Finding Local Vendors

Question:
Hi Kate,
I am having trouble finding environmentally friendly vendors in my area for apparel, invitations, favors, etc. It seems green weddings are a pretty big deal on the west coast, and in larger cities, but if I were to ship those things here, the energy used in their arrival would pretty much defeat the purpose. Are you aware of anyone who can help me within fifty or so miles of XXXX, Ohio? I feel kind of stuck here... Thanks for your time.

Answer:
You bring up a problem that a lot of couples and wedding planners face. While it is harder to find green vendors and products outside major metropolitan areas it is not impossible. Here is what I recommend:

1. Flowers - You can often find organic farms and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) projects that grow organic or pesticide-free flowers in your region at Local Harvest. The next best option is buy certified organic blooms from a company listed on the Veriflora website. Although they will have to be shipped to you, which requires additional fuel as you note, there is an argument to be made that organic flowers shipped from California do less environmental damage than flowers that are conventionally grown locally (a process that requires petroleum based fertilizers and toxic pesticides and herbicides = all inputs that have to be transported to the farm and pollute the local environment).

2. Food - Local Harvest is a good way to find local organic ingredients if you plan to cook or bake yourself. You can find a list of green restaurants by state on The Green Restaurant Association Website. For green hotels and other venues try the Green Hotel Association website.

3. Clothing + Invitations. These items are a bit trickier. I have begun to list green clothing designers and wedding invitation companies in the interactive look book. You can always buy natural fabric (organic cotton, hemp, tencel) from a local fabric store and ask a local designer to create something. You can also find wonderful used dresses at thrift stores, consignment shops and online (see eBay for example). For invitations you can recycle paper you have laying around your house, make your own paper or go virtual.

4. Favors - Favors are a great place to include local delicacies. Maple syrup from a local farm, hot sauces, handmade soaps - almost anything can be tuned into a favor if presented properly. Work with local artisans and farms in your area to come up with something unique. If you are worried about shipping - but want to use something from out-of-state - consider choosing something light weight that also reduces green house gases (see the seed or tree favors page for examples).

5. More ideas - I would also recommend looking at what eco-conscious vendors are listed in your area in the Co-op America's Green Pages. Portovert's wedding guide can also be helpful (although they do not have anything for Ohio yet). It is also worth Googling terms like "green weddings Ohio" - which led me to the article Great Ideas for a Green Wedding Ohio that lists some additional green businesses.

Hope this helps!