Going Green: An eco-journey with Sarah and Sam

In the winter of 2007, Sarah and Sam stopped by to visit a friend and local stationer to order Sam's new Austin Weddings Unlimited business cards (on cotton paper, a renewable resource, of course!) During the appointment, Sam blurted out, "Wouldn't it be cool if we set up a wedding site that emphasized the "going green" concept for couples considering more eco-friendly weddings?" Our stationer friend bit into Sam's line like a trout to the perfect lure. Since that day, we have met twice with our friend, Nancy, from Alegra's (www.alegras.com), to consider ways to assist couples with "green wedding" options.

We learned rather quickly that many couples and wedding vendors are also interested in "going green." After all, we live in Austin, Texas, and pride ourselves on being nation-wide front-runners in the area of environmental sensitivity. For example, Sam co-sponsored a conference where our mayor, Will Wynn, spoke about Austin's hope to, one day soon, be "off the grid" -- depending entirely on alternative energy sources for our citizens' electric demands. It is not at all surprising to find the wedding community here asking how it could be a part of a "going green" movement.

Sarah's first question to Sam, as they began jotting down ideas (on their recycled paper pads, of course): "Sam, what does it mean to have a green wedding? Surely you don't mean the bridesmaids are attired in green dresses." Indeed, the phrase "going green" means many things to many people. And many of the terms that Sam threw around, Sarah didn't understand. As a result, the Glossary O' Terms was born, and A Few Starting Tips was created. It's not our complete vision, but we found that starting somewhere was better than never starting at all.

"Hey Sam," Sarah asked, "What is our vision?"

We hope to have a place on our website that spotlights vendors with a shared passion for "going green," as well as a collection of ever-evolving tips for keeping weddings as "green" as possible. To that end, we want to hear from you. Are you planning a "green wedding?" Do you have a business that is particularly interested in reducing its carbon footprint? Think you have an idea to share with us? Email us

In the meantime . . .

GLOSSARY O' TERMS: Sam gets Sarah up-to-speed

Carbon footprint: Refers to the impact of human activity on the environment. Typically, your carbon footprint is measured in units of carbon dioxide. Stated another way, it is the amount of greenhouse gas produced by a specific activity.

Carbon off-set credits: Credits earned fora ctivities that off-set carbon emission and greenhouse gases. Credits decrease your carbon footprint, and can be as simple as planting a tree, or more elaborate such as purchasing credits from various providers.

Core values: Those ideals and ethics which guide a person's decision-making and behaviors.

Green wedding: A conscientious attempt by a bride, groom, and their families to contract with vendors whose goods and services are environmentally conscious, earth-friendly, sustainable, and recyclable in every feasible way.

Non-renewable resources: Natural resources that exist in fixed amounts. These resources cannot be remade or regrown, and are being consumed faster than nature can create them. Fossil fuels are the obvious example.

Organic: For the purposes of this glossary, organic products are products that are produced without the use of pesticides, artificial fertilizers, growth hormones, or antibiotics.

Post-consumer: A product that has been used by a consumer, and is then recycled. Post-consumer products are important in reducing the amount of waste entering landfills.

Recyclable: A product that can be or has been re-used. Also, a product that will easily decompose.

Renewable: A resource that nature is replenishing at a rate equal to or greater than human consumption rates. Sam and Sarah, for example, have business cards made from cotton -- a renewable resource.

Sustainable: The process of manufacturing, growing, harvesting products using a minimal amount of energy. Use can be sustained by the available natural resources for an indefinite period of time.

Virgin product: Refers to a product made from raw materials. It contains no recycled product.

TIPS FOR GREENER WEDDINGS: Some cool ideas we've already collected

• Instead of party favors, the wedding couple gives traveling guests the gift of carbon offset credits.
  
  
• Select locally produced foods and beverages.
  
  
• Invitations, napkins, and wedding stationery printed with soy inks on recycled papers or renewable resource paper.
  
  
• Floral designs might include living plants instead of cut flowers. Plants might be later used in the couple's landscaping or given to the guests for their gardens.
  
  
• The bride's dress is borrowed, or purchased from a previous owner or consignment store.
  Dresses and formal wear are cotton, hemp, or the beautiful and more formal silk.
  
  
• Glass, china, and pottery are used for food service. If disposable products are used, post-consumer or biodegradable selections are choice.