Smart Eco Place Settings

Give your guests something to talk about during dinner. Instead of purchasing new, traditional chargers or placemats, rummage through your bookshelves for some décor inspiration. Gently tear out pages from an old book (or a dictionary, as pictured below) and place the pages beneath plates for a “smart” (pun fully intended), vintage feel. After a few glasses of wine, guests are certain to share some laughs while reading their favorite passages to each other.

Photo: Green Wedding Shoes

Essence of Vali

I first became interested in aromatherapy when I was about 13, thanks to my very cool, very “in the know” aunt. Once I realized the deeply healing affects that plant essences could have on my body and my mind, I was hooked. Since party planning, specifically wedding planning, can include so much stress, I’ve been thinking for a while now that aromatherapy products might be a nice gesture to offer a hostess or a group of bridesmaids.

About a month ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Valerie Bennis, the founder of Essence of Vali, while browsing at the NYC Go Green Expo. Essence of Vali specializes in beautifully packaged aromatherapy products – everything from bath oils to body mists – that leave skin soft and have soothing, subtle scents. Essence of Vali products are all-natural and are made in the U.S.A, which means you can give them entirely guilt-free. Looking for a thoughtful, yet affordable, going-away gift for a couple of honeymooners? Check out the sleep travel set, which comes packaged in a pretty organza pouch. In search of the perfect sexy something to compliment your bridal shower gift? Try the sensual passion-scented massage oil and body mist. I especially like the company’s “Sleep” line; I’ve been dabbing the concentrated sleep-scented oil on my pillowcases for several weeks now and have enjoyed many nights of peaceful, uninterrupted rest. For more about their products, please visit Essence of Vali.

Photos: Essence of Vali

Reuse: Buttons

For a colorful, vintage-inspired accent, gather a collection of loose buttons in a simple vase or mason jar. Arrange a small cluster of button vases in the center of a casual cocktail table or scatter several across a buffet.

Modern Simplicity

Reduce the amount of potential waste in your next centerpiece by sticking with a clean but modern design. Place a single, colorful stem into a translucent glass vase and fully submerge with water. The water will slightly magnify the flower, transforming something simple into something decidedly stylish.

Photo: Rachel Ray

Fruit Favors

Give your guests something sweet at your next get together. Instead of a candy bar, arrange individual bags of organic cherries or any other variety of local and/or organic seasonal fruit for guests to pick up and enjoy on their way out of the party. They’ll be grateful for a healthy, yet sweet, snack.

Photo: Martha Stewart

Reuse: Recycled Sweaters

While spring-cleaning this season, forgo the temptation to ditch all of last season’s sweaters. Instead, consider giving new life to gently worn sweaters by repurposing them as fashionable décor. Dress up plain bowls by pulling a sweater sleeve over each bowl; line up the cuff with the top of the bowl and secure with some hot glue. Have some old vases or jars hidden in the closet? Simply slip a sweater sleeve over the vase, stretch the fabric so it is long enough to cover the full length of the vase and hot glue into place.

Photos: Country Living

Button Cards

Dress up a set of simple cloth napkins with pretty button cards. The cards, which can be found at secondhand shops, garage sales, or, as in the case of my family, nearly any drawer in my grandmother’s home, are the perfect size to serve as feminine, vintage-inspired napkin “rings.” Simply punch holes on either side of the card, lace some ribbon or twine through each hole and loosely tie on the underside of each napkin.

Photo: Country Living

Etsy Roundup: Favors

If you’re in search of some fun, off-the-beaten-path favor ideas, be sure to check out the many options available on Etsy. Here is a collection of some of our recent favorites. All of the products featured below are budget-friendly ($20 or less) and would make adorable, eco-friendly favors for nearly any spring celebration.

Photos: Etsy

Share your love with your guests with this adorable lovebirds tote, made of 100% recycled cotton. Vendor: The Craft Pantry, $20/each

Encourage your guests to reduce their waste by offering them this pretty reusable sandwich bag. Vendor: WasteNotSaks, $7.50/each

Give the gift of good fortune at your next party! Made from recycled, non-toxic crayons, these upcycled fortune cookie crayons are fun for kids of all ages. Vendor: Chase Dreams, $8.50/set of 12

Bring your guests back to their middle school days with one of these made in the USA paper fortunetellers. Vendor: Sycamore Street Press, $8.00/each

Show your love of recycling at your next get-together with this simply chic canvas tote. Vendor: RC Tees, $12.00/each

Encourage random acts of gardening at your soiree with these seed bombs, which come prettily packaged in muslin bags. Vendor: Visual Lingual, $7.00/each

This fragrant handmade soap not only smells just like a sweet glass of freshly squeezed juice, but has a thinly sliced piece of dried orange in its center. Vendor: Cota Products, $6.00/each

Farm Inspired Favors

This spring and summer, look to your local farmers’ market for favor inspiration. Although the many fruits, vegetables and other artisanal food products will add a burst of color to any centerpiece, consider the packaging as well. Small pint boxes, commonly used to store berries and tomatoes, are the perfect size to carry a miniature collection of favors for your guests. The bright colors of the reused boxes, as well as their instant association with the warm weather seasons, will give any table a fresh, summer look.

Photos: Elizabeth Anne Design

Venue Alternatives

Reception halls, in general, are not exactly known for being green. Once each party is complete, the amount of electricity used for lighting such a large space and providing music and AC, as well as the amount of food that often ends up in a garbage bin and the numerous bottles that find their fate mixed in with the common trash adds up to be quite a massive pile of often unnecessary waste. However, where else is a hostess to turn when looking for a space to throw the party of the year?

There are many creative and eco-friendly venue options, especially during the spring and summer months. Consider a local farm, park or vineyard when shopping around for locales for your next special event. Or, as the couple seen in the pictures below did, choose to host a casual party at a local greenhouse. The space will provide the perfect scenic backdrop for photographs and you can rest easily knowing that your party helped to support local agriculture.

Photos: Project Wedding