Wedding Twist

Committing to Love and the Earth: a Guide to Green Weddings

Over the next twelve months, roughly 2.4 million Americans will spend 70 billion dollars (US) getting married. Green and socially responsible weddings can have a huge impact for the better on local economies and ecologies. Here are ten ways to express your commitment to the interconnectedness of life on earth during your Wedding Day.

1. Eco Engagement Rings and Eco Wedding Rings

It can take up to twenty tons of rock to produce a single Wedding Ring, yet there is more than enough gold available now for the entire jewelry industry. Some jewelers offer rings that are made from recycled gold. The ethical jeweler who has committed to using recycled gold will more than likely have a selection of conflict free diamonds or other gemstones that are responsibly sourced. Start your search locally, but realize that ethical wedding rings have not reached the mainstream yet and may be difficult to find.

Here are several online ethical jewelers, arranged by price range, for your consideration:

low-mid price range
high price range

Here is a guide to buying Green Wedding rings.
http://www.articles-collections.com/culture-and-society/consumer/ten-tips-to-purchasing-green-ethically-sourced-wedding-rings-online.html

2. Greening Your Guests

Consider reducing the numbers of people who have to travel for your wedding. This is NOT easy, but then again neither is a commitment to the earth, much less to your spouse-to-be. If you decide to have a larger wedding with many guests coming in from out of town, consider donating some money to an organization that offsets the carbon imprint of the travel.

Here is a wedding carbon dioxide offset calculator:
http://www.terrapass.com/wedding/index.html

Here are some US companies that offset carbon emissions:

TerraPass
http://www.terrapass.com/

Native Energy
http://www.nativeenergy.com/

MyClimate
http://www.myclimate.org/index.php?lang=en

3. Greening Your Invitations

Another reason that reducing your number of guests is significant is that you will also reduce the amount of paper required for printing. There are often save the date announcements, actual invitations, wedding handouts for each guest and then all the thank you letters. Be sure you're using recycled paper or - if you can - use email as much as possible.

Here are some great sources for recycled paper:

Twisted Limb Paper - 100% Recycled Invitations
http://www.twistedlimbpaper.com/

Invite Site - Eco Invites
http://www.invitesite.com/

Green Field Paper - non-tree paper, 100% recycled paper
http://www.greenfieldpaper.com/

4. Your Green Venue

The marriage should take place somewhere that is beautiful, inspirational and resonant with your green values. Look locally for meeting houses, farms, retreat centers, community gardens, parks or a building that supports a cause you believe in. Further, make the location central to the majority of your guests. If possible, consider having two ceremonies if you have large groups of guests at opposite ends of the country.

If you choose an indoor location, talk with the building managers about the energy efficiency of their facilities. If they are working to meet LEED standards for high-efficency buildings then you're in good shape. Ideally the place will have outdoor and indoor space, allowing for different weather contingencies. Try to choose your venue as far in advance as possible; the best places book up quickly.

Wilderness Weddings (location suggestions from the Sierra Club)
http://www.sierraclub.org/e-files/weddings.asp

Learn more about LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
http://www.usgbc.org/

5. Your Food and Drink

A wedding is - for the majority of the attendants - a great big party. Buy organic food that is, if possible, locally grown. There are now excellent organic, and often locally produced, wines and beers. Food can be one of the most expensive parts of a wedding, but this is part of your gifting to the community that witnesses your vows. If you can't afford an entirely organic menu, then consider going with organic meat, or choose a vegetarian option. Another idea is to ask friends to help prepare the feast.

Local Harvest: Find Organic Food Near You
http://www.localharvest.org/

Green Restaurant Association: search for green restaurants for catering
http://www.dinegreen.com/restaurant_guide.asp?page=search

6. Green Wedding Clothing

To purchase dress that will only be worn on one occasion for the wedding ceremony does not make a lot of sense. Purchase clothing that you will enjoy wearing on special occasions after the wedding. Organic fabrics are still limited, but you can choose to purchase clothing that is not made in a sweat shop. You can also rent your outfit or buy something that was worn by someone else once or twice.

Get Conscious: Hemp Wedding Gowns
http://www.getconscious.com/

Faernyn's Grove: Green Bridal
http://mycorset.com/bridal.htm

Rawganique: Hemp, Organic Cotton Clothing
http://www.rawganique.com/organic-hemp-wedding-clothes.htm

7. Gifting And Being Gifted

The experience of gifting and being gifted is an integral part of any wedding ceremony. You can decide to make your party favors environmentally responsible products. Look for locally made regional products that visitors from out of town might appreciate. People want to gift the bride and groom. Everyone wants their gift to be appreciated. So it is best to open a Green Gift Registry. Those who feel as if they have everything they need may want to ask that, instead of gifts, money be donated to a particular environmental organization.

I Do Foundation: Charity Registry
http://www.idofoundation.org/

Vivaterra
http://www.vivaterra.com/

Branch: Sustainable Design
http://branchhome.com/

GAIAM
http://www.gaiam.com/

Send Us Off: request donations towards your green honeymoon
http://www.sendusoff.com/ecofriendly.htm

8. Dishes, Recycling and Redistributing

It is more environmentally sound to rent your dishes and glasses instead of simply using disposable paper products. Ask your caterer to use earth friendly soaps when cleaning up. Also, make sure that you have bins for recycling all aluminum and glass products. Look in advance for a food depot or soup kitchen that can take the left over food and distribute it.

Nat-Ur Store: Biodegradable Cups, Cutlery, Garbage Bags
http://w5inter2.hivelocity.net/biocorp/cart/showall.asp

Recycline: Green Table Ware
http://www.recycline.com

Second Harvest: Donate Perishable/Preparred Food
http://www.secondharvest.org/how_to_help/donate_food/perishable_food.html

9. Support Your Local Economy

Purchase locally from small businesses whenever possible. Buy local and organic flowers, which reduces transportation and pesticide impact on the environment. Or consider growing your own! Hire a local band or DJ who does not have to travel far to your venue.

10. Your Green Vows

This is the most important part of your wedding ceremony and it needs to be deeply considered. Spend some months and meditate on what is in your heart and what you can commit to. Write it out. Talk to friends who have been married a while. Include life affirming commitment to living in balance with the ecology. I was married by an Apache Medicine Woman, and she had us publicly state what my wife and I brought to the marriage-our good qualities and our flaws. For my wife and I, this exercise in front of our friends and family was a powerful expression of our humanity. Your vows are also your opportunity to spread the idea of eco-friendly values to your guests.

11. A Green Honeymoon

You will want to go to a place in nature that can restore and inspire you. Many people are familiar with ecotourism, yet know nothing about geotourism. The Geotourists has opportunities to improve the places that they visit and have meaningful experiences of local culture.

Here are some links to sites that offer green honeymoon opportunities:

National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations
www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable

The International Ecotourism Society
www.ecotourism.org

Responsible Travel
www.responsibletravel.com

Travel By Train
http://www.seat61.com/

Green Hotels:

GreenSeal Approved Green Lodging
http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm#lodging

Green Hotels Members
http://www.greenhotels.com/members.htm

More Green Wedding Resources:

Eco-Friendly Wedding Planning Magazine
http://www.portovert.com/

Ethical Weddings: Forums, Blog
http://www.ethicalweddings.com/

Green Wedding Planner
http://www.greeneleganceweddings.com/index.html

Co-op America: Green Businesses
http://www.coopamerica.org/

Green Confetti
http://www.ecoparti.com/toec.html

Organic Flowers Online
http://www.organicbouquet.com/

In CA: California Organic Flowers
http://www.californiaorganicflowers.com/

Conscious Living Tips
http://www.newdream.org/

Other Green Wedding Guides:

A Green Wedding
http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/96/wedding

How To Green Your Wedding
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/how-to-green-your-wedding.php

10 Steps to a Green Wedding
http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/2007/03/10_steps_to_a_g.html

Guide to a Growing Trend: The "Green" or Ecological Wedding
http://www.americanbridal.com/gutogrtrgore.html

Wedding Industry Stats (2002)
http://www.theknot.com/au_industrystats.shtml

About the Author

Marc Choyt is President of Reflective Images, an award winning jewelry company, www.celticjewelry.com that sells wedding rings sourced by artisan designers online at www.artisanweddingrings.com. His company produces fair, eco-sourced, fairly trade jewelry. Marc also authors www.fairjewelry.org supporting green, fair trade, socially responsible jewelry practices.

Tie The Knot Wedding Chocolate & Caramel Pretzel Twists $1.75 These gourmet pretzels are a ""twist"" on an old-time favorite. Our crisp, Bavarian pretzels are expertly hand-dipped in your choice of Belgian chocolate (Dark, Milk or White) or caramel, and adorned with edible, hand-crafted Royal Icing wedding decorations and non-pariel sprinkles. Features and facts:Each pretzel twist is individually wrapped in a cellophane bag and heat-sealed at both ends for freshness.Bavarian pretzels are hand-dipped in your choice of Belgian Chocolate (Dark, Milk or White) or Caramel and adorned with edible, hand-crafted Royal Icing wedding decorations and non-pariel sprinklesIndividually wrapped in clear cellophaneChoose assorted chocolates, chocolates and caramels, dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate

Wedding Love Bubble Wands (Set of 24) $14.98 Popular because they are friendly to the environment and totally fun, wedding bubbles always add to a celebration. This sleek wand packaging with the customary heart on top, gives a new twist to an old favorite. Can be easily decorated with ribbon or tags to create a distinctive look that will suit your occasion. Features and facts:Clear plastic tube of wedding bubbles features a heart handleSize: 4 1/2"" tallSold in quantities of 24

Autumn Elegance Wedding Favor Cake (Assorted Tiers) $58 Fall in love with our “Autumn Wedding� favor cake! Evoke the magic of crisp autumn air and autumns rich brown and peach tones with our unique cake. Our original white and brown Favor Boxes along with the use of complimenting peach colors offers a very modern twist to the traditional fall decorations. It’s easy to overlook what’s inside, unless of course, you load them with equally eye-catching treats. Features and facts:Elegant brown and peach wedding favor box cake with white polka dot boxes, peach mini bows, brown and peach ribbons, and a silk flower topper Arrives unassembled with easy instructions Available in a variety of sizes from 2-7 tiers: 2 Tier (43 boxes), 3 Tier (64 boxes), 4 Tier (94 boxes), 5 Tier (128 boxes), 6 Tier (166 boxes) and 7 Tier (210 boxes) Click here to view tier options

14k White Gold Fine Twist Hand Carved Wedding Band $352 A stylish twist perfectly wraps this wedding band of white gold. You are the loveliest bride with this 14k White Gold Fine Twist Hand Carved Wedding Band.

Twist! $3.99 Twist!

With a Twist... $20.99 With a Twist...

Twist $5.99 Twist

The Twist $5.99 The Twist

14k Two Tone Gold Fine Twist Hand Carved Wedding Band $352 A stylish twist of yellow and rose gold perfectly wraps this wedding band of yellow gold. You are the loveliest bride with this 14k Two Tone Gold Fine Twist Hand Carved Wedding Band.

14k Two Tone Gold Stylish Twist Braided Wedding Band $1006 A braided pattern is set on this stylish band of white gold. Your love is great with this 14k Two Tone Gold Stylish Twist Braided Wedding Band.

9ct Gold Diamond Set Twist Wedding Ring $89.99 Available in sizes H to V. Width of ring 3mm. Diamond set wedding ring. General information: Gift boxed.

Twist (DVD) $22.2 Claude Chabrol`s romantic farce THE TWIST reunites two of the director`s favorite collaborators, St?phane Audran (Chabrol`s onetime wife) and Jean-Pierre Cassel, in a plot that self-referentially mocks many of Chabrol`s own films. Audran plays Claire, a slightly off-kilter and adulterous woman living in Paris who is married to William (American actor Bruce Dern), a brilliant writer. When Claire begins to suspect that her illicit affair with her husband`s smarmy publisher, Jacques (Cassel), is not exactly exclusive, she goes off the deep end. Wild fantasies, zany sight gags, and erotic repartee pepper the film as Claire, William, and Jacques act out an insane love triangle destined for disaster. Ann-Margret makes a sultry appearance as William`s Italian translator and the subject of Claire`s jealous delusions and enraged reveries. Recalling many of Chabrol`s most famous and dramatic films, including WEDDING IN BLOOD, INNOCENTS WITH DIRTY HANDS, and LA RUPTURE, THE TWIST turns the director`s calculated Hitchcockian suspense and erotic fatalism on its head as each character becomes more and more exaggerated and the situations more extreme.

Desert Camouflage Ring Pillow $35.99 Stylish and current, this collection puts a feminine twist on a camouflage theme. There will be no hiding this unique desert camouflage ring pillow, with the embroidery detail in blush pink and gold and the gold and crystal double D closer holding the bush sand color ribbon. Features and facts:Camouflage ring pillow with blush pink and gold embroidery, blush sand satin ribbon and double-D closure with crystal accentsMeasures 8"" squareCoordinates beautifully with the Desert Camouflage guest book and pen set and bridal garter set

Desert Camouflage Bridal Garter Set $19.98 Stylish and current, this collection puts a feminine twist on a camouflage theme. You definitely won't want to hide this beautiful mock belt garter with gold and crystal double D closure. Features and facts:Set of two garters with camouflage buckle includes throw-away and keepsake garter with sheer ruffleCoordinates beautifully with the Desert Camouflage ring pillow and guest book and pen set

Wild Wild West Western Boot Glass $11.98 These glasses can be used for drinking but they also make great vases. Add flowers, coffee beans, candles or a cactus for a unique twist. Western flair with a touch of sophistication! The glasses are made in the shape of a western boot with a handle. Facts and features: Two sizes available 16 oz. Stein measures 6 ½"" tall and 1 ½ oz. Shot Glass measures 3 1/8"" tall Glass boots with handle sold individually

Truly Gifted Mini Gift Bag Favor Box Kit (Set of 50) $19.99 This classic gift bag is given a graceful twist. The gift bag is made of glossy and sturdy paper embossed with a faint diamond pattern. Charming in white, each kit includes everything to make 50 favor bags.Features and facts:White favor box shaped like a gift bagKit includes 50 favor boxes, 50 white satin ribbons, 50 white satin mini bows, glue stick and instructions for easy assemblyBox measures 2 3/4"" x 2"" x 4 1/4""

Desert Camouflage Guest Book $39.99 Stylish and current, this collection puts a feminine twist on a camouflage theme. The blush pink and gold embroidery on the desert camouflage along with the reflective blush sand color ribbon will stand out nicely next to the matching Pen set. Features and facts:Camouflage print guest book and pen set with satin ribbon accent and military-style D closure is embroidered with pink flowers in the lower right cornerGuest book accommodates 430 names and measures 9 1/2"" x 6 1/2""Coordinates beautifully with the Desert Camouflage ring pillow and bridal garter set

Square Elegant Platter & Easel $58 Decorate your home with love with our Square Elegant Platter & Easel. The three dimensional design of the square platter gives a modern twist to traditional shape, and the vintage easel easily displays it for all to see. The one of a kind personalization and clean lines are sure to make this item a perfect fit for any couple. Set includes a white porcelain platter and easel. Platter measures 11"" by 11"" by 1/2 inch deep. Decorative easel measures 11 1/2"" by 4 3/8"" by 8 1/2 inches tall. The Square Elegant Platter & Easel may be engraved with two 12 character script first names and a block numeric date following the text ""Established"" at No Additional Cost. Please allow up to 3-5 business days for personalized items to ship.

Belgian Chocolate Monogrammed Pops $1.99 Each delicious picture pop is hand made from luscious Belgian white chocolate. Your full-color monogram (traditional 1, 2 or 3-letter monogram) is applied using our exclusive process. Each Pop is packaged in its own crystal-clear cellophane bag and finished with a metallic twist tie. Or, add a lush Satin Bow for extra impact! Features and facts:Personalized chocolate lollipop made of Belgian white chocolate is imprinted with your 1, 2 or 3-leter monogram in full colorIndividually wrapped with clear cellophaneCan include a satin bow in your choice of colorWe custom design your monogram and send you a proof within 1-2 days of your orderMaximum imprint area is 1.25"" diam.Picture Pops measure 1 1/2"" in diameter and weight approximately 1 oz.Minimum order 24

Sip & Shop Purse Bottle Opener $3.9 Purse power for the bridal shower! Perfect for ladies who love fashion and fun at their fingertips, our ""Sip & Shop"" bottle opener prepares you for one of life's small surprises--a non-twist-off bottle cap. Just pull out your purse and quench your thirst! Features and facts:Handy hot-pink, purse-shaped, chrome bottle opener with silver-finish trimBottle opener measures approximately 2 1/4"" h x 2"" wGift presentation includes hot pink-and-orange damask motif gift box with clear showcase window and white-satin bow at the topGift box measures 3 1/2"" h x 2 3/4"" w x 1/2"" d

Sweet Celebrations Ice Cream Cone Timer $1.75 It's party time, and Kate Aspen invites you all to celebrate with everyone's favorite party fare—ice cream! It's really a kitchen timer with a twist, and guests will be tickled pink to take home this tantalizing treat every time! Features and facts: High-quality-plastic ice cream cone twists between the vanilla ice cream and the wafer cone to set the timer using the black numbers and intervals between one and sixty imprinted around the coneIce cream timer measures approximately 4 ½� h x 2 ½� in diameterImaginative, clear gift box displays timer in a retro ice cream parlor, with a pink and white-striped, free-hanging awning and background, a black and white-checkerboard base, and the words Time for Sweet Celebrations Ice Cream Timer on the front of the baseGift presentation is completed with a sheer white, organza ribbon and bow and a round, color-coordinated “For You� tagGift box measures approximately 5� h x 2 ¾� w x 2 ¾�

9ct White Gold Diamond Set Twist Wedding Ring - 3mm $89.99 Diamond set wedding ring. Available in sizes H to V. Width of ring 3mm. Gift boxed.

9ct Gold Diamond Cut and Satin Twist Wedding Ring $32.99 Available in sizes F to Z. Width of ring 3mm. Diamond cut wedding ring. General information: Gift boxed.

Twist Stem Placecard Holder Each $2.49 This Twist Stem Placecard Holder has a silver base with a coiled stem and clip to hold a placecard or photo. Each Silver Metal Placecard Holder measures 4 inches high with a base measuring 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Our Twist Stem Placecard Holder makes a great favor at wedding receptions and special event parties to hold the name of the person to be seated in a particular table. The Silver Placecard Holder may be used to hold a favorite photograph too.

Twist & Shout: Zappa - Subtitle $24.99 Includes:Zappa (1983) Twist and Shout (1984), MPAA Rating: NR Zappa Based on the first book in a trilogy by Danish novelist Bjarne Reuter, Zappa proved an early international breakthrough for its director, Bille August. The story of three teenagers in 1960s Copenhagen is really no big literary accomplishment -- the boys become delinquents because of their parents' inattentiveness in particular and a decadent society in general -- but August elicited wonderful performances from his young, inexperienced cast, especially Adam T?nsberg, as the lower-middle-class boy with upward mobile pretensions, and Peter Reichhardt as the thoroughly vicious Steen, whose carnivorous pet fish gives the film its name. The son of Danish matinee-idol Poul Reichhardt, Peter Reichhardt offered a truly frightening portrayal of contained malice. Director August filmed the second novel in Reuter's youth trilogy, Tro, H?b og K?rlighed, the following year. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi Twist and Shout This Danish film is set in 1963, at the height of Beatlemania. Played out against the standard pop-culture backdrop is the story of the friendship between Adam Tonsberg and Lars Simonson. His ego in tatters thanks to a domineering father, Simonsen yearns for the affections of snooty Ulrikke Juul Bondo, though it is "common knowledge" that she's Tonsberg's girl. Tonsberg, however, prefers the company of the down-to-earth Camilla Soeberg. When Soeberg becomes pregnant, Tonsberg is forced to borrow the abortion money from former girlfriend Bondo, who wants him to spend a weekend with her in exchange. This is all going according to Bondo's plan, and soon she and Tonsberg are making wedding plans. Suddenly gaining a moral backbone, Tonsberg calls off the wedding, then helps his friend Simonsen, who is endeavoring to prove that his mother is not the lunatic described by his tyrannical father. The "coming of age" process in this film is even more complex than these notes would suggest, but young Danish filmgoers had no trouble relating to Twist and Shout (originally Tro, Hab Og Karlighed), which allegedly made more money than any previous Danish film. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Celestial Billows Wedding Invitations $2.15 A modern twist on the traditional monogram. These wedding invitations strike a celestial mood with pillowy clouds.

Simple Affair Wedding Invitations $2.15 Wedding invitations for a simple but stunning affair. A beautiful box bears your initials, putting a modern twist on the traditional monogram.

Mod Love Wedding Invitations $2.15 Entirely modern with a collegiate prepster twist. Striped wedding invitations are fool-proof. And so fresh looking.

Two Cranes Wedding Invitations $2.15 Clean, modern and simple with a Japanese twist. Paper cranes take the place of traditional love birds on these origami-inspired wedding invitations.

Categories: Uncategorized

RSS 2.0 | Respond | Trackback < |