As is often the case with things that grow, Sheila Sheffield's eco-friendly party favor business started with one seedling. Just months after guests left their August 1992 wedding with blue spruce seedlings in their pockets, Sheila Sheffield was in business, selling seedlings, seed packets and bulbs to brides interested in a different kind of party favor. Tree Beginnings, an online, mail-order business based in Locke, is one example of how the trend of environmental consciousness has infiltrated the wedding scene. This movement takes the traditional requirements of a wedding - “something old, new, borrowed and blue” - and adds “something green.”

This article by Jeanne Muchnick proves that going green can save you money. She does a fantastic job of running through some of the simple techniques that can make a huge difference for the environment and your wallet. Click here to read Your Special Day at a Special Price. 

Amanda Cuda wrote a three page article on green weddings for the Spring 2009 issue of Bride & Groom Magazine featuring The Green Bride Guide. See pages 36-39. 

Excerpt:

A Green Wedding

Kate Harrison was trying to plan a green wedding a few years ago when she saw an opening in the wedding market. Her difficulty in finding environmentally friendly wedding vendors led her to create blogs to provide green wedding information. The blogs led to a book deal, then to a website about the green wedding market.

Harrison, who is receiving a master's degree in environmental law and environmental management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, launched The Green Bride Guide last year. She's decided to forgo a career in law — at least, for now — to continue with her growing business. She will be a fellow in the Yale Entrepreneurial Institute's summer program.

"The opportunity that you're giving up isn't necessarily as large as it once was," said Harrison, referring to law firms cutting back hours or having layoffs. "Even though the whole economy is shrinking, the green economy is actually blooming."

"As somebody who's launched a green business, there's a lot of support," she said. "I think I've entered the marketplace at an opportune time."

To read the entire article click here. 

Looks like The Green Bride Guide is getting attention in Rockford, Illinois.  Click here to read this article. 

This article by Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell, appeared in "I Do, I Do" the Spring Bridal Supplement for Hersam Acorn Newspapers. It covers a lot of ground and also features Wenona Napolitano from The Everything Green Wedding Book. 

Click here to download the PDF.

This article is not only a good resource for couples, but it has wonderful tips for wedding planners, florists and other wedding service providers on how to green their businesses. Click here to download the PDF.