Green weddings aren't a trend anymore, they are going mainstream, with even the most expensive weddings incorporating green elements these days.

The Rings

Consider wedding rings that are antique instead of choosing new gold or diamond rings. Both diamond and gold mining is harmful to the environment.

Wedding Dress

Consider purchasing a used wedding dress or use a family heirloom wedding dress. If you're going to buy a new wedding dress, buy one that uses organic fabrics, if at all possible.

Wedding Gifts

Register for your wedding gifts at an environmentally friendly store or choose gifts that are environmentally friendly, whenever possible. Better yet, skip all the gifts and have your guests donate to your favorite environmental charity in your name. Still better than that, consider having your guests purchase carbon offset credits, to minimize your wedding's impact on the environment. Trees are a nice gift as well. For just $40, about 400 - 500 tree seedlings can be planted somewhere in the world where reforestation is needed. With each guest contributing just $40, this can add up to tens of thousands of trees being planted, a nice legacy from your wedding.

Avoid Throwing Rice

Instead of throwing rice, have your guests throw flower petals or bird seed. Rice is harmful to birds and other animals if they should consume it. If you must throw rice, be sure to sweep or vacuum all of it up after the rice throwing takes place.

Shop Local Vendors

Try to patronize your local wedding vendors, this minimizes the impact of your wedding by reducing the use of fuel for shipping and for travel. From the food to the decorations to the flowers, choosing locally produced products is a smart idea. When choosing a flower vendor, choose organic, in season flowers whenever possible.

Wedding Favors

As part of your green theme, choose wedding favors that are appropriate. Consider the many organic and fair trade options, including organic chocolates, organic product gift certificates, fair trade coffees and teas, among many other options. Also consider handcrafted items as wedding favors. Why not be crafty and create your own unique and memorable wedding favors with recycled objects and trinkets that have been painted or decorated.

The Wedding Cake

Your wedding cake can be organic too. Many bakers will offer an option to use organic ingredients if they are available. Organic flour, organic chocolate, organic sugar, organic eggs, these products are all readily available at most stores or natural foods stores.

The Invitations

Even your invitations can be eco-friendly. Choose invitations that have been printed on recycled papers, and with natural inks like soy based inks.