Green Weddings - Fad or Fantastic?

Recent headlines about the BP oil spill in the Gulf got me thinking once again about the impact we all have on this world. I won't rally against the evils of oil, as nothing yet has been found to effectively replace it (especially when it comes to plastics and other oil-related products we rely upon daily). I will recommit myself to maintaining a low footprint in my work and my life.

Small steps, helped by an industry that is finally waking up to the realities of shrinking resources and consumer awareness, can lead to big results. For example, I have completely eliminated disposable batteries since 2009. It required a few (more expensive) equipment purchases...so this is not necessarily a money-saver, at least in the short term. But I'm so much happier knowing that I don't have to dispose of a half-used set of batteries after each and every shoot.

Likewise, moving my demo videos online means fewer DVDs sent out. From 2001-2008 I was averaging 56 mailed DVDs per year. I'm pretty sure they eventually find their way into a landfill. As online viewing options and quality increased, that number greatly decreased. I'm hoping that this year will continue as a online-viewing-only year.

A recent wedding I covered in Monterey included some wonderful, earth-friendly touches such as hand-painted wood cake-toppers and paper-flower table seating guides. Low impact can be quite chic and stylish. The only limit is your imagination and willingness to think outside the box.

In the next few weeks, I'll be writing more about other ways to 'green' your big day.