Last Monday, I told you about the first time I heard about Green Weddings. I also gave you the first three tips for having your green wedding. Here are the rest of the tips!

Fourth, the Gown: Not only do you want to be eco-friendly here but you want to think of your fellow man-kind. Do not purchase a gown that has been made in a sweat factory. Also, avoid a gown with fabrics that are petroleum based. Instead, choose natural fabrics (100% silk or organically grown cotton) and hemp linen (but not the old gunny sack). This also applies to bridesmaids and mothers' dresses

Recycle -Use your mother's wedding gown. A few alterations and modifications and you have your own personal style that is one-of-a-kind. Or, find a vintage dress in specialty stores or on E-bay.

Fifth, Favors: Instead of a bridal couple giving favors to their guests, they can make donations to a special charity in their honor. My niece and her husband did that after the horrible tsunami in Japan. I greatly appreciated that and so will your guests!

Sixth, Flowers: Many brides are choosing floral designers that use local, organically grown, and seasonal flowers. Some brides even repurpose their flowers by using the ceremony flowers for the reception. This way you need fewer flowers and you make the flowers go further. This also helps your budget. A nice gesture after the wedding, and again, sharing, is to donate the floral arrangements to nursing homes, hospice centers or hospitals. Check and see if this is allowed first. Now others can enjoy your gorgeous flowers just as much as you and your guests and who knows whose day you've brightened.

Seventh, The honeymoon: it doesn't stop at the wedding. Staying close to home avoids those gas guzzling airplanes. We're so blessed here in Jackson that we have some many great honeymoon destinations within a short driving distance.

If you do travel, consider a green hotel. These are environmentally friendly properties with programs that save water, save energy and reduce solid waste while saving you money.

Consider ecotourism. This is socially responsible travel that focuses on conserving the environment and improving the well being of local people.

More ways to go Green:

1. If you are having candles, use soy or beeswax candles which are better than crude oil based paraffin candles.
2. For your wedding ring, look at vintage or antique jewelry. Use a family heirloom ring or place a used diamond into a new setting.
3. For new jewelry, use recycled gold or fair trade silver and only buy conflict free diamonds.
4. If you want to give an eco-friendly wedding favor to your guests, give a tree sapling. They can take this home and plant it and watch it grow much like your marriage.
5. For your invitations, use homemade paper with flower seeds embedded. Your guests can plant the invitations after the wedding - the ultimate in recycling - and enjoy the lovely flowers later.

Not only does a Green Wedding reduce the impact on the environment, it tells wedding guests about a couple's love of the Earth and its future. Hopefully, this will inspire the guests to make smart choices as well.

With just a little creativity, thought and research, any earth-loving couple can have a wedding that reflects their passion for each other and our planet.

Want more tips? Check out www.premierbridems.com.