It’s A Nice Day For A Green Wedding: Advice for the Socially Conscious Bride
Filed under Ceremony, Expert Advice, Green Weddings, Locations, Planning, Receptions, Wedding IdeasSetting the Stage
You don’t have to be a hardcore Greenie to appreciate the allure of a wedding in the midst of rolling meadows, botanical gardens or forested hillsides. You can double your venue’s green quotient by selecting a site managed by a non-profit organization that protects the land, such as the Santa Monica Nature Conservancy’s Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve. Then there are the culturally enriching venues—historical societies, art galleries and museums—that are among the most interesting around. Wine and dine surrounded by colorful abstract paintings at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, or sip champagne while taking in the 19th century artifacts at the Los Altos History Museum, and you’re supporting community arts and education efforts.
Event locations are improving their ecological impact in other ways, too. A popular “earth first” venue is One Taste SF, which uses solar panels, non-toxic paint, and other environmentally sensitive products in their building. GreenHotels.com is an association that promotes water and energy conservation in the hospitality industry, and they even certify bed and breakfasts like Historic Sand Rock Farm. Their website lists questions to ask your prospective wedding sites to evaluate their greenness. This sort of dialogue is key to encouraging businesses to make enviro-friendly choices.
Wherever you wed, opt for a florist that uses locally grown flowers. (Imported flowers often come from pesticide-laden farms, endangering the workers and the land.) An alternative is to order from organicbouquet.com, the San Francisco-based company that sponsors eco-friendly growers in other parts of the world. (And did you know that organic flowers are longer-lasting?) When designing your arrangements, best to pick out flowers that are in season at the time of your event. For centerpieces, consider potted blooms or plants instead of cut flowers, or create an intriguing arrangement with candles, mirrors or crafts. Remember, less is more, especially in outdoor locations where the native flora and fauna provide natural adornment.
Eat, Drink and Be Healthy
It is always wise to put a vegetarian entre on your event menu, and if you want to do without meat altogether, well, your guests will hardly miss it. Acclaimed Chef Lynn Sheehan of Historic Sand Rock Farm points out that, “The culinary favorites of many ancient cultures are vegetarian dishes, so there is no need to serve faux-meat in order to satisfy your guests’ taste buds: simply choose from among the rich variety of global cuisine!”
Other factors to consider are humane animal treatment, chemical additives and fishing practices. Rising Sun Catering uses locally grown produce, free-range chicken, naturally raised beef, and sustainable seafood. With dishes like Jumbo ‘Turtle-Safe’ Prawns Dusted with Pecorino Romano and Organic Chicken Paillard with Artichoke Ragout, you can see how clever caterers prepare savory dishes with earth-friendly ingredients.
Is it possible to host a restaurant rehearsal dinner or reception that’s healthy and gourmet? At the Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga Canyon, meals are pesticide- and additive-free, and 70-90% organic. Even ethnic restaurants are greening up their menus. Russell Bass of Berkeley’s Cafe de la Paz not only enlivens the restaurant walls with artwork from indigenous South American tribes, but he’s also converting his menus to 80% organic/sustainable and 100% GMO-free foods. By patronizing such forward-thinking vendors, you are encouraging others to jump on the green bandwagon.
The best way to bring out the fresh flavors of your cuisine is to quaff fine w ine, preferably organic and pesticide-free. Wines without added sulfites are not only healthier, but reportedly cause fewer hangovers! Popular organic California vintners include Bonterra and Frey, and more are popping up all the time. Many vineyards are improving their green grades by incorporating sustainable agriculture. With a little sleuthing, you can even find organic champagne or sparkling wine.
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