Since invitations are your guests' first clue as to the kind of event you're planning, set the expectation for a green wedding. Here’s how to use real invitations and still be eco-friendly:

Be mindful as you choose what kind of papers the invitations are printed on. There are endless options, including recycled, tree-free and sustainably-sourced papers that are available in every color and texture. Ask your vendor for suggestions. Erickson Design uses high-quality recycled, reclaimed and cotton papers.

Your guests can plant them after your wedding (or when it’s expired it’s life on the fridge door), and perhaps think of you when they see that plant in bloom every season. 🌸

Like with all other areas, steer clear of plastic-coated or metallic papers that are not easy to recycle. And always avoid those little liners as these are entirely unnecessary.

Ask your printer about what kind of ink will be used to print the invites. Of course, vegetable and soy-based inks are preferable to petroleum based ones.

Paper scraps are a resource in themselves and can be saved for other uses, reused for jotting notes or for art. Erickson Design donates pretty scraps to Chicago Public Schools art programs!

Online wedding invitations aren’t necessarily tacky, especially as the world feels the impact of global warming. Consider online save the dates and invites to wedding and/or bridal shower and direct guests to your wedding website to RSVP for these wedding events. (This is also a great way to gather guests’ email addresses!)

Does your mother insist on sending paper invites?! Reduce the number of pieces in your invitation including a simplified card and direct everyone to your wedding website for up-to-date information on when & what is happening during your wedding weekend! You can include rehearsal dinner, hotel reservation info, maps, post-wedding brunch, gift registry any other information on your wedding website. This is especially helpful for out of town guests!

Consider posting a schedule of events by the entrance and avoid programs altogether. Put that money you saved toward your bar package! But if you do want to have programs, don’t feel the need to print one per person. Many guests will take one program per couple.

While we’re on the topic of paper.. With certain styles of dinner service you may not even need escort cards, eliminating another need for a paper item. Consider having maybe 10 or so cards listing the appetizers being passed along with the dinner menu and place these on highboy tables during cocktail hour. Now you’ve informed your guests with a fraction of the paper!