SIGN-UP FOR DAILY TIPS
 
BANG FOR THE BITE
apple

Eco-wedding favors and décor can cost more, but you only get married once (well, that's the idea, anyway), so go all out and all green.

COCKTAIL FACT

Yet another myth: seagulls also don't explode when fed Alka-Seltzer. We don't suggest you try it, however.

SAVE TO MY BITES   

FORWARD TO A FRIEND:
RATE THIS TIP:
How useful is this tip to you?
(5 is the highest)
   
1 2 3 4 5

home ›   tip library ›   Green Weddings - Eco Confetti

Once and for all - are we killing the damn birdies or not?

The Bite

Nope - it's a myth. So throw all the rice you want and focus on other ways to green your wedding favors, décor and trimmings.

The Benefits

  • Choose organic fabrics and favors. Organic chocolate or jams from your local farmer's market use fewer pesticides.
  • Reuse. Use silverware or bamboo-based utensils to avoid sending plastic utensils to landfills.
  • Host the sweetest-looking, greenest wedding your friends and fam have ever been to.

Personally Speaking

Jen's favorite "confetti" had to be the stuff at her BFF's wedding - it doesn't get more biodegradable than rose petals.

Wanna Try?

Rent when possible and donate leftovers to a local charity.

Favors
  • Cocoa Vino - beautifully crafted, delicious organic bonbons ($31).
  • Archipelago Botanicals Monogram Candle - a monogrammed soy candle that's a little more personal than the typical favor ($25).
  • Ecofetti - biodegradable confetti ($8/3 cups). Or, offer guests confetti made from old wrapping paper or organic rose petals.
  • Tree in a Box - a tree seed kit makes a great green favor ($3).

Settings

Feb 15,2007


Sponsor
All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.


Do the Planet a (Wedding) Favor

I have to admit, I have never been too into wedding "stuff."  I think they are beautiful and all that, but I do hope I will have the means to hire someone to take care of the details.  I mean, I am not even sure I know why Wedding Favors are necessary... isn't there enough "stuff" surrounding weddings? However, if I must get/give one, would love something that would pay it forward... you know, make a statement and help educate and be fun.  Like what?  What about a hand-help carbon calculator, with a gift-certificate code for offsetting their wedding travel?  Now there's an idea...  if one of you rich Biters wants to produce a prototype, just co-brand it with the Bite and you can keep royalties.  Yeah, I am in a good mood.

UNTIL JUST NOW.

I am back at this coffee shop, and was trying to enjoy a nice morning with music, change of atmosphere, etc.  And this woman just came in with 3 very hyper children, and drew a semi-circle around where I was sitting in a big comfy chair in the corner, and said, "you need to play in here."  I couldn't believe it.  I packed up all my stuff, unplugged my computer, moved myself, my coffee, my bag, my coat.  She said, "sorry about that."  I couldn't even respond.  I mean REALLY.  Really?  Is this how it will be... some sort of "entitlement" that comes with having kids?  It really just killed my urge to have a rug-rat... god help me if I act like that. I mean, I would have been fine if she came over to me and asked, explaining why somehow that was the ONLY space to let the kids play (and question:  when did a coffee house become a nursery?).

Okay, thanks for letting me rant. 

Off to go somewhere else... they are singing like this is their stage. I just wanted a cup of chai latte in a bit of peace. Jen


Biter Comments...
At my wedding last September, we used all sustainably sourced fish and gave out the pocket sustainable fish guides from the Monterey Bay Aquarium in our guest bags. We also gave out endangered species chocolate bars and tea forte as our guest gifts. I didn't (at the time) think to offset the carbon footprint, or maybe put that on our registry so our guests could do it. That would've been a great idea!

Posted by: Jamie Gulick | February 15, 2007 at 09:11 AM

The reason why many wedding venues don't allow rice or bird seed or rose petals or confetti to be tossed is that they create the potential of someone slipping and falling PLUS make a mess someone has to clean up.

Posted by: JillS | February 15, 2007 at 10:25 AM

I checked out the bamboo-ware and it looks cool but, disposable? I understand that it composts (eventually), but with the energy it takes to produce it - not to mention ship it from China, I can't quite see how it makes it to the plus side for the planet...... I once ate a falafel served on a pressed-banana-leaf plate - beautiful and you could just drop it on the ground if you wanted to. I saved mine -somewhere -to show friends...it's probably dust by now.

Posted by: Nancy S. | February 15, 2007 at 11:05 AM

Thanks to Jamie for explaining part of why rice isn't always allowed. I wish ideal bite could have included some information on debunking the "rice kills birds" myth..I tend not to believe simple statements such as "nope" unless some facts back it up.

Posted by: Anne | February 15, 2007 at 11:09 AM

Jen, try not to get too uptight about that mom with the kids spilling over into your space at the coffee shop. When your kids are that age, you have no life of your own, no identity, no meaningful conversations, no original thoughts. You're lucky to remember to brush your teeth and change your underwear. Prepare yourself for the next time that happens, and say firmly but sweetly "I really came here for the peace and quiet and the opportunity to get away from my own children at home - please respect that." If it doesn't work, remember, you get to go back to a tidy, quiet house and she won't see that kind of serenity for YEARS!

Posted by: Dorinda | February 15, 2007 at 11:11 AM

I was surprised to see you didn't mention seed packets as a green wedding favor. These are very popular--in fact, there are vendors who will make customized packets with your names and wedding date on them. Or you can do what we did: buy the seeds in bulk and print your own personalized seed envelopes from your computer. Ended up costing us less than $15 for 75 favors. (I do agree that favors aren't really a necessity--but they make a nice little souvenir.)

Posted by: haverwench | February 15, 2007 at 02:57 PM

I've been working at a wedding favor company for many years now and the most "successful wedding favors" are: 1. Disposable/edible wedding favors - packaged to look cute and can be eaten and thrown away like gourmet chocolate truffles packaged in a small gift box and bow. They serve their purpose and no ones gets stuff with a wedding momento the don't want or need. 2. Practical wedding favors - ones that prove to have some sort of use to the reciever like measuring spoons, bottle openers and glass coasters. Choosing between the two depends on your personal style and budget. Even if it's just to get some ideas, please visit our website www.weddingfavorites.com to see what I'm talking about.

Posted by: Hina Khan | February 28, 2007 at 05:46 PM

Hello. I was just out viewing blogs and came across yours. I have two web sites about wedding favors and Invitations that you can visit at: www.doyouneedafavor.com and www.myitalianweddingfavors.com when you have some time. Thanks! Lou

Posted by: Lou | May 30, 2007 at 09:03 PM

My sister sent out invitations that could later be planted and flowers would grow. How eco friendly is that?! And really cute, too, as far as wedding "stuff" goes. :)

Posted by: Kat | July 18, 2007 at 02:33 PM

We used seed packets at our wedding...I liked the idea of it because later when flowers are blooming someone may just remember that special day that belongs to you and your sweetie.... Also, about the kids in the coffee shop...You moving and making room for those kids without ranting at the mother may have been the only thing that gave her peace that day...it is true that a mother with young children really has no identity since she gives herself to her children, hopefully the future biters of the world. And about having rugrats of your own...don't let someone elses rowdy kids deter you...keep the good gene pool going!

Posted by: Carrie | August 16, 2007 at 12:09 PM

toronto wedding

Posted by: toronto wedding | May 17, 2008 at 01:19 AM

Post a comment
* Denotes a required field




* Please enter the word you see in the image below:




TL/Blog-Banner-Onesie

ABOUT US  | ADVERTISE  |  B.I.G. AWARDS  |  PRESS  |  PARTNERS  |  SUBMIT A PRODUCT  |  ADD OUR TIPS TO YOUR SITE

CONTACT US  |  F.A.Q.  |  EDITORIAL POLICY  |  PRIVACY POLICY  |  TERMS & CONDITIONS  |  DISCLAIMER  |  UNSUBSCRIBE

IDEAL BITE IS NOT INTENDED FOR READERS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE

© 2008 IDEAL BITE, INC.

Are you liking these Bites? If so, you should consider signing up to have these bite-sized, sassy eco-living tips emailed to you each weekday... free!