Dream Green Weddings-Sustainable Weddings Make a Difference

With engaged couples becoming more educated about the global impact of weddings on the environment, the movement toward planning sustainable or "green" weddings continues to grow. According to TheWeddingReport.com, there were an estimated 2.2 million weddings in the United States in 2008.

Considering the amount of waste produced at weddings, couples are more aware of their "environmental wedding footprint," and are finding ways to lessen the impact of their special day.

Until recently, couples planning their own eco-wedding could spend countless hours searching the Internet for authentic (and affordable) eco-friendly wedding products. Dream Green Weddings^TM (http://green-wedding.net) recognized this underserved market and recently launched a new online shopping venue offering all eco-friendly wedding specialties including invitations, eco favors, natural candles, earth-friendly decorations and an exclusive Fair Trade Gift & Jewelry Gallery.

"Planning a green wedding should not be a frustrating experience. It should be inspirational, educational, enjoyable, and affordable," said Heather Teague, Founder of Dream Green Weddings. "Our goal is to make it easier for eco-conscious couples to find sustainable wedding specialties that are eco-elegant and ultra-convenient in one online shopping venue that caters to their specific preferences and price range."

Shopping with Eco-Confidence & Social Awareness

One of the important aspects of planning a green wedding is supporting businesses committed to environmental and social responsibility. Dream Green Weddings has created a more meaningful shopping experience by highlighting its featured suppliers' environmental commitments and social responsibility practices right on the product page. For example, if a shopper is interested in purchasing organic chocolate wedding favors, he or she can easily review this featured supplier's environmental commitment, as well as its support of any related causes-right on the product page before they decide to buy.

Couples planning an eco-friendly wedding may also prefer to buy wedding party gifts that support the greater good. Dream Green Weddings factored that preference into the shopping experience and created an exclusive Fair Trade Gift & Jewelry Gallery. Buying fair trade gifts helps to support a better life for people (especially women with children) in developing countries by promoting fair wages, improved working conditions and environmental stewardship. Even more inspiring, shoppers can read the story behind the artisans who created many of the hand-made and unique items featured in the Fair Trade Gift & Jewelry Gallery.

"Couples should keep in mind that planning a green wedding is not an ‘all-or-nothing' concept," added Teague. "While it's wonderful if a bride and groom can go completely green with every aspect of their wedding, they should know that making just a few earth-friendly choices can help lessen the environmental footprint of their special day and still make a difference."

A Green Vow
As part of Dream Green Weddings' pledge to environmental and social responsibility (outlined formally on its Web site under "Our Green Vow"), the company has committed to donate a percentage of its annual net profits to the National Wildlife Federation to help conserve wildlife and other natural resources.