| Choosing a diamond engagement ring and wedding | | | | A central wedding location that requires minimal |
| bands are incredibly personal decisions that are | | | | travel for most guests will save on carbon |
| also becoming ethical decisions. Socially aware | | | | emissions. Booking a venue that can host the |
| couples now want to ensure that their wedding | | | | wedding ceremony and reception will further |
| jewelry selections are not linked to human rights | | | | reduce carbon emissions. Art galleries, botanical |
| abuses or have not negatively impacted the | | | | gardens, eco-friendly restaurants, hotels and parks |
| environment. | | | | are all excellent choices. |
| Conflict-free Diamonds | | | | Here Comes the Bride |
| Until recent years, newly engaged couples were | | | | Something old, something new, something |
| blissfully unaware that an untold number of | | | | borrowed... something green? You betcha. Green |
| corrupt organizations in African countries were | | | | brides can choose lovely, previously-worn gowns |
| illegally mining diamonds that are directly linked to | | | | from vintage stores or gown consignment and |
| human rights abuses. | | | | rental shops. Brides can also turn to their family |
| The good news is that more than 40 nations | | | | tree for a wonderfully sentimental heirloom gown. |
| worldwide, including the United States, now | | | | A number of designers have also embraced the |
| voluntarily participate in the Kimberly Process, a | | | | eco-friendly trend and offer extravagant gowns |
| system that imposes stringent requirements on | | | | made of hemp silk. |
| imports to certify that diamonds are free from | | | | Wedding Favors as Decorations |
| conflict. 99.8% of the global production of rough | | | | Organic, locally grown flowers for bouquets and |
| diamonds is now accounted for through the | | | | centerpieces offer a fresh, seasonal touch. Flower |
| Kimberly Process. | | | | arrangements used at the wedding can perform |
| Reputable engagement and wedding jewelry | | | | double duty by being moved to the reception. |
| retailers readily confirm the origin of any stone. | | | | Potted plants also make lovely arrangements and |
| Online retailers are particularly sensitive to | | | | can be transplanted outdoors after the wedding |
| consumer concerns regarding the genesis of their | | | | or can serve as gifts that guests can take home. |
| diamonds. Leading online retailers, such as | | | | The Gift that Keeps Giving |
| Danforth Diamond, My Solitaire, and Brilliant Earth | | | | Portovert Magazine, the nation's first and only |
| actively educate consumers by providing helpful | | | | online publication devoted exclusively to |
| information on their websites to ensure that | | | | environmentally and socially responsible weddings, |
| accurate information is easily accessible. | | | | and NativeEnergy offer a carbon emissions |
| Green Gold? | | | | calculator that can be used to evaluate |
| For those who truly want guilt-free glitter, there | | | | wedding-related carbon sources, including travel, |
| are a number of retailers who offer recycled gold | | | | guest lodging and power used at the wedding |
| for wedding bands and the like. Concerned about | | | | venues, which can help in the planning of a |
| a lackluster green ring? Worry not. Recycled gold, | | | | carbon-neutral wedding. You can find it here: |
| which is melted and re-refined, is the same quality | | | | Couples can also offset the carbon emissions |
| as newly-mined gold. | | | | produced as a result of their nuptials by making |
| NoDirtyGold.org publishes an ever-growing and | | | | contributions to an eco organization of their choice |
| impressive list of retailers who support the | | | | or requesting that guests do the same in lieu of a |
| responsible production of gold. | | | | wedding gift. |
| Vintage jewelry is also enjoying a resurgence in | | | | Paying it Forward |
| popularity as brides and grooms opt to purchase | | | | Eco-friendly tours, green hotel resorts, simple |
| estate jewelry or wear wedding rings that have | | | | outdoor adventures, volunteer work for a |
| been passed down from a family member. | | | | preservation project -- green honeymoons run |
| Eco-friendly weddings aren't just for the granola | | | | the gamut and cater to a variety of preferences |
| crunching crowd nowadays -- and conflict-free | | | | and budgets. From relaxing and luxuriant to active |
| diamond engagement rings and recycled gold | | | | and outdoorsy, newlyweds can take their dream |
| wedding jewelry are just the beginning. As green | | | | green vacation that celebrates the beginning of |
| weddings become more mainstream, the options | | | | their new life together and the future of our |
| and price ranges are increasingly abundant. | | | | planet. |
| Earth-friendly Invitations | | | | And to think that it all began with a diamond |
| Wedding invitations printed with soy- or | | | | engagement ring. Green weddings provide couples |
| vegetable-based inks on recycled paper are a | | | | the opportunity to make a lifelong commitment to |
| mainstay for green couples. If that's not green | | | | each other and to their world. Every wedding |
| enough for you, perhaps paperless invitations are | | | | anniversary, from the "small" ones to the |
| the way to go; simply extend electronic invitations | | | | milestones years is an opportunity to renew that |
| for guests who can be contacted via email. | | | | commitment for now and for years to come. |
| Emailed RSVPs offer an added bonus: guests are | | | | Perhaps a future generation will honor that same |
| more likely to respond promptly, allowing you to | | | | commitment by choosing to wear your "heirloom" |
| accurately plan your headcount. | | | | wedding jewelry. |
| Location, Location, Location | | | | |