Having a Green wedding part four - Flowers

Cut flower garden

When planning your eco-friendly wedding, considering the floral elements may seem like a daunting task, but really, it is not. There are several ways you can attain environmentally friendly and amazingly beautiful wedding flowers.

First, you can grow your own flowers in a perennial cut flower garden. Most cut flower varieties are very hardy, you just have to know what is in season when. The benefit of growing your own is the cost, and you have total control over what going to be in your floral arrangements. If you need some help figuring out what is in season and when it needs to be planted, there are multiple Master Gardener programs, and if you ask, I'm sure a local Master Gardener would be happy to help you figure out what to plant for your special day!

If you decide to have a florist produce your wedding flowers, you need to make certain that the flowers and florist are VeriFlora certified. This means that the flowers are sustainably grown, that the labor used to grow the flowers is Fair Trade, and that your wedding flowers are an environmentally conscious part of your wedding.

For your centerpieces, consider having "breakaway" herbs or potted plants that your guests may take home as favors. This will reduce your cost, and allow your guests to have a living memory of your special day! Check out Ecospheres for adorable enclosed eco-systems, and Greenfeet.com for other great ideas (and they also have a registry!). Look for recycled metal and glass and even plastic containers to hold your beautiful centerpieces. Try baskets full of apples or pears for unique centerpieces/favors and then donate the leftovers to local homeless or women's shelters.