My children are constantly playing 'Would you rather'. This morning, my daughter's (9) question was 'Would you rather it was Christmas every day or your birthday every day?'. My son (7), not to be out-done, asked 'Would you rather be allergic to your favourite food or only eat burnt food?'. Both incredibly difficult questions to answer before 7am.
I have a question for you. Would you rather a white or green wedding dress? And by that I mean, the former literally and the latter figuratively. Of course, both can actually be white. Clear?
Put another way, would you rather wear a brand new dress that is made from a fabric that is resource-intensive to produce; potentially manufactured in countries where the working conditions of seamstresses is not always truly known and with fabrics, trims or even the gowns themselves transported over long distances to reach you; or a dress that has been manufactured locally supporting local business/designers and requiring limited transport; a dress made from natural fibres, with little or no waste from dyes and chemical processing; or a dress that has been worn once before; all of which have a significant lower environmental impact and, more often than not, a lower price?
I am not immune to the gorgeousness of a resource intensive ruffle or an unsustainable sequin. However, the benefits of choosing a 'green' option are powerful and undeniable. I imagine, if your internet searches brought you here, you are probably not part of the group who are content with putting aside environmental concerns just for your wedding day. With good reason; given that it is usually one of the most significant clothing purchases of your life, and that you will likely wear it only once, your wedding dress/outfit could be one of the most environmentally unsustainable purchases you make.
I am firmly of the view that choosing a 'green' wedding dress requires no compromise of the style/ fashion/ individuality/ surprise stakes or in any other way. Whether that be a traditional white wedding dress or a more non-traditional option, there is absolutely no reason you cant have the outfit that your stylish heart desires, at a cost that it both gentler on the Earth and on your bank balance. That is why I am here. There is a long way to go, but I'm already finding friends along the way. Will you join us?
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