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5 Eco-Friendly Takes on Popular Wedding Trends

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Marriage is a beautiful thing, but the average American wedding is keeping a dirty little secret -- it's estimated that each of the 2.5 million weddings that take place each year produces 400 to 600 pounds of garbage and 62 tons of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. On your big day, don't contribute to that frightening figure. Instead, take a look at the best eco-friendly alternatives to some of the popular wedding trends and traditions that are terrible for the environment. succulent_wedding_favor Photo by Mirelle Carmichae on Wedding Chicks via Loverly. 1. Instead of balloons...try umbrellas.  Balloons are a lot of fun and they make great wedding decor, but unfortunately, they are far from green. Not only do they contribute to the landfill once the "I dos" are done, they're extremely harmful to birds, sea life, and other animals that may swallow them. Instead of balloons, try hanging vintage umbrellas at your venue! They're stylish and colorful, just like balloons, and if you rent or borrow them, they won't end up at the dump after your wedding. 2. Instead of plastic confetti...opt for lavender or rose petals.  We know how great glittering confetti looks when it's tossed over the newlyweds as they make their grand exit. But consider where all that plastic goes after the big moment. If you're marrying outside, much of it will remain on the ground where animals might find and swallow it. If your wedding is indoors, it will be swept up and tossed in the trash -- just another thing added to the landfill. Skip the plastic confetti and try a lavender or flower petal toss instead. Both smell great, have the same visual impact, and will biodegrade, leaving behind no waste. 3. Instead of exotic and out-of-season flowers...pick local blooms.  If you're dreaming of peonies for your December "I dos," you just might want to reconsider. Nearly every flower has a specific growing season (except for these flowers, which are always in season), and buying flowers -- such as peonies, which only bloom in the spring -- out of season is not only expensive, it's hard on Mother Earth. Choosing non-local flowers means your blossoms have to be shipped from faraway places, which involves transportation (burning fossil fuels) and chemical fertilizers that can leach into the soil. Skip the out-of-season blooms and go for a picked-from-the-garden look using local wildflowers, or talk to a nursery to learn about plants that are native to your region. You might be surprised by what you find! 4. Instead of diamonds...wear a lab-created stone. The environmental and social impacts of diamond mining can be devastating -- lakes and other waterways are often destroyed, greenhouse gas production goes through the roof, and animal habitats on land can be totally wiped out. While giving a diamond as part of a marriage proposal is a ubiquitous tradition in the U.S., it's high time we consider some other options. Lab-created diamonds are widely available and absolutely gorgeous, and sustainably-mined conflict-free diamonds are becoming more and more popular. All it takes is a commitment to finding a sustainable stone and a little research to land the perfect ring. 5. Instead of paper programs and wedding decor...celebrate with sustainable decorations. Paper products are a huge part of any wedding. If you don't want to send evites, look for wedding stationery made from recycled paper and skip the extra envelopes by using postcards for your save the dates and RSVPs. Instead of individual programs, hang a large chalkboard or other sign outlining the day's events. Choose string lights that you can rent or reuse and skip the bunting and paper poms, and instead of providing disposable paper fans at an outdoor ceremony, rent large umbrellas and cover the space or provide reusable parasols. -By Stephanie Hallett Want a chance to be featured on Loverly? Join our premier vendor network. Get more eco-friendly advice on Loverly! Farm-to-Table Wedding Ideas for the Budget-Conscious Couple 7 Wedding Decor Items You Can Totally Reuse in Everyday Life 7 Spring-Approved Table Decor Ideas
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