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A Green Wedding?

Why and How we are Minimizing our Environmental Impact

  • Why Green?

    Nicole has been interested in environmental issues since she learned about recycling, global warming, endangered species, and the hole in the ozone layer in elementary school (Ferngully and Captain Planet were also probable influences). Kyle, being a biologist, is also aware of the impact that humans have on the planet.

    Now that we're at the stage where we make decisions about the impact our lifestyles have on the planet, we are making active choices to reduce that impact. In general, we try to live "minimally" without depriving ourselves, and this will be true of the wedding as well.

    At every stage and for every aspect of the wedding, we have considered these questions:

    • Is this necessary?
    • If yes, is there a way to modify this to create less environmental impact?
    For each decision we make, we are trying to make the environmentally responsible choice. We are trying to make use of pre-existing materials, or to only use materials that can be used again. We will avoid buying single-use items, and items or food that will not be used.

    In this section of the Wedsite, we are highlighting some of the Green choices we have made.

    Added on Sat, May 16th 2009

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  • Location: The Zoo

    The wedding (both ceremony and reception) are taking place at the Toronto Zoo, because:

    • The Toronto Zoo has conservation programs, participates in breeding programs, and raises awareness about the plight of many threatened animal species
    • They educate the public about conservation issues, endangered species, and how human activities negatively impact the world's ecosystems
    • They are committed to making their operation more "green", by increasing their recycling and composting programs, advertising the Eco-Cell cell phone battery recycling program, and moving away from disposable items, among other things
    • The Zoo's partner catering company uses local produce
    • Nicole's childhood Toronto Zoo experiences likely contributed to her being so environmentally aware today

    Aside from the green reasons, Nicole & Kyle are both animal biologists. A zoo seemed like a natural choice.


    Added on Sat, May 16th 2009

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  • Registry

    We have opted to use Alternative Gift Registry for our registry. It allows us to add items from any store, rather than restricting us to a single store. This way, we can search the internet for the more environmentally responsible option when we list those items on the registry.

    Furthermore, we are adding items to our registry only if we feel that we need them and would be likely to purchase them for ourselves at some point in the future, rather than just adding a wackload of stuff we'll never use. We included Furniture Fund and Moving Fund because we recognize that some people do not feel comfortable with monetary gifts. We felt that providing a specific function for the monetary gift might take away some of that discomfort. And rest assured, the money will be spent in the manner (furniture or moving) specified.

    Added on Sat, May 16th 2009

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  • Flowers

    Most store-bought flowers are unenvironmental and unethical for a variety of reasons.

    • They are often grown in tropical locations, and therefore require substantial refrigerated shipping.
    • They require a large doses of pesticides, which is bad for the environment and for the health of the flower-workers.
    • There are also concerns that worker conditions can verge on sweatshop-like.
    • And really, it's a little bit ridiculous to consume so much energy and pesticides just to have flowers look pretty for one day.
    Instead, we have a few alternatives.
    When fresh flowers are required, we will use wildflowers and plants that grow around the Toronto area. These will be picked on the morning of the wedding.
    Nicole isn't sure what she will do for the bouquets, corsages, and bouts, but they may involve DIY crafts or silk flowers.

    Added on Sat, May 16th 2009

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  • Bride's Attire

    Dress
    Shoes
    Hairpiece
    Jewelry

    Added on Fri, Aug 7th 2009

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  • Bridesmaids' Attire

    Dress
    Shoes
    Jewelry

    Added on Fri, Aug 7th 2009

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  • Decorations


    Added on Fri, Aug 7th 2009

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  • Catering, Food, & Dessert


    Added on Fri, Aug 7th 2009

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  • Dessert


    Added on Fri, Aug 7th 2009

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  • Invitations


    Added on Fri, Aug 7th 2009

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  • Programs & Seating Chart


    Added on Fri, Aug 7th 2009

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  • Favours


    Added on Fri, Aug 7th 2009

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  • General Decisions


    Added on Fri, Aug 7th 2009

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