A recent survey finds that more than 80 per cent of men and women would prefer an eco-friendly wedding
A recent survey finds that more than 80 per cent of men and women would prefer an eco-friendly wedding. Are Indians really decreasing their carbon footprint at shaadis? Plus, tips on how to make your wedding an occasion for not just the gods, but the planet too, to smile
Is the era of the ten-page long wedding invite, air-conditioned tents, the elaborate buffet, and the sensational firework display over? It could be, if the results of a recent survey done by matrimonial website Shaadi.com are any indication. 
According to the survey, 82% of the 2,500 people surveyed said they would opt for an eco-friendly wedding. The survey polled the preferences of men and women aged between 21 and 35 years.u00a0
Candice Pereira of Marry Me, a wedding planning company says, "Eco-friendly weddings have not yet caught on here, though they are a trend abroad. We have only organised three eco-friendly weddings in the past."
However, that is not to say that weddings are completely devoid of a social conscience. "We have had couples support causes other than the environment. Sometimes, they opt to have donations made to a favourite charity, instead."
Dhaval Chandarana of wedding planning services, Percept D'Mark, says that while they haven't received any requests for an eco-friendly wedding, couples can opt for potted plants, instead of flowers, which guests can take back as keepsakes. Potted herbs are another option.
"Flowers which have been organically grown carry an eco-friendly tag, abroad, though that's not yet available here. They can also use organic food, which increases the budget, but only marginally," says Dhaval, adding, "Couples can also opt for castor oil lamps instead of lights. Vineyards can be good venues as several of them are organic."
Another way to be eco-friendly is for couples to opt for e-invites or use invites made from handmade paper.
Invites can also be designed in such a way that envelopes are not a necessity. Candice advises opting for lawns or gardens instead of the traditional ballroom, and to have a daytime wedding to avoid the use of lights.
Of Candice's clients who have opted for a 'green' wedding, most are NRIs. She is quick to challenge the notion of 'green' weddings being more expensive. "It's not all about the money as you can actually save money depending on your choices. But in the rush to ensure that everyone has a good time and that guests are given the royal treatment, it doesn't occur to them that having a 'green' wedding can be an option."
"We have booked a lawn for our wedding in November, so that we can avoid air-conditioning. We plan to print the invites on elephant poo paper and to send them with a plant," says 26-year-old bride-to-be Meghna Shrivastav. Green seems to be catching on!
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