Planning a wedding (particularly an offbeat or alternative wedding) is no small task. There are so many details that go into it; few realize the opportunity to incorporate meaning into these details! By taking the time to look at these details in a socially conscious light, you may also find yourself weaving stories into your details and making them even more special.
What Products to Use
“If you can’t reuse anything, then don’t use it in the first place”, says Kim. (Think balloons, streamers, paper table coverings.) Kim is buying antique bottles for flower arrangements which she’ll take home after her eco-chic and exceptionally green wedding and continue to use in the future. She’s also using her grandmother’s tablecloths from when she had a restaurant. These are details that are too often overlooked by couples, and end up without meaning – imagine how much more beautiful your wedding will be if you have stories behind each of the little pieces of your day!
Also, use products that don’t create additional waste – like your mother’s wedding dress, or an antique diamond. The stone in my engagement setting is actually from Brad’s grandmother’s engagement ring! I figured it meant I was really accepted by his family :) Kim has a bunch of tips about diamonds, too. “There are diamonds, mostly from Canada, that aren’t mined by slaves. And if you get an antique diamond, you’re just re-buying someone else’s diamond, so it’s not as bad as buying a new one. If you’re set on getting that brand-spankin’ new one that’s “just right for you,” look for jewelers who follow the Kimberley Process.”
Product-purchasing tips
- don’t use Styrofoam
- use glass, plates, silver
- give natural guest favors, like saplings or bulbs
- use recycled paper products for everything from invites to guest boxes
- on labels, look for “fair trade”, “certified organic”, the EnergyStar symbol, and obviously the recycle symbol!
The Kimberley Process
About the Kimberley Process, taken from the Kimberley Process website: “The Kimberley Process is a joint government, international diamond industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds – rough diamonds that are used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. The trade in these illicit stones has contributed to devastating conflicts in countries such as Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is an innovative, voluntary system that imposes extensive requirements on Participants to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are free from conflict diamonds. The Kimberley Process is composed of 45 Participants, including the European Community. Kimberley Process Participants account for approximately 99.8% of the global production of rough diamonds.”
Part of the Blog Action Day (Part I) series. Also check out Part II and Part IV.
by Lara
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