Happy Earth Day!!

Have you noticed the weather is super weird this year? There are still storms in the middle of April, temperature drops from an 80F one day to 55F the next day. Huge difference on the weather that is surrounding us! Today, is the 40th anniversary of the Earth Day so let's do something green! Yup, this coming week entries will be about green wedding to help YOU and our earth to feel better and look great! Starting from today and the following week, we will have different topics and tips to show you how to go green on your wedding. Ready? Our first topic for today is for all brides to be!

It is to choose your Eco-friendly wedding gown!



The wedding gown, for 100% that is the one of the most important items when planning a wedding for most brides (well sometime grooms too...because they want their wife to be look stunning and beautiful on their big day as well!). But you may think, well, wedding gowns are always expensive! Not only talking about rather it is on-sale or not, if you just walk in a bridal salon with hundreds of top wedding gown designers dresses, there you go, an easy $1K+ to pay and add on to your wedding day! And when you hear the word "Eco-friendly", is it going to be more pricey?? Well, there are ways that you can get your Eco-friendly gown and save!

How about asking your mom and see if she preserved her wedding dress or not. If she does, maybe there is a reason why. =) Take a look at the dress! If it's not quite your style, work with a seamstress to make it into your style!

Or how about visit the vintage clothing shops for pre-worn dresses? This would be the most easiest and most Eco-friendly you can do. This is a great way to be environmentally friendly and save! You can also purchase a once-worn or sample gown from Brides Against Breast Cancer which donates the proceeds to help women with breast cancer. There are also online sources that you can found a pre-worn wedding gowns like Ebay or The Dress Market. You can also go to Encore Bridal that sells preowned couture wedding dresses and bridal accessories. "Re-using" wedding gowns reduces environmental waste. Also, Encore Bridal is committed to use green business practices (ex. use of recycled paper for stationary, use of recycled and biodegradable shipping products, fuel efficient transportation)

However, if you prefer to wear a brand-new dress, try to find a designer who uses sustainable fabrics created by nature -- and not a factory -- like organic cotton, silk or hemp. Check out Adele Wechsler's Eco Couture line. Consider letting the bridal party wear clothes they already own. Offer a few guidelines, like a color or dress length. They'll love that they can show off their style. Or check out the options for wedding gowns in natural and eco friendly fabrics at: Conscious Clothing orThreadhead Creations. For a casual wedding, check out Rawganique.

So what about of your big day is over?? You may consider donating your wedding gown to a charitable organization-the ultimate in recycling. Brides Against Breast Cancer sells once-worn gowns and uses the proceeds to grant wishes to breast cancer patients nationwide. The I Do Foundation will donate 20% of the proceeds from the sale of your dress to the charity of your choice, and use the remaining funds to support the I Do Foundation's ongoing work to encourage charitable giving at weddings. In addition, you receive a tax write-off from the I Do Foundation for the full value of the dress. Ask your bridesmaids to give their gowns to the Glass Slipper Project , a program that distributes formal dresses to high-school students unable to afford prom attire.

There are ways to get your Eco-friendly wedding gown and go green! Is this something you are considering? =)

Happy Earth Day and Happy Planning!

Sources from: The Knot Green Weddings, Eco Friendly Weddings
Photo from: Pretty Chicky