If you haven’t heard of a “green” wedding yet, it’s time to catch up with the rest of us. In an overpopulated, polluted world, everyone is starting to put forth an effort to build a more sustainable place to live. From the food we eat to the cars we drive, there are so many ways we can help out! For example, you can purchase a gently used gown or learn to dance for your wedding, two things that can be recycled for future use. Let us further explain how you can help the planet while planning the perfect wedding.

With save-the-dates, invitations, RSVPs, programs, and so much more, there is a lot of paper waste that can go into a wedding. Facebook isn’t exactly the classiest route to take when inviting your guests, so quite a few couples are opting for a wedding website. Your website can handle everything from invites and RSVPs to your registry. You can even upload ceremony and reception photos (with your photographer’s consent, of course) after the fact. Your own customized website can really create a one-stop-shop for all your guests’ wedding needs. If you’re still dying to send out paper goods, go for recycled options. That way you can still have keepsakes while leaving a little less of a footprint.

Wedding dresses have a tendency to be worn once, then put away into a closet for years to come. There are plenty of options when it comes to a more sustainable dress. Maybe you have an old dress in the family that can be altered to fit your frame and style. Buy vintage. There are also plenty of new designers out there who are trying to save the world one dress at a time with friendlier materials and practices. If all else fails, donate your gown after your big day. If you loved it, someone else will, too.

Can you think of a better hobby for a young couple than learning to dance? With social dance lessons in popular and useful styles from Swing to Salsa to Country Western dancing, you will be investing in not only your first dance at your wedding, but a skill that you can use many times over throughout the years. Think of all of the upcoming weddings, holiday and corporate functions, date nights, times out with friends and so on, that knowing how to partner dance will come in handy! With social ballroom dance lessons, you will be prepared for any special event or social gathering that comes your way. Plus, you can always keep that spark alive with dancing as a romantic hobby that you can use together for years to come. Just put on your favorite tune and re-connect with your sweetheart!

If you happen to live in the Phoenix valley in Arizona, come visit us at Dance FX Studios in Mesa. We work with brides and grooms daily on bringing their vision of the perfect first dance to life. We also have great recommendations on creating your ideal wedding with vendor suggestions and tips on everything you will need to shine on your big day. And, for just $20, you can have your own Wedding Dance Consultation to get the ball rolling for your wedding dance.

Recycle, reuse and reduce your expenses on your wedding day and make it THE event in your life that you can treasure forever while still being mindful of the planet.