In Stephanie's bouquet, our florist framed the beautiful flowers with banana leaves
From flowers to gift bags, here are some ideas to keep your island wedding green!
Let’s face it, 99% of all wedding flowers used in St. Thomas and St. John are flown in from Europe, South America, California or Hawaii. And yes, that includes orchids! Unless these flowers come from organic farms they are usually grown with pesticides that pollute the soil, the water, and can cause damage to fish and other wildlife . Why not incorporate some local flora into your decor to keep it green? Bougainvillea, Ixora, Heliconia, Red Ginger or Palm & Banana leaves are great for centerpieces or hand held bouquets. Hibiscus and fragrant Frangipani make beautiful hair flowers. Organic herbs like Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, or Lemon Grass grown by local farmers can be used for boutonnieres or as part of your bouquet. Rent plants to use as reception centerpieces or ceremony decor. At the end of your reception, donate your flowers and purchased plants to a retirement home or to charity. Two of my favorites … the Queen Louise Home for the elderly and Grow VI (Virgin Islands) School Gardens, a charitable program that teaches young children about gardening and healthy eating.
You say “gift basket” and I say “gift bag.” One item that gets thrown out after the goodies are gone is the gift basket. Do you really expect your guests to lug an empty basket back to the States with them? Not! So into the landfill they go. Gift bags, on the other hand are versatile, and can be easily packed into your suitcase. My favorite gift bag, “the boat and tote” by L.L. Bean, can be customized with your name and wedding date. If you really want to keep it eco friendly try a tote from Pristine Planet. They carry totes that have been recycled or made from organic fibers. The key here is reusable!
Okay, so what do I suggest for your gift bag? My first choice would be water! Water bottles are a gift that all guests appreciate. Why not give them one that won’t end up in a landfill? Do you know that it takes 700 years for one plastic water bottle to disintegrate! Cafe Press offers an eco-friendly SIGG water bottle that can be customized with your wedding date, name or special message.
Goodies like jams, jellies, spices, hot sauces, and rum cakes made locally can be found at Down Island Traders. For a chocolate treat, the Belgian Chocolate Factory produces fifty varieties of chocolate with no preservatives or additives. Both stores can be found on the island of St. Thomas, USVI.
