Eco-Friendly Ways to Light Up Your Wedding

Guest blogger: Kate Harrison, creator of greenbrideguide.com.
After planning her own green wedding in 2007, Kate wrote 
the best-selling green wedding book, The Green Bride Guide: How to Plan an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget (Sourcebooks, 2008). In 2009, she founded greenbrideguide.com to help couples use their weddings to promote social and environmental change while supporting the local green economy. Kate has a JD in Environmental Law and a Master's from Yale in Environmental Policy.

Research shows that lighting affects mood, making it an essential component for setting the ambience of your wedding.

At a daytime ceremony, additional light is optional. Look carefully at the natural light at your ceremony and reception sites in advance, at the same time of day as your wedding, and have a backup plan if the clouds intervene.

wedding reption lighting

Late afternoon and evening weddings — or tented weddings — can be illuminated in many different ways. If the facility offers overhead lighting, make sure it uses a dimmer if you want to add any of the following items.

These eco-friendly lighting options can also save you money:

Tried & Tested: Travel Apps

Stressed out about planning the perfect honeymoon? Whether you're going across the country or around the world, these travel apps will help you stay organized and ensure that you have an unforgettable trip!

1. OpenTable
This app offers a quick and easy way to find top-notch restaurants in your city — there are thousands to choose from worldwide — and make a reservation. Narrow down choices by neighborhood, cuisine, and budget. Whether you're craving a quick gelato snack in Florence or would like to splurge on a five-course meal in Hawaii, OpenTable has got you covered. Each selection features the restaurant's menu, customer reviews, and a map of where it's located. 

Tip: Once you choose where you'd like to eat, sign up for an account to earn points towards discounted dining.

Cost: Free.

Rating: 10 out of 10. We love that OpenTable saves couples precious time on their honeymoon by determining which restaurants are too busy for last-minute reservations. (Of course, it goes without saying that every eatery you search for might not be listed in this app.) OpenTable can be used long after the honeymoon is over. 

open table results    restaurant results

April 1st

Photo Credit: Kate Webber Photography

Tip of the Day: Looking forward to specific activities and excursions during your honeymoon? Book your favorites—like a morning catamaran ride, a couples massage, or a private dinner on the beach—for earlier in your stay. This gives you a cushion of time to reschedule in case anything goes wrong (e.g. the weather isn't great or you get a bad sunburn).

► Find more great travel tips in our all-new section!

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