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Say “i do” to a greener Planet
ThE drESS
Every bride has a vision of her dream
gown, and chances are it’s not handwoven,
fair trade hemp. However, there
are plenty of options that don’t involve
a giant meringue of synthetic fibres.
You can pick up a pre-loved gown at
a bridal swap or through the website
Smart Bride Boutique. (www.
smartbrideboutique.com) Or choose a
gorgeous gown from a vintage shop,
which is also a great place for the groom
to find a stylish retro suit or tux.
Even better, have your gown and
bridesmaids’ frocks made by a local
designer who uses organic, ethically
sourced fabrics, such as Vancouver’s Pure
Magnolia or Caroline Calvert.
ThE vENuE
More and more venues are going green,
such as Summerhill Pyramid Winery
in Kelowna, which boasts 80 acres of
certified organic vineyard. “You get
a green wedding here,” says Emily
Vanderschee, the winery’s director of
catering and events. “That’s all we do.”
Even if you can’t find a 100 percent
organic venue like this, you can still
choose one that is trying to be more
environmentally sensitive by recycling,
using efficient energy sources and serving
sustainable menu items.
In addition, hold your ceremony and
reception in the same place, so you’re
not wasting energy driving back and
forth. And consider how you’re going
to get your guests to the venue in the
first place. If they’re flying in from out
of town, you can purchase carbon offsets
102 www.bcliquorstores.com
to compensate for the fuel their flights
consume. “It’s a way to support getting
more green energy,” Coulter says. “It’s
not a permission to pollute.”
And keep those offsets in mind for
the honeymoon too.
ThE mENu
It can be challenging to get sustainable
food in large enough quantities for events
like weddings. “Organic suppliers would
laugh when we told them how much
we needed,” says Vanderschee, noting
that it took Summerhill years to create a
completely organic catering menu. “It’s
a cost issue and it’s a supply issue.” But
that is changing rapidly, with even big
food suppliers offering green options.
If you can’t manage an all-organic
menu, look for sustainable options such as
Ocean Wise, free range or run, local and
seasonal foods, as well as organic wine,
beer and spirits from local producers. Not
only will you get a product that’s better for
the planet, it will likely taste better too.
ThE floWErS
Flowers are pretty, but the chemicals
often used to grow them aren’t. Neither
is the fuel it takes to import them. There
are florists that sell locally grown flowers.
From them you can choose blooms that
are in season and, if possible, organically
grown. Or skip the cut flowers altogether
and use potted plants or tree branches
for decor and bouquets. Olla Urban
Flower Project on the edge of Gastown
in Vancouver is one such florist, offering
wedding flower arrangement options that
are live, local or ethically grown. (www.
ollaflowers.com)
doMainE jEan
BouSquEt organiC
MalBEC
Argentina $15.99 807263
This velvety organic
wine from Argentina’s
mendoza region is
bursting with lush dark
fruit, including black
plum, blackberry and
dark cherry fruits. A
peppery note keeps it
lively on the palate.
SuMMErHill CipES
vintagE Brut
Bc vQA $28.95 97295
This brut from the
kelowna-based Summerhill
Pyramid Winery is crisp
and fresh with green apple
notes and just a hint of
toast. Summerhill wines
are aged in a custom built
onsite pyramind.
BanroCK Station
SparKling CHardonnay
Australia $13.99 534974
Australia’s favourite big-value
bubble is fresh and fruity,
with buttery notes of apple
and vanilla. A portion from
the sale of each bottle goes
to protect wetlands around
the world.