With prices for everything going up these days, many couples are feeling a pinch in their pocketbooks when it comes to wedding planning. Trying to decide where to cut costs can be very difficult. This could be the perfect time to sit down and discuss what is most important to you and how your money can best be spent. Do your guests really need, or want for that matter, a shot glass with your names on it as a wedding favor? Instead, have you thought about a charitable wedding favor?

More and more couples are looking for socially conscious alternatives to the typical wedding-related items. Organizations such as the I Do Foundation (www.idofoundation.org) help couples find a charity that best fits their values and makes it easy to create donation opportunities. As the nation’s first wedding-focused nonprofit, the I Do Foundation offers solutions for couples who want to share these values with their wedding guests and provide them with a wedding favor that will make a lasting impression. I’m sure your friends and family will appreciate your donation in their name.

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Green Weddings are becoming more and more popular lately.  Why not extend the eco-friendly mindset to your gift registry?  Branch is one of many online retailers providing “sustainable design for living.”  Now, you won’t feel as guilty accepting the many, many gifts!

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While flying a bio-diesel fueled airplane may not be happening in the near future, there are ways to be ‘green’ with your honeymoon. Companies like Elevate Destinations offer trip packages to locations you may not think of when planning your honeymoon, like Africa, South and Central America or even India and New Zealand. While there you can be involved with philanthropic activities in the local region while still getting a great tan and enjoying beach time depending on location.

You can also look into resorts that are going green like the Hotel Eco Paraíso Xixim on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico that filters waste water to use in their gardens and solar panels to heat the water in their pools.

There’s even a site dedicated to Eco-Tourism.  They offer tips and ideas for traveling and destination choices.  Even MSN has a Green Travel site and Yahoo! has entire property dedicated to being ‘green’.

So when planning your honeymoon travel, if you’re interested in doing something a little ‘green’, finding ideas is getting easier and easier.  Enjoy!

Over the course of your wedding planning, there is a lot of paper that is typically used.  Save the Dates and Invitations are the common, but you may also be printing Bridal Shower invites, ceremony programs, table number cards, thank you cards and possibly others.  When thinking green about all this, look into using high-count recycled paper and soy or veggie-based ink.  Perhaps even some DIY projects using a natural ink is another idea.  Also, don’t be afraid to simply cut back on mailings.  Using Online RSVP functions on your wedding website is a great way to cut back on paper and postage (as prices for stamps go up next month).

So be sure to ask you paper company about using recycled or natural materials for your wedding paper.

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Earth Day is tomorrow so this week we’re going to offer ideas and tips for adding a ‘green’ touch to your wedding. Green weddings have been gaining in popularity lately so we thought we’d run with it this week.

Today, we’ll start with your wedding dress. There are a few ways to have a stylish, yet ‘green’ wedding dress. The main way is with the fabrics the dress is made from. Gowns can be created from organic cotton, silk, hemp and a hemp/silk combination. You could also consider having someone make one for you if you can’t find a bridal salon in your area that carries these types of dresses.

Another option is that you can look into buying a dress that was donated. This is also a great way to save money on a dress. Organizations like Brides Against Breast Cancer resell dresses and use the money to grant wishes to people diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.

When searching for wedding dresses on WeddingWire, be sure to ask if they offer any ‘green’ wedding dresses.

This weekend the Daily News in New York City ran a great article providing some ideas to brides and grooms looking to incorporate some eco-friendly options into their wedding as this ‘green wedding’ trend continues.  Some ideas that are highlighted include using soy based paper for invitations and save the dates or even simply emailing you save the dates to avoid paper all together (the email can look just like a card).  Other ideas include using a caterer or menu options that serve food that is locally and/or organically grow and even have centerpieces that can double as favors or be planted after the wedding.  The article touches on a few of the big things you can do, but there’s lots of options out there.  I’ve even started to see limo companies that offer hybrid vehicles.  Having ‘green’options as a part of your wedding is not as hard as it used to be so if this is fits your taste, have fun with it.

Got other ‘green’ wedding ideas?  Leave a comment to share your ideas.

If you’re hoping to keep things environmentally friendly on your big day, check out Portovert! The online monthly magazine gives advice and tips on how to combine style and swank with social responsibility. Check it out!