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1. Serve local and organic catering at your reception. Leaving a "light footprint" on the Planet is a great way to start off your life together. Ask your caterer to serve organic and local ingredients as much as possible. Stop by your local farmer's market for ideas about what is in season in your area.

2. Print your invitations on recycled paper. Using recycled paper for your invitations, programs and place cards is a great way cut back on waste without surrendering style. Designers like Earthly Affair, earthlyaffair.com, offer a plethora of beautiful designs and options. If you are making your own invitations there are also great resources for recycled and natural paper products – invitesite.com and greenfieldpaper.com are our favorite.

3. Go green with your gown. Your wedding dress is often one of the main cornerstones of the Big Day. What better way to show your commitment to a green wedding than by selecting a "second use" wedding gown? Browse online sites like PreownedWeddingDresses.com, or peruse your favorite vintage shop for a one of a kind wedding dress from the 1940's. If you already have your heart set on a gown from a local boutique, think about donating your dress to MakingMemories.com when the wedding is over.

4. Create an Eco-Friendly Centerpiece. A great way to reduce your imprint without sacrificing style is creating a beautiful centerpiece around a potted flower or plant. Cut flowers get thrown away or shrivel up shortly after the reception, but a potted plant can live for years after you say I Do. Plant the flowers in your garden after your honeymoon or give them away to guests as parting gifts.

5. Consider contributions to charity in lieu of wedding gifts. Traditional wedding gifts of china sets and candle sticks are being pushed away for donations to a local or favorite charity in the couple's name. The gift of charity can have a lasting effect on an issue meaningful to you and will not clutter up your home with a bunch of stuff you may not need.

6. Avoid a plastic covered wedding. Replace disposable plastic cups and utensils with reusable products. Bamboo plates and utensils are a stylish, durable and reusable alternative to disposable plastic or paper plates. Another way to avoid plastic is to place your favors and / or attendant gifts in cute reusable canvas bags.

7. Arrange a carpool for guests. If your wedding location is out of the city connect your friends and family members and have them carpool. With the rising price of gas they will thank you for providing this thoughtful option.

8. Schedule an eco-friendly honeymoon. Begin your married life with an Eco-Friendly Honeymoon. Choose a green hotel, off-set your carbon emissions, and / or select an earth-friendly travel company like Elevate Destinations, elevatedestinations.com

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Source by Anna Cronin