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 [1] Custom-made dresses from vintage fabrics, as well as bamboo and silk
Once Wed [2] Buy or sell used designer wedding dresses 
Conscious Clothing [3] One of the larger eco-bridal collections with hippie looks made with hemp silk, plus groomswear
Threadhead Creations [4]Simple, earthwise bridal gowns
Olivia Luca [5] Design your own gown out of organic [5] and natural fabrics
Deborah Lindquist [6] Eco-friendly upscale designer out of L.A. with funky, unique bridal line
Bridal Garden [7] Nonprofit bridal boutique in NYC featuring deeplydiscounted couture gowns with all proceeds going to education projectsfor kids
White Chicago [8] New, sample and once-worn gowns
Isadoras [9] Antique diamond engagement rings, estate jewelry, elegantvintage eveningwear and beautiful in-house designed wedding gowns outof Seattle
Wai Ching [10] Hand-made, artistic avant-garde dresses (pictured right)
Bridal Garden [11] Nonprofit bridal boutique in NY that benefits education
Brilliant Earth [12] San Fran-based “conflict-free” diamonds and recycled metals turned into lovely wedding jewelry
Green Karat [13] “Ecologically responsible jewelry”
Cred Jewelry [14] Sources gold and platinum from a group of Columbian mining communities that meet rigorous environmental criteria
Elizabeta Jewelry [15]“Jewelry with a conscience” - great selection of designer conflict-free engagement rings
Dawes Design [16] 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 [17] of San Francisco make your inner green goddess shine
Priti Spa NYC [18]is a lovely place to be pampered using 100% organic and eco-friendly products
ZahZoom Wedding and Parties [19] Green wedding planning out of S.F. headed by the very capable Nelle Johnston
Angelique Events [20] Green wedding planning out of L.A. by Angelica Weihs, who shares her tips at ecocopia.blogspot.com
DV Green [21] Green event planning by Danielle Venokur in New York 
Flowers
Rosenow [22] local, organic, seasonal and potted flower arrangements, as well as creative floral alternatives
Grandi Flora [23] Florist Karen Hsu uses found plants and yard clippings to green her designs (pictured right)
Wisteria Lane [24] Organic flower shop in L.A. that caters to the green-minded bride and groom
Etsy [25]Buy handmade favors, jewelry and general décor from an evergrowingnumber of indy craftsters — or just browse for DIY inspiration
Amoda Flowers [26] Organic, local and fair trade [26] florist, specializing in green weddings and events
Terra Bella Flowers [27], Local, organic and sustainably grown floral designs in Seattle
Greener Printe [28]r [29]Berkeley-based green printer, great for DIY invites
Invitesite [30] Offers earth-friendly options, orderable on the web
Paperedtogether [31]Minneapolis-based letterpress, uses tree-free paper and offsets energy uses with wind power
Twisted Limb Paperworks [32] Handmade, recycled paper invitations
Seal and Send [33] Combine your whole invitation package onto one foldable sheet
Yellow Owl Workshop [34] S.F. letterpress using non toxic inks and 100% PCR paper (pictured right)
Smock Paper [35] Elegant appearance, sustainably designed using “luxury” bamboo paper
WedShare [36] Create your own wedding website with paperless wedding invitations, e-planning and RSVPs online
Guest goodies, etc.
Eco Bags [37] Send guests home with a personalized reusable tote made from organic cotton, hemp or recycled materials
Fair Trade Federation [38] Find vendors who measure up to the organization’s high labor and environmental standards
Peace Love Earth [39] 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 [40] Rentable, L.A.’s natural gas-powered luxury automobiles
Offset your carbon creating activities with one of the following companies:
Carbonfund [41]
Brighter Planet [42]
Terrapass [43]
Co2Balance [44]
EAT, DRINK & BE MARRIED - Earthwise caterers
Food and catering
If you're picturing an all-organic bar, check out Magnanimous Wine Group [45] [46]for California Reds and VEEV acai liquor [47] for giving your signature cocktail a truly unique ingredient
Back to Earth [48] Elegant, organic, veg and vegan-friendly catering based in Berkeley
Springloaf Catering [49] Organic, local, seasonal yumminess from seasoned professionals (pictured right)
Work of Art [50] 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 [51] Delicious, organic, vegan catering and customized wedding cakes in Los Angeles
Madeleine Bistro [52] Catering of organic, vegan cuisine, on-site or off
Naturally Delicious [53] Boutique-style caterer in Brooklyn
City Provisions Catering & Events [54] Community-oriented caterer dedicated to strong green business practices
Greg Christian Catering and Events [55] Upscale events caterer with focus on organic and local eats from Chicago
The Chicago Diner [56] Beloved vegan diner that caters events from 6 to 600
Herban Feast [57] Local, organic, affordable catering in Seattle
Vegan Divine [58] Gourmet vegan gifts and gift baskets
Picnick [59] Funky new “sustainable food kiosk” in Battery Park; they cater
Lucid Food [60]Local, organic and committed to sustainability [60], these New York caterers compost [60] 100% of their organic waste and donate 5% of proceeds to responsible food non-profits
Seedling Organic Catering [61] Specializes in vegan and macrobiotic menus
Ravishing Radish [62] Seattle catering offers local, seasonal and festive menus
Monterey Bay Aquarium [63] Find the lowest-impact fish to serve
Creative cakes
Peace, Love and Cupcakes [64] Divine Bay Area vegan dessert catering and bright green business practices (pictured right)
Nana Pearls [65] in New York makes beautiful bridal cakes both old-fashioned and contemporary which can be vegan and organic
Cake Obsessions [66] Customized modern eco-dream cakes in New York
Felicite [68]Organizes your list on one site, so you can register at all the small mom and pops you love
Gaiam [69] Eco-friendly basics, from linens to composting units
Viva Terra [70] “Eco living with style” (pictured right)
Branch Home [71] 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 [72] 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 [73] Encourage your loved ones to make a donation gift to a charity that represents your values
VISIONARY VENUES
[74]
The Peter J Sharp Boathouse at S [75]windler Cove Pa [76]rk [77] NYC’s first “community boathouse” offers a unique event space and money goes to the nonprofit New York Rowing Association
Openhouse Gallery [78]Bright, skylit space in Nolita; rent it for any event that “promotes sustainability”
Queens Farm [79] 47-acre working farm, home of the Queens County Farm Museum, which dates back to 1697
Stone Barns [80] Widely adored farm/restaurant in Pocantico Hills, NY - will host small weddings
Greenhouse Bed & Breakfast [81]'s Garden weddings/events space catering to green brides and grooms in the Chicagoland area (pictured above)
Catalyst Ranch [82] Funky, unique loft space in Chicago
Sustainable Vashon [83] Home of the Trash-Free Bash Stash in the Seattle area
Farm Kitchen [84] 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 [85]Relatively new, "the gateway to green weddings"
Offbeat Bride [86]Great place for DIY ideas, alt ceremonies and general encouragement on transcending the norm
Indie Bride [87] A site for the independent-minded bride
DIY Bride [88] For couples who want to create a crafty, one-of-a-kind wedding
The Green Bride Guide [89]One of the most comprehensive green wedding sources on the web
Lastly...
Recycle Your Wedding [90] Buy and/or sell all wedding related items you can imagine, from dresses to decor
Glass Slipper Project [91]Accepts used gown donations for low-income Chicago high school students dressing for prom