There's a new bride walking down the aisle these days. She's one who wants to tread lightly on the Earth and make her wedding environmentally friendly. With the eco-movement going mainstream, there are dozens of ways to turn that white wedding green.

Bridal Expo Chicago recently presented an entire morning of green wedding and party planning ideas at Galleria Marchetti for NBC 5 News. Below is an introduction on how to-be-weds can add a little “Green” to weddings:

GREEN WEDDINGS: A GROWING TREND FOR U.S. BRIDES & GROOMS

Chicago, IL – March 15, 2007 -- About 2.4 million couples get married every year in the U.S., at an average cost of $20,000 per wedding, generating total revenues of some $70 billion, according to theknot.com, an online wedding resource. "Since you'll probably spend more on your wedding than any other single expenditure except your car or home, it's a great opportunity to support local, organic, recycled, and recyclable goods," says Bill Brennan, CEO, Bridal Expo Chicago. " Today's couples are aware of issues affecting the world around them and want to affect change." Brennan says, having your dream wedding and being eco-friendly is not as difficult as it sounds, its all about striking a balance. Where to begin? Here's a green-wedding checklist.

1. Shopping for Vendors: By going to the Bridal Expo Chicago, brides and grooms can find all the vendors they need in one place. This eliminates unnecessary travel and thus, fewer omissions in the air, etc. Among many environ-friendly vendors you’ll find at Bridal Expo Chicago/Milwaukee include:

Bridal Gown & Bridesmaids Dresses: Shelley's Bridal, West Dundee, IL, regularly works with area brides to help them realize their dreams. Some options include purchasing a couple of “sample” gowns to create the interior of a custom made gown with the addition of a new outer shell to create a one-of-kind 100% Organic Recycled Couture gown. In addition, Shelley’s Bridal can custom-create any gown using eco-friendly fabrics. (Peace silk, hemp and organic cotton are much easier on the environment than their synthetic counterparts).

Limousines. Exotic Coach LimoSuites®, Villa Park, IL, is the worlds largest provider in customized and luxurious limousines.   As they continue to grow, Exotic Coach has begun to shift their focus by becoming a more environmentally friendly company due to global warming and the burning of fossil fuels. As of July 1, 2007, Exotic Coach is the first in the Nation to have begun the process of converting it's entire fleet of limousines over to LPG (Liquid Propane Gas).

Photography. Modern Image Studio, Lombard, IL, converted completely over to 100% digital photography reducing chemicals and hazardous wastes in the production of proof sheets. Today, brides and grooms can look at their wedding proofs on line or on CD and by doing so can save the environment of paper waste and chemical processing. Modern Image also features a new product – an LCD picture frame that cycles through 50-60 pictures at a time.

2. Venue and Food

About half of the average wedding budget is spent on the venue and the caterer, Brennan says. When selecting a venue and caterer, he recommends:
Consider supporting a location and/or a nonprofit organization that's already interested in or dedicated to green causes: parks, museums, or retreat centers, for example.
Rather than having everyone come to you, consider choosing a venue close to where the majority of your guests live. This will help cut down on the environmental costs associated with travel.
For the same reason, hold the ceremony and reception at the same venue and help your guests arrange carpools.
If you're looking at a hotel, inn, or restaurant, ask if the food director will cater to your organic and local wishes. If not, ask if you can bring in your own caterer, baker, etc.

3. Flowers

"Most flowers come from countries where pesticide usage isn't as regulated as it is in the U.S.. And, since flowers aren't a food crop, they're seldom tested for pesticide residues," Brennan says.
Some safer options:
Choose organic fresh flowers. Seek out a local provider, if possible, or try organicbouquet.com.
Grow your own, or force bulbs if not in season.
Use “live” plant material such as Azalea Topiaries or Hydragen combined with dried or silk flowers or decorate with fruits or greenery. These flower centerpieces taken home by invited guests can be planted in the garden after the wedding for years of enjoyment.
Son Ray Events and Rolling Meadows Florists are just a few of Bridal Expo Chicago/Milwaukee vendors who offer “Green” flower options.

4. Invitations, Programs, and Menus

According to a June 2002 report by the U.S. EPA, close to 40 percent of the material in U.S. landfills is paper. Brennan advises if you're going to buy paper, look for a non-chlorine-bleached product with at least 30 percent post-consumer waste. Other green-leaning engaged couples have sent out save-the-date cards by email, translating into an environmental savings in paper and transportation fuel. Papercouture.net is just one of several Bridal Expo Chicago exhibitors who offer “Earth Friendly” options. And recycled paper thank you letters imbedded with wild flower seeds can be planted in the garden after it has been read by your wedding guests.

5. Wedding Rings

As for the ring, gold mining releases poisonous cyanide and mercury into the environment. Silver is lower impact, or you can have vintage gold rings resized.

6. Favors and Gifts

Among the options available, says Brennan, include:

• Giving organic chocolate or small jars of local honey from your farmers market. It is all about thinking outside the box. Seasonal flower bulbs like Tulips, Gladiolas, Amaryllis, Hyacinths, Star Gazer, and Casa Blanca Lilies make beautiful favors when gift wrapped.


• Making a charitable donation or providing personalized trees. The Arbor Day Foundation offers mini trees with your very own message on a customized label. (www.arborday.org)


• Requesting or registering for green gifts such as energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs, organic cotton. See Ecomall.com for more environmentally friendly gifts, and talk to Bridal Expo Chicago vendors about organic food and wine and environmental friendly clothing, paper, appliances, bedding, and more.


• Note: Do not release butterflies, which can disrupt wild butterflies' migration and spread disease or parasites, according to the North American Butterfly Association.

Use as few disposable items as possible, to avoid adding to landfills. Request that cleanup staff separate recyclables. And, take any unclaimed flowers and ask that they be composted, or donate to a local nursing home, hospital, or other venue that will appreciate them.

For more and more couples, getting married provides a natural time to vow to treat the planet, as well as one's spouse, with respect and love. "A wedding is a time of hope for the newlyweds," Brennan says. "Why shouldn't it be that for the environment, too?"