Destination Weddings: Part One

So you want to have your wedding far away at a gorgeous and romantic location? We can't really blame you. The culture, food, and surroundings of a destination wedding are absolutely breathtaking. While the travel associated with a destination isn't always eco-friendly, there are definitely ways you can still have your dream wedding and keep the earth in mind.

Photo Credit: Shane and Jess Keenan, That's Amore! Green Wedding in Italy

Transportation: This is obviously one of the biggest concerns with having a destination wedding and keeping it green. Flying you and your wedding guests half way across the world results in carbon emissions. Luckily, you do have some options to lessen your impact.  When booking your flight, ask your travel agent if they have a carbon offset package, or purchase carbon offsets yourself through an organization like Carbon Fund.

Once you arrive at your destination try using public transportation for the rest of the trip. Take a train, bus, boat, bike, or get in some sightseeing on foot. These are all great ways to see the countryside and take in your exotic setting.

Venue: Have your ceremony and reception outside in your exquisite location to make use of the natural décor and save money and waste from purchasing decorations.

Photo Credit: Jacklyn Greenberg/JAGStudios

Keep both your ceremony and reception at a common location to not only minimize your guests' need to travel in an unfamiliar place, but also to eliminate the associated emissions from the additional travel. Take advantage of any opportunities to showcase regional cuisine, entertainment and customs by using local vendors and seasonal foods. You likely selected this location because you enjoyed the landscape and aspects of the culture, so be sure to share these with your guests. You'll be stimulating the local economy and cutting down on your wedding's impact.

Photo Credit: Rebecca Wilkowski Photography

Flowers and Décor: If your wedding venue is also taking care of the flowers, or if you've hired a florist in the area of your destination, ask them to be sure they are incorporating local, seasonal blooms. The benefit of a destination wedding is the potential to have flowers that are unusual and exotic to you and your guests, but are simply part of the landscape of your wedding locale. If you choose DIY flowers, be inspired by your surroundings and find wildflowers that complement your wedding colors.

Photo Credit: I Do Believe Photography

Integrate the natural beauty of your destination into your decor: gather seashells on a moonlit stroll with your fiancé, or collect leaves or unusual stones to display in mason jars as centerpieces. These are just a few ideas for using the surrounding landscape sustainably to enhance your wedding decor.

Next Week: More on how to have an eco-chic destination wedding with information on food and drink, gifts and favors, and making the most of your honeymoon with the earth in mind.