From using recycled paper invitations to ordering organic flowers, there are endless ways to throw a beautiful party while also doing your part to help the environment.

Green weddings can be a great way to ensure that our planet continues to thrive for coming generations. The best part is that with a little forethought, you won’t even need a “Green” wedding planner – there are so many steps you can take on your own.

Starting with your invitations, make the eco friendly choice to use 100% recycled or “tree free” paper (such as bamboo.) Look for paper manufactured from recycled or tree-free material, processed chlorine free (PCF), and printed with soy inks. Some green wedding invitations even come with seeds for trees or wildflowers embedded in the grain of the paper, so guests can actually plant their invitations later!

Think about all the wedding items you need that will use paper: save the date cards, invitations, wedding programs, reception menu cards, napkins, place cards, wedding announcements and thank you cards (to name a few.) Making this small change for your green wedding can save literally dozens of trees in the long run, and you’ll be setting a good example for your friends. Some brides are even making the choice to forego a paper invite completely; they are choosing to do it all online. This is both eco friendly and free, but it’s not for everyone.

The reception is an area where huge steps can be taken to help the environment. For your green wedding, choose organic and fair-trade products wherever possible, from food and drinks to flowers. Locally grown produce and flowers will also cut down on the cost of the products too. Support local vendors—less energy will be used to transport goods, and the money you spend will go back into the community. Also, use biodegradable plates and utensils at the reception - or, if you’re using non-disposable items, make sure they are washed with biodegradable cleaners.

Eco friendly wedding centerpieces can be made from the flowers used during the reception. While you are out getting your pictures taken, they can be quickly reworked into tabletop decorations for the reception (saving both plants and money.) Another green wedding centerpiece idea is to use fresh fruit in baskets, seasonal of course. Then you have built-in eco friendly favors, the guests can simply take them home to enjoy later. Or, skip the party favors completely, and let guests know you’ve made a donation to a charity in their honor instead. Also, when choosing your flowers, make sure you go with seasonal varieties to work with Mother Nature – they’ll already be organic and locally grown, of course!

After the reception, be sure to send the flowers and extra food to a good home after the party (a local homeless shelter perhaps,) so they won’t go to waste. That way, you can be sure that your green wedding will go above and beyond. And don’t forget that when you rent transportation for the wedding party, take advantage of the environmentally cleaner hybrid rental cars now being offered and rent a “luxury” car that’s been converted to reduce emissions.

These are all little changes that may go unnoticed by everyone except you, but you’ll have done your part for the environment. Make your eco friendly wedding an earth-friendly green experience all around. By working with the seasons and environment, you can feel good about your decision and save money at the same time.