaments. You can go for wedding rings that are sustainable and don't have the infamous `blood diamond' in them.

SUSTAINABLE DÉCOR

Instead of going for plastic decorations or using flowers that will eventually wither away, try potted blooms or plants as centrepieces in your functions. So, once the ceremony is over, your guests can take them home and replant them. If you're having a beach wedding, get creative and make use of sea shells etc., to enhance the decor.