Throw a Green Engagement Party

If you are planning on throwing an engagement party, why not make it a green engagement party? With the economy in a downturn people are more focused on reusing, recycling and going green. I know that when I throw a party there can be so much waste. I want to share with you how you can have a fabulous engagement party and go green too!

With many folks being on the internet these days, you can skip the paper invitations and create a virtual invitation. Using a virtual invitation site, you can create beautiful customized invitations for free and skip sending out all of that paper that will just get thrown out. You can even add directions and other important information to your virtual invitation. My favorite virtual invitation site is Evite. You can access it here: http://www.evite.com/

Many times when I throw a party, I love to use paper plates and paper products because of their ease. The greenest thing to do would be to use real dishes instead. You could also opt for cloth napkins and linen tablecloths. You can borrow what you need from friends if you don't own those things. If you choose to go the paper route, go with these product made by Preserve. They are eco friendly and you can purchase them here: http://www.recycline.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=33

If you are looking for natural centerpieces and place cards, there are many green ways to do this! You can use fresh flowers, or pretty clippings from bushes and trees. Simply arrange them in vases and place them in water. For place card ideas, you could write the guests names on leaves you collected outside or paint their names on rocks.

When it comes to choosing foods for your party, avoid buying individually packaged foods. Buy your food in bulk to cut down on waste. Consider avoiding cans of soda and bottled water. You can fill a pitcher with ice water instead or brew some homemade iced tea. If you are going with a catering service, ask them what they can do to help you achieve your green mission. They may even have some reusable containers.

To decorate the party space for the party, repurpose what you have. Create a collage of old photos of the couple or place a grouping of photos in a photo frame. You can use tickets and mementos from trips you took together, or maybe get out the college memorabilia if you met at college.

If you want to make a fun lei for your guests to wear, don't by those plastic ones from the party store. You can make your own using recycled newspaper. There are complete instructions here: http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/2008/11/newpaper-leis.html

When I throw a party, I love to give my guests a little favor to take home with them. A lovely idea would be to purchase some seed packets for herbs. You could tie a little note of them and send them home with your guests. It could encourage them to grown their own produce.

Lastly, don't forget to go green when you are cleaning up after your party. Have the recycling bins available. I often see people toss bottles and plastic into a regular trash can at parties. Make it easy for your guests to do the right thing.

I hope these tips help you plan a green engagement party. Celebrate your love and save the environment too!