Weddingbee Blog

Although I’ve been reading wedding blogs since before we even got engaged, I haven’t picked up a single wedding magazine. Part of it is because I figured I could get everything I needed online. And part of it is because I already get too many magazines and I just find them so wasteful. I’ve already let most of my subscriptions lapse, and after the rest of them do, I won’t be renewing.

But a while back, at the salon, while waiting for my stylist to finish up on someone else, I picked up an issue of Brides Philadelphia that was on the table in the waiting area. Brides Philadelphia is published by the publishers of Brides and Modern Bride magazines, and I assume that most of the content is the same as it is in other cities, with only the local content being swapped out.

Anyway, I wasn’t too impressed with anything I read. It was mostly just advertisements. But then I came across this little blurb in an article about wedding trends that were “out.”

Eco-Everything

The marketing hype over green wedding products has left us rolling our eyes—and, more importantly, no closer to taking better care of the planet.

OK. Now. Admittedly, I don’t know any statistics to confirm or deny what they said, but in my opinion, even if one couple has one wedding where they try to be as environmentally friendly as possible, that’s something. If a couple plans their wedding with the environment in mind and uses recycled products, patronizes local vendors, and reduces waste, it’s better than throwing a big, wasteful wedding. Simple as that.

Look, I work in marketing. I know that the whole point of marketing is to sell products, or services, or a message, or an ideology. I know that sometimes it’s hard to believe that anyone who is marketing anything isn’t just in it for the money. But at least they’re marketing something important and positive. And maybe the eco “hype” isn’t making a giant impact on the environment, but it’s at least getting the message out that it’s important.

At any rate, “rolling your eyes” at green-wedding marketing is just making me roll my eyes right back atcha, Brides Philadelphia.

And while our wedding might not be the greenest on the planet, we’re taking strides to ensure that it’s not as wasteful as it could be:

1. We’re going to include as few pieces of paper in our invitation suite as possible.
2. We’re not going to have programs at all. We might list some information on a chalkboard instead.
3. Our menus will be on a chalkboard also.
4. We’re using all local vendors, and our vendors are using local products (food, flowers).

Are you taking any measures to ensure that your wedding is as eco-friendly as possible?