SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW...

…something borrowed, something… green' As we officially enter ‘wedding season’, Waste Awareness Wales is appealing to brides and grooms to-be in Wales to think green when planning their special day.

Not only are weddings an expensive affair, but they can also be the cause of a huge amount of discarded waste – from disposable plates and confetti, to printed invitations and gift wrapping. As Councillor Richard Parry Hughes, chairperson of Waste Awareness Wales , explains;

"It is one of the happiest days in a couple’s life, but there is no reason why your wedding celebration has to cost the earth – literally. There are a number of ways a bride and groom can ensure that their special day is rosy, and green, while still putting on a memorable and elegant event for their family and friends."

It is easy to get carried away in the excitement of organising a wedding so, to help the busiest of couples to make their wedding as green as possible, Waste Awareness Wales has compiled the following handy hints and tips:

• Invitations – what better way to be green than to send out your invitations by email. Or, if you prefer the traditional approach, make sure any paper invitations are printed on recycled paper;
• The dress – with the trend for all things vintage refusing to go away, why not check out specialist vintage stores for your gown' Or alternatively, make sure you chose a dress that you can wear again. A good way to do this is to buy separates, which are more versatile, or you could even dye your dress another colour after your special day or have it altered by a professional;
• The venue – meet with the venue coordinator before booking to make sure they can accommodate your wishes to have a green wedding;
• Food and drink – make sure your caterer knows that you are keen to have a green wedding and avoids disposable plates, cups and napkins. Try also to support local producers and ask if you can have recycling bins on hand for all those champagne bottles and any other rubbish at your reception;
• Gifts – instead of asking people for household items you may already have or don’t really need, why not request guests donate money to charity on your behalf or look out for gifts made from recycled materials such as those available via www.recycledproducts.org.uk;
• Confetti – make sure you supply your bridesmaids with biodegradable confetti, which is easily available now in stores. Natural substitutes, such as flowers petals collected from a local florist that would have thrown them away, make an elegant alternative.