Top 10 Sustainable Wedding Trends for 2010 From Recycled Bride

When it comes to weddings, most couples are reluctant to sacrifice anything short of the best for their special day. Shifts have since occurred in the wedding industry with couples becoming more interested in sustainable, practical and budget-friendly suggestions and ideas for their big day.  The world's first eco-chic wedding resale website, Recycled Bride has defined a "sustainable wedding" as an event that includes elements which encourage positive social, financial and environmental growth.

"We're seeing the emergence of so many exciting wedding trends that reflect the big cultural, political and economic shifts happening in the world today." says Tracy DiNunzio, Founder and CEO of Recycled Bride. "Couples are using their weddings as an opportunity to promote their personal and financial well-being, help the environment, and support their communities. Recycled Bride is proud to offer these insights and trend forecasts based on our unique position on the cutting edge of the sustainability movement in weddings.

Recycled Bride has put together a list of the Top 10 Sustainable Wedding Trends for 2010:

 

1. There's No Place Like Home - Local is the hot word for sustainable weddings in 2010. From venues to menus, couples are making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and cut their budgets by keeping celebrations "all in the neighborhood". Backyard weddings are helping guests cut back on travel, and caterers are responding to clients' demands for more locally produced food. Even wedding favors and decorations will be sought out from local artisans and shops.

2. Alterna-florals  - The hippest weddings are in full bloom with flower alternatives like sustainable succulents and DIY paper flowers. Conventional cut flowers are expensive, plus they're grown with pesticides and have a huge carbon footprint, so couples are seeking alternative ways to decorate. Many will eschew the floral look altogether by using soy candles, fruit, and found objects for table centerpieces and bouquets.

3. The Hourglass Bride - String beans in sheath dresses are so yesterday. Inspired by voluptuous newlyweds like Christina Hendricks of Mad Men, Salma Hayek, and Beyonce, brides are embracing their curves in wedding dresses that emphasize a well-rounded figure. Many are even flaunting -- or creating -- an hourglass silhouette with gowns that sport belted waists, peplums, and plunging necklines. This is the year that women will ditch their grueling "Buff Bride" workouts in favor of kinder, gentler activities like yoga, and celebrate their naturally feminine shapes.

4. Wedding Planning Goes Digital - From blogger brides to Facebook-ing florists, wedding planning has become an online community affair. "More and more, brides are turning to wedding forums to look for fresh wedding ideas and the latest wedding trends. Together, brides and vendors make these forums an incredible wedding planning resource to connect with others who are passionate about weddings." says Christine Dyer, Founder of BridalTweet.com. Brides increasingly connect with each other for advice, support, and even labor trades on community-based social networks like Give Get Nation and BrideShare.

5. Not-So-Mellow Yellow - The hottest color of 2010 is also the warmest. Sunshine-y yellow pairs beautifully with cobalt blue and violet for an electrifying palette that's bright and bold. Or combine pale yellows with white, ivory, and fresh green tones for a sunny and natural color theme. Many succulents bear yellow blossoms, making this cheerful color an easy choice for sustainable bouquets and centerpieces.

6. The Times Are A-Changing - Saturday night weddings aren't the only game in town. Brides and grooms are scheduling their nuptials on weeknights, Sundays, and even early mornings in 2010. It's less expensive to book  a venue or caterer on "off days", and as telecommuting becomes more popular, guests are gaining flexibility in their schedules. Weddings we'll see this year will include sunrise affairs followed by romantic brunches, and chic mid-week dinner parties.

7. Bright Bridal Shoes - Forget the white and ivory satin slippers and "dyeable" sandals of wedding days gone by. Bridal shoes in bright and bold hues like fuschia, emerald green and electric blue are hot hot hot in 2010. Colored shoes are a chic and stylish surprise under a white wedding gown, plus they're more versatile than white satin and can be worn again with a little black dress.

8. Flexible Registries  - The registry has been reinvented by sites like www.AlternativeGiftRegistry.org, and this year we'll see many brides and grooms skipping the Stepford registries in favor of more flexible options. More couples will opt for "open" online registries where they can request everything from charitable donations to eco-friendly housewares to cash for a down payment on a home.

9. Unexpected Seating - At both receptions and ceremonies, seating arrangements are being switched up. Think scattered chairs and benches for ceremonies, and long communal tables, clustered couches, and bar tables with stools for receptions. No more will the family and friends of the bride and groom be kept apart by rigid seating assignments at separate tables. This year's seating arrangements will encourage guests to mix, mingle, dine and dance.  

10. Something Old, Something New - The hottest sustainable trend for 2010 (and our personal favorite, of course!) is incorporating recycled elements like gently used wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses, pre-owned wedding decorations, and vintage bridal jewelry into weddings. Sites like RecycledBride.com connect buyers and sellers for free, so they can reduce their wedding budgets and their carbon footprints. More and more brides are joining the wedding resale revolution, discovering how easy it is to save money and be a little greener by buying and selling their gently used wedding items.

Photo: Davids Bridal from Recycled Bride

Calista Flockhart Wants A Green Wedding

Calista Flockhart and Harrison Ford are planning on having an eco-friendly wedding according to Contactmusic.

The Indiana Jones star who proposed to Calista on Valentine's Day (February 14, 2009) said, "I haven't thought about greening my wedding. My wedding was always going to be green!"

Although he was previously reluctant in tying the knot again, Harrison decided to commit to the Ally McBeal star in order to become a better parent to her son Liam.

A source close to the couple is reported as saying," Harrison wants to give Liam his name. He adores him as though he were his own flesh and blood. Harrison is the only dad Liam has ever known."

The couple had previously discussed on having a low-key ceremony with just close friends and family in attendance.

This will be the third marriage for the actor who has four children from his previous marriages.

Eco Flora offers Fair trade, organic and wildcrafted flower arrangements in the Toronto area

If you are in the GTA area and are looking for an eco-friendly florist, take a peak at Eco Flora.

Eco Flora is based offers in store as well as online services to clients in the Toronto area. They sell wildcrafted, certified organic as well as fair trade flowers grown without additional chemicals.

If you choose to have your flowers delivered, they are wrapped in reusable paper and compostable cellophane. Eco Flora also offers their florist services for weddings, parties or special events.

There are many chemicals that are used in flower production. These include many pesticides, herbicides, fungicides that are banned in Canada. There can be 10 to 100 times the pesticide residues on cut flowers than on the food that is imported from these same countries because of the fact that flowers are not eaten. Some of the chemicals used include methyl bromide to ensure no there are no insects on the flowers when they reach North America. These are examples of the dozens of the chemicals used in cut flower production outside of North America.

There are negative effects to the local environment, the flower farm workers, florists and ultimately the flower buyer. Farm workers and florists have experienced illness from exposure to toxic chemicals used on flowers.

Another great thing about this company is that they only use cool, eclectic, secondhand containers. If you are a holding a larger event and are looking for a uniform look throughout the event they will make an exception and use new containers.

I think this is a marvelous idea and hope to see more eco-friendly florists pop up in the near future!

Check out Eco Flora for more information.