Wednesday, September 7, 2011

In the home stretch/ go green all the way!

884 escort cards.
735 ceremony programs.
116 table number cards.
446 menu cards.
590 thank you cards.

This is what my to-do list looks like for this week.  Ok, so it's not all one wedding, it's a combination of 5 weddings... but its kind of fun to see the numbers.  And it's also interesting to take a step back and appreciate the amount of paper your wedding uses.  You of course think, oh yeah- we thought of that, our wedding invitations were totally recycled paper.  Awesome!  But don't forget about the homestretch!  Your day-of accessories are made of smaller pieces, but collectively just as much, if not more paper.

So as a guest of a wedding, or as the lucky couple hosting... remember the importance of coordinating clean-up/ recycling/ compost, and ask the same questions:  
1-  Is my paper post-consumer recycled
2-  Does it come from responsible mills/ forests?
3-  Can it be recycled when all the fun has ended (some coated/sparkly paper can't be)?
4-  And different from your invitations- YOU have control over how these babies are disposed.  Will the venue space you hired to host your reception recycle or compost your paper waste?  If not, make it happen!

And a few tips for the couple...
1-  You don't need as many programs as you may think.  I like to estimate that you could conservatively order 50% to 75% of your expected guest count.  Not everyone will take one and not everyone will be at the ceremony.
2-  Assign someone to be in charge of gathering up paper waste (younger members of family love to be helpers!)  
3-  Double up escort cards and include couples instead of individuals (don't stress about having to say "Joe Smith and Guest"-- Joe should have known better to tell you his date's name.  It's not a big deal).
4-  You can always double up table numbers with the menu in lieu of an individual menu per setting.


The music stops, the kisses have been given, the tears of joy have been wiped clean.  Now... who's making sure 884 escort cards are being recycled?

Own your big day from day one until AFTER the clock chimes midnight.  

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