Though it has been said the Princess Di’s lavish and extravagant wedding to Prince Charles in 1981 launched the extremely prolific wedding industry that followed over the past few decades, the current culture of brides and grooms seem a bit more aware of their carbon footprint. While magazines and newspapers still dutifully cover every aspect of wedding planning and execution, many smaller zines and web sites are covering the eco-friendly weddings side. After all, at the end of the day it’s truly about the marriage, not the wedding, right? With that in mind, we want to look at how brides and grooms have consciously considered their impact while planning their nuptials.

{Chalkboard instead of printed programs, photo Alyse French}

Weddings begin, of course, with sending invitations in the mail. While most guests are still alerted via snail mail, many esteemed graphic designers have created e-cards, save-the-dates, and invitations that rival the most beautifully letter-pressed cards out there. Yes, you lose the physical object to hold in your hand and pin up on your refrigerator, but off the bat you cut down costs dramatically by keeping the invitations electronic, while also reducing paper waste. Recently married San Francisco couple Robin and Clarke Dempsey chose a hybrid, using Paperless Post for their save-the-date, and foregoing the multiple inserts that usually come along with the wedding invitation.

Also a DIY-er hobbyist, Robin selected fabric for her table runners and sewed them herself: “we’re currently using the table runners in my house! We’ve also have gifted a few of them, and I’m planning to re-use some of the fabric to make bags/coasters and other stuff too.” This often-overlooked aspect of interior design for the wedding became extremely resourceful and meaningful with just a few personal touches. Robin and Clarke were also able to gift the orchids they used for each table, in lieu of cut flowers, to local guests. The trees used to flank the couple during the ceremony are also now living in their apartment.

{Eco-Friendly Bridesmaid Robes by Doie Lounge, Photo: Weddings by Scott & Dana}

A few others ways keep your wedding green:

* Not having a wedding party? Skip the program; use a chalkboard at the entrance to the ceremony to identify key people/family members, readers

* If you are having a wedding party, go with eco-friendly bridesmaid gifts

* Work with what you’ve got! Use household items, furniture, and treasures for wedding décor and natural items – rocks, large thick leaves, sticks, dried flowers, or tree stumps in lieu of place cards or seating.

* Avoid paper items – use linens instead of cocktails napkins. Forget about disposable coasters, matchbooks, or paper napkins in the bathroom.

* Choose recycled gold for wedding bands, and either antique jewelry or conflict-free jewels.

Remember, less is often more. What matters is the pledge and promise being made between two people in front of family and close friends.

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Liz Mathews is a Connecticut based mother, teacher, and freelance writer who blogs on children’s books and related topics at La La La (http://lalalaliz.com/). Her work has appeared in Quality Women’s Fiction, Town and Country magazine, and Literary Mama.

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To celebrate “wedding season,” we are giving away robes all month long! If you missed our giveaway with Green Bride Guide and have yet to enter our contest with Style Me Pretty (going on until August 1st). Head on over the Emmaline Bride, for another change to win.

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{Photo: Bond and Leah Freyer of BLF Studios}

I was referred to Sara at Doie by my good friend Ashley, who got married in Ottawa a couple of years ago. She said that they were so soft and comfortable to wear, and that the quality was amazing. Well, Ash was right, and working with Sara was easy and effortless- she was so helpful with any questions about sizing or colours. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

These robes were absolutely the perfect gifts for my bridesmaids (and Mom)! I wanted to give them something unique that they could enjoy many times over, for years to come, not just for one day. All of the girls loved their bridesmaid robes! I felt so blessed that we were all together the morning of my wedding day. We had so much fun! We looked so cute and stylish while drinking our champagne, and getting our hair and makeup done in our bridesmaid robes. It’s a day I will never forget and everytime I wear my robe, it truly reminds me of one of the best days of my life!

~ Natalie S. married August 30, 2014, in Winnipeg, Canada

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Photo: Cinematic by DavidM Hair/Make-up: Mack Stylist

David and I were married at TPC Jasna Polana in Princeton, New Jersey on May 18^th, 2013. I had seven bridesmaids, and I knew that I wanted to find them comfortable and beautiful robes to wear while we were getting ready. I discovered Doie Lounge and Sara through the Style Me Pretty blog, and I couldn’t have been happier with my decision to go with the Elena robes for my bridesmaids. Our wedding colors were green, white, and gray, so the colors were perfect. I loved them so much that I ordered a white one for myself! The fabric was so soft, and the inside tie makes sure your robe stays where it belongs! Sara answered my questions quickly, and it was a pleasure to work with her.

~ Caitlin S. married 05.18.13, in Princeton, NJ

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The Doie robes were the perfect bridesmaid gift. I was such a fan of them that I bought one for myself in white. These bridesmaid robes are beyond comfortable (the bamboo jersey  is so soft) and also look very luxurious! The robes look much better in pictures than sweatpants/tank tops do!

The navy blue/pink color combo is my favorite. The robes were so nice to get ready in looked great in pictures! I would highly recommend these bridesmaid robes to any bride-to-be for herself and her Bridesmaids. I have actually received a few emails from soon-to-be brides asking where I got these bridesmaid robes. They are gifts that can actually be used for a long time and your friends/family members will always remember your special day when they wear their robes!

I wear mine all the time. I even brought it on my Honeymoon!

Thank you, Doie!

~ Lindsey B., married October 15, 2011, New Hampshire

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“Jonny & I got married on September 24, 2011, at Pippin Hill, a beautiful vineyard in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. My bridesmaids and I enjoyed my last night as a single girl with a sleepover at the Boar’s Head Inn. When everyone woke up the morning of the big day, I asked the girls to climb into one of the bigger beds, still in their PJs and bleary eyed from our celebration the night before. I brought them each a different colored gift box. I had written personalized letters to each of my maids, and after reading, they unwrapped their matching Doie Lounge robes. They couldn’t have been more excited! No one could resist putting on their robe immediately – in fact, we traveled from the Inn to the venue in just our robes! They made for a great outfit to relax in while getting our hair and makeup done – as well as enjoying some pre-ceremony bubbly! – and made it so easy for them to transition into their bridesmaid dresses – and me into my gown.”

~ Gina G. Married: 9.24.2011, Pippin Hill, Virginia

Photo by Rothwell Photography

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{Photo: Ever After Visuals}

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{Image by Lindsay Madden Photography}

Ben & I got married on the night before Thanksgiving, November 21, 2012. The weather was perfection and my bridal party were so excited to receive their beautiful Luella robes. Even better, my oldest guy friend, a bridesman, received a “scarf” of the Luella trim to match us. Although he preferred to wear it as a head scarf, I was so thrilled that Sara was able to accommodate my requests to allow my entire bridal party (bridesman included) to feel so special and match each other. I enjoyed wearing my Lilian robe as I got ready to marry my high school sweetheart and on our romantic honeymoon in Costa Rica.

Tracy S., Married 11.21.12, in New Jersey

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 Photo: Waldorf Photographic Art.

Melissa B, married 10.6.2012, in Tennesse

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Photographer: Eder Escamilla

“I got married on October 6, 2012 at the crossings in carlsbad, ca. I wanted to get my bridesmaids something special and something they could use after the wedding, and these robes were perfect! They were so soft, comfortable, and flattering on everyone!  While we were hanging out eating and getting our hair and make up done, we also got some great memorable photos. That time I got to spend with all of my closest friends really helped keep me calm before walking down the aisle. And now I have a keepsake that I can actually use from my wedding day! I highly recommend the doie lounge robes, you and your bridesmaids will love them!”

~ Kiersten R., married on 10.6.12, in Carlsbad, CA

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