It can seem like there’s no such thing as a wedding without pomp, excess, and a cake taller than your flower girl. Isn’t the phrase “green wedding” an oxymoron? 

Actually, no. Lest we forget: there’s always the original “green” wedding: throw on a cocktail dress, tie some cans from the blue bin to the back of your bike, and pedal down to the nearest courthouse. Then again, that sort of simplicity won’t work for everyone (such as, for instance, your doily-crazed Aunt Bertha). As Grist’s green sage Umbra Fisk puts it, “In the modern wedding context, it might be difficult for the family to feel happy or comfortable just having a simple event, which we might call the ‘reduce’ wedding.” 

Besides, weddings — gasp — can actually be quite fun to plan. After all, it’s often a couple’s first opportunity to declare their mutual values to the world — to share their spiritual beliefs, their passion for farm-fresh ingredients, their weakness for those cute old-fashioned blue Mason jars. 

Thankfully, the wedding world is a lot wider than it used to be, and it’s perfectly possible to have an all-out soiree that still sits right with your conscience. To help flesh out the possibilities, we've rounded up this list of some of our favorite wedding vendors in cities around the country for a glimpse of greener options on the matrimonial frontlines. 

Annatarian Custom-made dresses from vintage fabrics, as well as bamboo and silk

Once Wed Buy or sell used designer wedding dresses 

Conscious Clothing One of the larger eco-bridal collections with hippie looks made with hemp silk, plus groomswear  

Threadhead Creations Simple, earthwise bridal gowns 

Olivia Luca Design your own gown out of organic and natural fabrics

Deborah Lindquist Eco-friendly upscale designer out of L.A. with funky, unique bridal line

Bridal Garden Nonprofit bridal boutique in NYC featuring deeplydiscounted couture gowns with all proceeds going to education projectsfor kids

White Chicago New, sample and once-worn gowns

Isadoras Antique diamond engagement rings, estate jewelry, elegantvintage eveningwear and beautiful in-house designed wedding gowns outof Seattle

Wai Ching Hand-made, artistic avant-garde dresses (pictured right)

Bridal Garden Nonprofit bridal boutique in NY that benefits  education

Brilliant Earth San Fran-based “conflict-free” diamonds and recycled metals turned into lovely wedding jewelry

Green Karat “Ecologically responsible jewelry”

Cred Jewelry Sources gold and platinum from a group of Columbian mining communities that meet rigorous environmental criteria

Elizabeta Jewelry “Jewelry with a conscience” - great selection of designer conflict-free engagement rings

Dawes Design Gorgeous stacking rings using recycled gold and conflict-free jewels (pictured right)

Get gorgeous

Who wants to say “I Do” covered in icky toxic chemicals? Not you! Let the divine Ms. Aimee Valentine of San Francisco make your inner green goddess shine

Priti Spa NYC is a lovely place to be pampered using 100% organic and eco-friendly products

ZahZoom Wedding and Parties Green wedding planning out of S.F. headed by the very capable Nelle Johnston

Angelique Events Green wedding planning out of L.A. by Angelica Weihs, who shares her tips at ecocopia.blogspot.com

DV Green Green event planning by Danielle Venokur in New York

Flowers

Rosenow local, organic, seasonal and potted flower arrangements, as well as creative floral alternatives

Grandi Flora Florist Karen Hsu uses found plants and yard clippings to green her designs (pictured right)

Wisteria Lane Organic flower shop in L.A. that caters to the green-minded bride and groom

EtsyBuy handmade favors, jewelry and general décor from an evergrowingnumber of indy craftsters — or just browse for DIY inspiration

Amoda Flowers Organic, local and fair trade florist, specializing in green weddings and events

Terra Bella Flowers, Local, organic and sustainably grown floral designs in Seattle

Greener Printer Berkeley-based green printer, great for DIY invites

Invitesite Offers earth-friendly options, orderable on the web

Paperedtogether Minneapolis-based letterpress, uses tree-free paper and offsets energy uses with wind power

Twisted Limb Paperworks Handmade, recycled paper invitations

Seal and Send Combine your whole invitation package onto one foldable sheet

Yellow Owl Workshop S.F. letterpress using non toxic inks and 100% PCR paper (pictured right)

Smock Paper Elegant appearance, sustainably designed using “luxury” bamboo paper

WedShare Create your own wedding website with paperless wedding invitations, e-planning and RSVPs online

Guest goodies, etc.

Eco Bags Send guests home with a personalized reusable tote made from organic cotton, hemp or recycled materials

Fair Trade Federation Find vendors who measure up to the organization’s high labor and environmental standards

Peace Love Earth Give your guests a recycled silver peace charm “designed to inspire positive change” as a symbol of your love for each other and the earth

Evo Limo Service Rentable, L.A.’s natural gas-powered luxury automobiles

Offset your carbon creating activities with one of the following companies:

 Carbonfund

Brighter Planet

Terrapass

Co2Balance

 EAT, DRINK & BE MARRIED - Earthwise caterers

Food and catering 

If you're picturing an all-organic bar, check out Magnanimous Wine Group for California Reds and VEEV acai liquor for giving your signature cocktail a truly unique ingredient 

Back to Earth Elegant, organic, veg and vegan-friendly catering based in Berkeley

Springloaf Catering Organic, local, seasonal yumminess from seasoned professionals (pictured right)

Work of Art Experienced San Francisco based caterer and one of the first food waste recyclers, they utilize bio-based products and boast 90% waste diversion

Real Food Daily Delicious, organic, vegan catering and customized wedding cakes in Los Angeles

Madeleine Bistro Catering of organic, vegan cuisine, on-site or off

Naturally Delicious Boutique-style caterer in Brooklyn

City Provisions Catering & Events Community-oriented caterer dedicated to strong green business practices 

Greg Christian Catering and Events Upscale events caterer with focus on organic and local eats from Chicago 

The Chicago Diner Beloved vegan diner that caters events from 6 to 600

Herban Feast Local, organic, affordable catering in Seattle

Vegan Divine Gourmet vegan gifts and gift baskets

Picnick Funky new “sustainable food kiosk” in Battery Park; they cater

Lucid Food Local, organic and committed to sustainability, these New York caterers compost 100% of their organic waste and donate 5% of proceeds to responsible food non-profits

Seedling Organic Catering Specializes in vegan and macrobiotic menus 

Ravishing Radish  Seattle catering offers local, seasonal and festive menus

Monterey Bay Aquarium Find the lowest-impact fish to serve 

Creative cakes

Peace, Love and Cupcakes Divine Bay Area vegan dessert catering and bright green business practices (pictured right)

Nana Pearls in New York makes beautiful bridal cakes both old-fashioned and contemporary which can be vegan and organic

Cake Obsessions  Customized modern eco-dream cakes in New York

The Pastry Princess Out of San Francisco will co-craft your cake using organic, homemade components by request

Felicite Organizes your list on one site, so you can register at all the small mom and pops you love

Gaiam Eco-friendly basics, from linens to composting units 

Viva Terra “Eco living with style” (pictured right)

Branch Home S.F.-based online store that strives to “redefine shopping” by selling products that exceed strict, self-imposed labor and environmental standards

I Do Foundation Won

derful resource to practice generosity on your big day; explore the foundations partners to give back to a charity of your choice when registering

Changing the Present Encourage your loved ones to make a donation gift to a charity that represents your values

VISIONARY VENUES 

The Peter J Sharp Boathouse at Swindler Cove Park NYC’s first “community boathouse” offers a unique event space and money goes to the nonprofit New York Rowing Association

Openhouse GalleryBright, skylit space in Nolita; rent it for any event that “promotes sustainability”

Queens Farm 47-acre working farm, home of the Queens County Farm Museum, which dates back to 1697 

Stone Barns Widely adored farm/restaurant in Pocantico Hills, NY - will host small weddings

Greenhouse Bed & Breakfast's Garden weddings/events space catering to green brides and grooms in the Chicagoland area (pictured above)

Catalyst Ranch Funky, unique loft space in Chicago

Sustainable Vashon Home of the Trash-Free Bash Stash in the Seattle area

Farm Kitchen 18-acre organic farm in the West Sound of Washington that doubles as a rustic-chic event space 

WANT MORE? HERE ARE SOME GREAT WEB RESOURCES

Portovert Relatively new, "the gateway to green weddings"

Offbeat Bride Great place for DIY ideas, alt ceremonies and general encouragement on transcending the norm

 Indie Bride A site for the independent-minded bride

 DIY Bride For couples who want to create a crafty, one-of-a-kind wedding

The Green Bride Guide One of the most comprehensive green wedding sources on the web

 Lastly...

Recycle Your Wedding  Buy and/or sell all wedding related items you can imagine, from dresses to decor

Glass Slipper Project Accepts used gown donations for low-income Chicago high school students dressing for prom