You’ve no doubt gotten those gorgeous (and hefty) wedding invitations, loaded with many classy bits of paper, sheets of tissue, extra envelopes. Yes, they seem elegant – but from an environmental standpoint, it equals a whole lot of waste. If you – like many current couples – are looking to reduce your wedding footprint on the environment, consider our helpful tips for creating “green” wedding invitations.
As long as we’re speaking of “eco-friendly,” Birkat-Elyon’s elegant cubic zirconia pieces are another way to dazzle without taking on the “social baggage” of diamonds. These days, many diamonds and other gemstones are mined in ethically-questionable circumstances. For those who want to walk a more socially-friendly path, CZs, like the pieces offered by Birkat Elyon, are the perfect way to wear a gorgeous piece of jewelry without the associated guilt. And in that vein, here are some clever options for creating eco-friendly wedding invitations.
RECYCLED PAPER
Here’s a fun fact: each ton of recycled paper saves the equivalent of 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water and the equivalent of 380 gallons of oil. Enough reason to “go green” and opt for recycled paper for your wedding invitations.
USE THE INTERNET
Many couples are opting for technology for some (or part) of their wedding invitations. You can use email to get basic info such as “will attend” or “not.” Send a single printed card with relevant website details. That includes web addresses for things like a bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, etc. The Earth will thank you.
CALLIGRAPHY
Believe it or not, calligraphy isn’t just elegant – it’s an environmentally-friendly way to do your wedding invitations. Having someone do calligraphy on things like envelopes, menus, and invitations will add a lovely touch to your wedding items. And keep your conscience clear.
CHOOSE SOMETHING OTHER THAN PAPER
Instead of traditional paper place cards, stamp names on a stone. Or opt for waiters (with a single print out of table listings) to direct your guests to their table. You could also tie color-coded ribbons to a flower stem to give your guests a unique way to navigate their way to their table.
MINIMIZE “EXTRAS”
Those elegant sheets of vellum? Extra programs? Think in terms of who’s actually coming to the ceremony. One program per couple will save lots of paper, ink and more. Same goes for menus. Think of creative ways to consolidate the information that you need.
ASK THE PRINTER
Many printers use traditional printing techniques. Yet more are now also offering plant-based inks, like soy. Ask if they can use these eco-friendly assets to do custom projects, like your wedding program.
There are a host of ways to celebrate your wedding without using extra paper, printing and other elements that negatively impact the environment. Do a little homework and you’ll find other unique ways to bring your special day to life (and keep Mother Nature smiling).