ON A BUDGET?
Planning a wedding with the environment and your budget in mind can sometimes be daunting.
But remember, the key to a wedding that's eco- and style-conscious is to simplify. Reusing
accents or materials doesn't just save money, it saves resources. Work with what you've got
nearby (and in season) and feel good about your efforts.
Consolidate Inserts
Typically, there's a lot of information to convey to your guests. Instead of enclosing multiple cards in your
invite, combine the essential info into one card. One way to do this is to print up a website card that directs
guests to your personal, paper-free domain.
Another excellent way to save paper and money is to use a seal-and-send invitation. These are usually on
one piece of card stock which folds on itself to form the envelope. The response card is a postcard. This
saves not only all the envelopes (which are not necessary for this invitation), but also postage on the
response card (it is a postcard and not a letter).
Seal-n-Send Invitations by Carlson Craft
Seal and Send Invitations by McPherson's
Seal and Send Invitations by Nu-Art
Seal-N-Send Invitations by Stylart
Minimize the Mailings
Use online invites for the surrounding events: the bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, and the postwedding
brunch. If you need to update your guests about the wedding happenings, toss the paper newsletter for an
email version.
Skip the Extras
Instead of placing a menu at every setting, have one or two for the table. If you're having wedding programs,
eliminate unnecessary pages (like that monogrammed layer of vellum). Or print up one per couple -- you
definitely don't need extra programs.
Seat Guests with (Paperless) Style
Splurge on Calligraphy
Have as many items hand-calligraphed as your budget allows. Not only is calligraphy gorgeous and
elegant, it's totally eco-friendly. Envelopes and escort cards are pretty standard, but you can calligraph
menus, table names and numbers, and even the invitation itself.
Planning a wedding with the environment and your budget in mind can sometimes be daunting.
But remember, the key to a wedding that's eco- and style-conscious is to simplify. Reusing
accents or materials doesn't just save money, it saves resources. Work with what you've got
nearby (and in season) and feel good about your efforts.
Consolidate Inserts
Typically, there's a lot of information to convey to your guests. Instead of enclosing multiple cards in your
invite, combine the essential info into one card. One way to do this is to print up a website card that directs
guests to your personal, paper-free domain.
Another excellent way to save paper and money is to use a seal-and-send invitation. These are usually on
one piece of card stock which folds on itself to form the envelope. The response card is a postcard. This
saves not only all the envelopes (which are not necessary for this invitation), but also postage on the
response card (it is a postcard and not a letter).
Seal-n-Send Invitations by Carlson Craft
Seal and Send Invitations by McPherson's
Seal and Send Invitations by Nu-Art
Seal-N-Send Invitations by Stylart
Minimize the Mailings
Use online invites for the surrounding events: the bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, and the postwedding
brunch. If you need to update your guests about the wedding happenings, toss the paper newsletter for an
email version.
Skip the Extras
Instead of placing a menu at every setting, have one or two for the table. If you're having wedding programs,
eliminate unnecessary pages (like that monogrammed layer of vellum). Or print up one per couple -- you
definitely don't need extra programs.
Seat Guests with (Paperless) Style
- Paint or stamp guests' names on stones from your favorite beach, park or hike
- Tie a ribbon to the stem of a flower (using ribbon left over from invitations or programs, of course) with
the guest's name and table number on it. - Forgo individual escort cards for a poster that lists table information.
- Take it up a notch with white-glove service: have guests ask the waiters (armed with printouts of the
table assignments) for the info.
Splurge on Calligraphy
Have as many items hand-calligraphed as your budget allows. Not only is calligraphy gorgeous and
elegant, it's totally eco-friendly. Envelopes and escort cards are pretty standard, but you can calligraph
menus, table names and numbers, and even the invitation itself.
- In the area? Come in to our store for more personalized service!
Have a question? Email us!
| Green Weddings - What About My Budget? Green Wedding Invitations - Green Reception Ideas - Green Favors and Gifts |
| "Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil, and 4,100 kilowatt- hours of electricity—enough energy to power the average American home for five months" -U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
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| The Environmental Defense Fund believes that recycling paper cuts overall greenhouse gas emissions, by decreasing the amount of waste diverted to landfills (where decomposition leads to methane production) and by reducing the need to cultivate forest lands. Read more about the environmental benefits of using recycled paper here (PDF). |
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