Why going green with your wedding can save you dough

PHOENIX - Looking for more ways to save on a wedding? How about going green?

Eco-friendly weddings are becoming the new trend, and it doesn't have to be hard to help out the environment and save yourself some cash at the same time.

Tishin Donkersely, editor-in-chief of Green Living AZ magazine, shares some simple substitutions and eco-conscious decisions that can help the environment, and ultimately put some green back into a couple's wallet.

Invitations

Did you know that the amount of paper used on invitations in the U.S. per year could cover the entire island of Manhattan?

The Internet allows for you to do invitations online, but couples who are headstrong about using paper can use eco-friendly invitations. These invitations are made with post-consumer waste paper and can really help in cutting costs.

Nearly every wedding is going to have a photographer to cherish those memories forever, and when it comes to taking picture, digital is the way to go. Not only will you save on paper and film this way but receiving and send out your photos can be done online.

Certain photographers also specialize in outdoor weddings and will also print their photos on eco-friendly paper.

Décor

Picking a reception site can be incredibly costly. In fact, the average cost for a reception site is $2,500. Take the time to consider looking at an outdoor site, private garden, backyard, conservation trust land or local farm.

When it comes to table décor, there's nothing like having a beautiful table setting to set the ambiance. However, renting a bunch of extra tables can be incredibly taxing on the wallet.

Creating simple decorations and finding items from your local Goodwill store or Craigslist can result in a huge savings.

Also, using locally grown flowers will also help decrease the cost. More than half of the flowers in the country are imported and contain pesticides, so by using local you'll have a beautiful organic boutique.

Food

The food is easily one of the most complicated parts of the wedding. Concentrating on food can be the number one thing couples can do in saving money. When talking with the caterer, discuss using locally grown and in-season food. This will save on costs of importing out of season food.

Also, don't feel the need to stuff all your guests. Serving food that can satisfy the appetite and not spending extra on fillers can also go a long way in saving money. Having a wedding earlier in the day will also save money as people eat light and drink less.

Dessert

The cake is also a big decision. With more and more people trying to eat healthier it might not be a bad idea to have some options.

Cupcakes are becoming more and more popular and will allow you to save on money and decrease the amount of waste. As a bonus with these you can choose a variety of flavors and dietary options that can reach out to all your guests. If a cake is a must-have, do both -- just opt for a smaller, 100 percent natural cake.

For more information on green weddings, pick up a copy of Green Living AZ at any AJ's, Sprouts or Sunflower Market across the Valley.