Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only - not the street or sidewalk.
Use the microwave to cook small meals. (It uses less power than an oven.)
Purchase "Green Power" for your home's electricity. (Contact your power supplier to see where and if it is available.)
Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher; wash only full loads.
Cut back on air conditioning and heating use if you can.
Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
White is no longer the only color of choice featured at weddings. In Austin, ceremonies and receptions are starting to "go green" as brides and grooms carry their sustainable lifestyles all the way down the aisle.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in South Austin is the perfect setting for a green wedding. The invitations are on recycled paper and energy efficient LED lights brighten the night skies. Also, the food is from local producers, including the Farmers Market, and succulents replace cut flowers even on the cake. It's the latest trend among eco-conscious brides and grooms.
"It's kind of like thinking outside of the box as well as being responsible and it's bringing about a whole new aesthetic look to weddings," said Monique Capanelli, Root Design Company.
Capanelli creates decorative greenery and landscaping. "Green" was also the theme at her own wedding last year. Rather than use disposable plates and flatwear, she solicited china place settings from friends which were, in turn, donated to SafePlace.
"We did some Sweetish Hill cookies," said Gina Whittington Wilson, Austin Wedding and Event Coordinators.
For guests, reusable gift bags contain all kinds of locally produced goodies. Even the favors given to departing guests are eco-friendly.
"They're also giving saplings so people can plant trees in memory of the weddings. If you're not going to take them, we ask that they leave them there. The bride and groom will plant them," said Whittington Wilson.
From the venue to the menu, brides and grooms are going green and while it doesn't cut costs, it does give newlyweds the satisfaction of knowing they're helping, not hurting the environment.
