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Say “i do” to a greener Planet<br />
ThE gifTS<br />
Few couples these days need a<br />
soup tureen, but they probably could<br />
use an energy-efficient appliance.<br />
Other eco-friendly gift ideas include<br />
outdoor gear, park or museum passes,<br />
organic gardening supplies, sustainably<br />
produced linens or donations to a<br />
good cause.<br />
When it comes to favours for the<br />
guests and gifts for attendants, choose<br />
something that is both consumable and<br />
light on the planet. Think gourmet<br />
organic chocolate, seed packets, natural<br />
soaps, beeswax candles or bottles of<br />
organic wine.<br />
ThE commuNiTy<br />
When Dion got married, she picked<br />
flowers from her grandmother’s garden,<br />
had her guests bring potluck, organized<br />
a car pool to Bowen Island and hired<br />
local artists and musicians to provide<br />
entertainment. It all added to the<br />
joy of the occasion. “It’s not just about<br />
a wedding,” she insists. “It’s about<br />
celebrating truly with your friends<br />
and family. It is about choosing the<br />
people in your community to be part<br />
of your celebration.”<br />
For more inFormation<br />
ThE BEvviES<br />
Carry your green theme through to the<br />
toasts by selecting organic, sustainable<br />
or biodynamic wine, beer and spirits<br />
for your reception. There are many<br />
organic wine, beer and spirits producers<br />
worldwide and standards can vary from<br />
country tow country. If you can’t find<br />
an organically-grown wine to suit your<br />
taste, stay local and choose a <strong>BC</strong> wine.<br />
Another option is to choose a wine or<br />
spirit that offers an environmental bonus<br />
such as part-proceeds to wildlife care. To<br />
make the choice less daunting, start with<br />
the list offered here or ask the advice of<br />
a WSET-educated Product Consultant<br />
at your local Signature <strong>BC</strong> <strong>Liquor</strong> Store.<br />
Not only will these experts know what’s<br />
organic and what’s not, they can help you<br />
plan all aspects of your wedding wine.<br />
Today's green wedding can be<br />
as elegant and sophisticated – or as<br />
homespun and earthy – as a couple<br />
chooses it to be and still have it<br />
align with their values. “You don’t<br />
have to give up anything to have a<br />
green wedding,” Dion says. "You can<br />
have your organic wedding cake and<br />
eat it too."<br />
The Grassroots Wedding Fair, organized by Vancouver photographer Shona<br />
Dion, is held in February, but the website, with its list of green vendors, is<br />
available year round. (www.thegrassrootsweddingfair.com) The Queen of<br />
Green, Lindsay Coulter, offers tips on living (and marrying) sustainably in<br />
her blog for the David Suzuki Foundation (www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/<br />
queen-of-green)<br />
tinHorn CrEEK<br />
CHardonnay<br />
Bc vQA $16.99 530691<br />
This refreshingly complex<br />
table wine from carbonneutral<br />
Tinhorn creek winery<br />
in Bc’s okanagan has a lightly<br />
floral aroma, with flavours of<br />
apples, peaches, vanilla and a<br />
satisfying nuttiness.<br />
NElSoN BrEWiNg Wild<br />
hoNEy orgANic AlE<br />
canada $10.99 864991<br />
(6 x 355 ml)<br />
A light, malty, organic, golden<br />
ale from the kootenays,<br />
Nelson Brewing Wild honey<br />
organic has a creamy texture,<br />
bready flavour and hints of<br />
sweet and citrus notes. it’s a<br />
food-friendly crowd pleaser.<br />
TASTE103
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