Our Environment by Katharine Fletcher
Because weddings are significant events, couples all too often go into debt to make “everything perfect”. Consider “greening your wedding” and reducing the environmental impact of your Big Day.
Choosing your celebrant
Our Environment by Katharine Fletcher
Because weddings are significant events, couples all too often go into debt to make “everything perfect”. Consider “greening your wedding” and reducing the environmental impact of your Big Day.
Choosing your celebrant
As of 2002 in Quebec, a family member or a friend can perform a marriage, which can be civil or religious. Therefore, “greening” can start by choosing someone special who will be sensitive and aware of your “green intentions.”
Invitations
Making your own invitations. Go “tree-free” or use recycled paper.
Use a postcard for the “RSVP” (and put a stamp on it), bypassing an envelope.
Not confident about designing your own? Hire a local artist.
Dress
Make your own or ask a friend or relative to do so. Or, see if you can borrow one
(fulfilling the “something borrowed” notion). Why stop at the bridal gown? Ask around for suitable bridesmaids’ dresses, too. Retro-inspired weddings can include everything from antique candlesticks to formal wear, and it’s fun hunting it all down.
And don’t forget there are gorgeous, inexpensive wedding and other gowns at second-hand shops.
Venue for ceremony & reception
Consider having your ceremony and reception at the same venue. You reduce emissions related to travel. Want a party afterwards? Pending where you choose, perhaps a friend or family can offer their home and garden, or farm.
In the Outaouais there are many beautiful natural
settings, including parks, for weddings, receptions and parties where travel and hence emissions (and cost) can be reduced. Ask around: If you’re outdoorsy, love canoeing, horseback riding, hiking – why not be creative and get married outdoors, avoiding lots of costs that an indoor venue demands?
Food
Go organic. Go local. Regional wineries and producers grow everything from organic vegetables to lovingly raised, grass-fed animals. Although local foods may appear more expensive, after examining environmental costs and conditions in which animals were raised, transported, and processed, local
producers can’t be beat.
Hire local caterers who have great contacts with local producers.
Flowers
If you’re planning a spring, summer or autumn wedding, ask your gardening friends if you can create bouquets from their blossoms.
Pending the size of your wedding, table centerpieces can similarly be made from friends’ gardens. Why not ask your friends to make each centerpiece?
Photography
Hire one of our many talented local photographers who use digital cameras (no chemicals). They can “go green” by sending photos to you for proofing online, too.
Honeymoon
Choose an Outaouais “staycation.” From luxury hotels to a yurt, our region boasts high-end to modest but beautiful accommodations amid nature.
Gift giving
Exclusively support local businesses: consider massage or spa treatments or artworks from local artists and artisans; much-needed household items can be purchased locally, too.
Katharine got married in Eric’s parents’ garden, and their reception was in their home.
