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THE EXAMINER/THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009
GREENER ways to say ‘I do’
BY MEAGAN ALBRECHTSON ence to the, dare we say, greenest. carbon offset programs online (For example, silk for under $400.
Special to Sun Media More brides are starting to choose silk planting an equivalent number of trees to Choosing sustainable fabrics is smart, but
Weddings, one of the most important
wedding gowns, for example, because it’s a balance the environmental impact your a more eco-friendly option would be to wear
events of a couple’s life, are being re-vamped
natural, as opposed to man-made, fibre, says flight produces). a vintage dress, or rent one.
with many eco-friendly options.
Sharon Genge, of Peterborough’s Blushing Vasil also suggests holding the ceremony That way you can still look gorgeous with-
But going green on your big day doesn’t
Brides. The natural fibre breathes and feels and reception in the same place so guests out buying something that will most likely
mean you have to sacrifice your wishes and
more comfortable too, she says. “A silk gown don’t have to get in their cars. If your fiancé’s sit in your closet forever.
visions.
is not for everybody, it’s a certain kind of family live across the country (or even in a For bridesmaids, opt to break the match-
Small adjustments can be made which will
bride who chooses it,” Genge says. “Someone different continent), consider having two ing tradition, and instead have them wear
not only do some good on the planet but also
who wants to be eco-friendly and someone weddings, which will save huge on mileage. their own dresses.
make a positive influence on your friends
who wants something unique.” When it comes to feeding hungry guests, a Since many young couples already dwell
and family.
Blushing Brides offers two styles of silk great way to green your menu is to source together long before getting hitched, wed-
Not entirely convinced to go green on the
gowns, she adds. the locally, and use organic ingredients ding gifts that once seemed practical are
day you’ve dreamt about since you were
Your guest list can also have an environ- wherever possible. now unfortunately put to no good use.
young? Consider the fact that most average
mental impact. For everything from fruit to flowers to Asking guests to instead donate money to
Canadians spend anywhere from $20,000 to
While including everyone from your wine, the less it’s traveled means less dam- a charity of your choice means that every-
$30,000 on their wedding.
favourite high-school English teacher to age to the earth. There are other small and one’s thrilled in the end, and the planet ends
“If [that money] is funnelled into sustain-
your best friend, it’s important to consider inexpensive ways to make a difference. up with less waste too.
able caterers, venues, flowers or whatnot,
the environmental effects. Vasil suggests refusing to serve endan- And when the shindig’s all over and it’s
that can have a huge impact on fuelling a
“The carbon footprint of guests flying and gered fish such as sea bass, or donating the time for the honeymoon, it’s a wise idea to
greener economy,” says Adria Vasil, NOW
driving to your wedding is huge. Carbon leftover food to a homeless shelter. choose somewhere close to home.
magazine columnist and author of Ecoholic,
footprint calculators like Terrapass get you For the environmentally conscious bride, But if a nearby Bed and Breakfast doesn’t
a bestselling guide to environmentally-
to tally the amount of miles your guests are some designers are making gowns out of sus- sound dream-like to you, Vasil says to “make
friendly information, products and services
flying and driving to get to your big day,” tainable fabrics such as bamboo, and organic sure you stay in an ecologically conscious
in Canada.
says Vasil. cotton and silk. hotel that isn’t pumping sewage straight
Fortunately, you can still tie the knot just
Of course many guests will have no choice One British Columbia company, Raw- into the ocean and washing your sheets
the way you want, while enjoying the experi-
but to fly, but several companies, such as ganique (www.rawganique.com), offers a every single day.”
Zerofootprint (www. zerofootprint.net), offer wedding gown made of hemp and wild raw
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“Unique Park Like Setting for Meetings, Wedding Receptions,
Parties, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Showers”
4 ROOMS AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS UP TO 120
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(705) 740-2288
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