By buying our wedding rings from a local jeweler, sans jewels
We bought our rings from Berkeley artist Michelle Rallis of Kiss My Ring. We don't have to worry about conflict jewels because we have none. Melissa's not sure where the silver comes from, but thinks it might be from near Grass Valley, California.
By not sending snail mail invitations
Less gas used by the postal service, less trees cut down, less money and time spent by us. We'll have this website and a Twitter account, and we'll send out emails and evites.
By having my ceremony and reception outside and during the day
This reduces the need for electricity. Hopefully it won't rain... (See information on our rainy day venue here.)
By serving only vegan food
Including the cake. No animal products for us.
By serving local, vegan wine
We're trying to limit the distance our refreshments have to travel to make it to our wedding, and to make sure no egg whites or fish bladders were used to refine them.
By using used
We'll be borrowing plates and silverware from friends and supplementing with ones bought from thrift stores. The majority of our decorations will be made from recycled materials.
By introducing our guests to carbon offsets
Although some people argue that the idea of carbon offsets are fundamentally flawed, we will unfortunately have guests coming in from around the country and will at least introduce them to the idea of offsetting their travel, ultimately allowing them to make the decision to do so for themselves. One of the best ways to reduce a weddings carbon footprint is to have as few guests as possible, but unfortunately, that's something we just can't (or don't want to) do.
By not registering for gifts
We already have so much stuff. I'd much rather have handmade gifts, but I'll settle for none at all. By insisting that our guests don't buy us things, we're reducing our use of material goods.
By arriving and departing on bicycles...?
This may turn out to be just a pipe dream since you pretty much have to climb up a mountain to get to Tilden, but it's a year away, so we have some time to train. And how cute would it be to have a sign on the back of his bike that says "Just" and a sign on the back of mine that says "Married?" (If we can't manage to ride our bikes, we'll rent a hybrid or electric car. And we're going to encourage our guests to do the same.)
This may turn out to be just a pipe dream since you pretty much have to climb up a mountain to get to Tilden, but it's a year away, so we have some time to train. And how cute would it be to have a sign on the back of his bike that says "Just" and a sign on the back of mine that says "Married?" (If we can't manage to ride our bikes, we'll rent a hybrid or electric car. And we're going to encourage our guests to do the same.)
By having unplugged musicians
My second cousins The Brothers Landau, an acoustic guitar and cello duo, and my sister will provide the musical entertainment, sans amplification. Maybe you'll have to be sitting right next to them to hear them but that's fine. An intimate performance by some amazing performers.
By not having flowers
I was horrified when I went into Whole Foods recently where there were advertising their Fair Trade flowers, straight from South America! Don't we have plenty of flowers here? Regardless, I figure it'll be a great way to save money if I just make bouquets and center pieces from recycled paper and fabric. I won't have to worry about them wilting, either.
By honeymooning locally
In San Francisco! We'll take public transportation across the bay and use it throughout our honeymoon.
