Eco Chic

Photo courtesy Jacquelyn Poussot Photography

Going green doesn't have to mean fake flowers and an email invite to your wedding. "You can go green and it can be chic," says Adrianne Mellen Ramstack of Adrianne Elizabeth LLC. Here are five ways the German Village wedding planner suggests bringing little classy care for the Earth into a day full of love:

1. Seeded Paper: "It has this beautiful texture and comes in a ton of colors," she says. Use it for your save-the-dates, printing your wedding info on one side and a notice to plant on the other. Choose from wildflower seeds, veggies or herbs.

2. Flowers: Consider a bouquet made of real silk flowers (real silk, harkens Ramstack, which is nothing like the faux silk at the craft store). Or turn to artists like the Ritzy Rose, who can craft a bouquet out of vintage brooches. Or, make flowers part of the favor. Place flowers in small to-go boxes for guests to take at the end of the night. Alternatively, consider donating flowers to a hospital.

3. Dress: Look to resale shops, such as Luxe Redux in Worthington, which sells once-worn, new and sample designer dresses at a discount price. "They're already made, and nobody is going to know the difference-especially with bridesmaid dresses," Ramstack says.

4. Food: Hire a conscious caterer-one that sources local foods when they can and doesn't use plastic wares. "Real china is always going to be better for the Earth than plastic," Ramstack says.

5. Favors: "Instead of doing some sort of favor that may or may not make sense, think about how you can make your favor good for the Earth or community," she says. Make a donation to an arboretum or animal shelter. Plant a tree. Or give a plant that guests can take home and add to their garden. –Beth Stallings