The day of your wedding should be memorable, personal and ever so elegant, although that means many different things to couples around the world. Every year, weddings sadly generate a huge amount of waste. Various resources are utilised, sometimes unsystematically, and vast amounts of money is spent on items that are not likely to be [...]

The day of your wedding should be memorable, personal and ever so elegant, although that means many different things to couples around the world. Every year, weddings sadly generate a huge amount of waste. Various resources are utilised, sometimes unsystematically, and vast amounts of money is spent on items that are not likely to be used again. Couples that feel strongly about remaining eco-friendly will, therefore, want to take every precaution against misusing the natural resources available to them, as well as from spending time and money on unnecessary aspects of a ‘traditional’ wedding.

Some of the traditional wedding practices of various countries throughout the world are particularly greenminded, making them ideal for eco-friendly couples. Implementing them in your own wedding day will ensure that you make less of an impact on your environment and that you raise awareness amongst your friends and family of the dire need to protect Earth.

Italian Weddings
With so many wedding presents being are returned by bridal couples after their honeymoon, there is a growing need to replace these with something genuinely wanted and needed (read: hard cash). Returning gifts is not only a waste of time and money, but is also costly and harmful in terms of all the petrol used by the vehicles, the paperwork necessary for refunds, etc… Therefore, the Italian tradition of giving the couple money instead of gifts is most effective. A bag is passed around amongst the guests and donations dropped into it.

Indonesian Weddings
In rural areas of Indonesia, invitations to a wedding are delivered in person, rather than printing formal wedding stationery. So, when couples have to decide on who they would like as their wedding guests, they really can only choose those that are within walking distance. If you decide on this tradition, you will certainly save money on design and printing. You will also be in great shape for your big day! The fewer number of guests also means enormous savings on all aspects of your special day in financial terms.

Jewish Weddings
Traditionally, Jewish couples wed under a marriage canopy called a Chuppah. Should you decide to make use of such a canopy, you may be spared the extra cost of hiring a reception venue. Make your canopy out of indigenous flowers and pretty branches for a fabulous eco-friendly option under the shade of a big tree.

Spanish Weddings
For Spanish couples, it is traditional for the bride to embroider a wedding shirt for her groom-to-be to wear on their wedding day. This is not only personal and special, but it also saves the couple the costs of hiring a shirt. In addition, the groom will be able to keep his shirt for years after his big day.

Canadian Weddings
Canadian wedding guests pay a dollar or two to kiss the bride and / or groom in congratulations. The amount that guests choose to donate is absolutely optional. The bigger the wedding, the more money the couple can make for kissing their friends and family. If they make enough, this money can be put towards their honeymoon.

Nikolaevsk Weddings
Nikolaevsk is a remote town in Alaska. Here, formal wedding clothing (even for the guests) is more difficult to come by, and the range is limited. Therefore, it is traditional for the bride-to-be and her friends and entourage to sew the wedding clothes for all of the groom’s family members. This not only saves money, it also ensures that the family is dressed in a way that suits the wedding colour scheme and theme.

Buddhist Weddings
Of course, the ultimate greenminded wedding tradition is the Buddhist one of not having a reception at all. Buddhist couples share their civil ceremony with their nearest and dearest, but then the celebrations are over. This kind of wedding can still be intimate and very special, without the costs, effort or resources of a reception.

Photo Credit: Bodhi Vision