Green is in. And if being eco-savvy is important to you and your husband-to-be, a few, easy changes to your wedding lineup can deliver a hip, sophisticated event that is good for both your guests and the planet. Here, some simple ways to help make a whole lot of difference.

Digging In: Organic and local fare.
Organic foods limit the amount of pesticides and chemical that go into the earth—and your body. Serving local foods helps reduce carbon emissions by limiting the transportation of your edibles. Bring a deliciously conscious and stylish element to your bill of fare by:

• Putting items from a local farm, your town’s farmer’s market, or a local microbrew on the menu.
• Working with a caterer or venue that focuses on organic foods and wines.
• Holding your event at a local or organic farm.
• Asking your baker to use organic flours and other earth-friendly ingredients like organic edible flowers.

Stamp of Approval: Earth-friendly invitations.
Send a beautiful message to guests with tree-free and recycled invite options. Eco-friendly invitations that also happen to be elegant and unique are finally available. Eco- and budget-conscious brides will rejoice in sustainable, tree-free invites made in Nepal from www.nepalesepaper.com. Each invite in the special boxed wedding set is adorned with an elegant Bodhi leaf and bamboo stick. Those with a green thumb will savor seeded versions from www.botanicalpaperworks.com that sprout colorful wildflowers when your guests plant them in soil. Recycled options, which help save trees across the country, are available at www.naturallyeverafter.com. 

Bag It: Gift bags and favors with a conscience.
Paper or plastic? Eco-smart brides can now say “neither.” Each of the over 500 billion plastic shopping bags that were tossed into landfills this year will take at least 1,000 years to break down. Environmentally conscious couples can do the earth a whole lot of good by choosing recycled or hemp reusable versions for their guest’s or wedding party’s gift bags. Buy simple bags from www.reusablebags.com or choose colorful, modern designs from places like  www.bhappybags.com. Dogeared Designs (www.dogeared.com) offers white canvas bags with humorous messages like “Your Plastic Bag Can Kiss My Canvas!” Stock the reusable bag of your choice chock full of smart gifts that show your commitment to the environment, including everything from compact fluorescent light bulbs and organic energy bars to your itinerary and information on why reusable bags help the planet. Even wedding favors can be green. Couples can choose to place a plant or seedling tree at each place setting or even tree-free favor bags loaded up with organic chocolates or beeswax aromatherapy candles from Bluecorn Naturals (www.beeswaxcandles.com).

Flower Power: Stunning and sustainable petals.
Even beautiful, natural details like bouquets and flower arrangements can be even greener. Options ranging from online organic florists to local growers that don’t use pesticides allow you to choose the right flowers for your event—and still focus on earth-friendly options. Businesses like Organic Bouquet (www.organicbouquet.com) and www.californiaorganicflowers.com offer certified USDA organic flowers in every incarnation, from roses and amaryllis to lilies and Gerber daisies. Brides can also reduce carbon emissions by choosing locally grown buds from a farm or florist.

Green Gifting: Eco-conscious registry ideas.
Some couples choose to extend their eco-consciousness into their own registry by serving up options to plant trees and buy carbon offset credits. At www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com, wedding-goers can buy the bride and groom a parcel of trees or a garden to be planted in a Third World country. At www.nativeenergy.com, guests can purchase carbon offset gift cards for the happy, carbon-reducing couple.

In the end, guests will appreciate your tasteful, green ideas, as long as you allow the theme to complement your wedding and not dominate it. Brides be forewarned, however, that some eco-conscious choices, from organic blooms to natural edibles, can often end up being slightly more costly in the end. But certain choices, like tree-free invitations, can actually be less expensive. Any sustainable elements you decide to add to your repertoire will make your wedding unique—and you can enjoy it all with a clearer eco-conscience.