Winning the Gold by Going Green

Every four years people all over the globe gather around the TV to watch their respective countries participate in the Olympic Games. It’s a source of inspiration, pageantry and pride for the USA — and, of course, an opportunity to get a quick glimpse into another culture and their own unique way of planning, organizing and opening The Games.

Just before the 2008 Olympic Games in China, 30,000+ couples got married in a mass wedding ceremony, setting their own Olympic-sized world record. This set the tone in China to encourage competitors to “go for the gold" using the Olympics as an opportunity to get married front and center during a large-scale global event.

A focus in this year’s games has been sustainability (the Olympic park was built with sustainable materials) and many natural resources surrounding the Olympic Park have been restored and revitalized.

There may not be a mass wedding rush this time around, but this doesn’t mean that love is lost on the 2012 games. U.S. Olympic swimmer Matt Grevers proposed to his girlfriend shortly after winning first place in the Missouri Grand Prix Olympic Trials. He then went on to the London Olympics with more than gold on his mind!

There is something about such a large world event that makes lovers and Olympians alike want to share their special moment with everyone involved. If you have access to a large public platform like Matt Grevers, what better way to show your devotion to a healthy and athletic lifestyle than having a green wedding?

The concept of conserving resources is also appealing in a recession when couples are looking to save money. This goes hand in hand with green weddings.

Here are some of the eco-friendly elements that green-minded gals in London and beyond can include in their events:

-Local bakeries like VegOut in East Sussex are organic and locally-grown baked goods that you can enjoy, from Surrey, UK.

 - Florists, like EcoChic, also in East Sussex are creating gorgeous locally-grown arrangements. Summer in England has so much to offer! Using local flowers reduces the carbon footprint of these weddings, parties, and receptions because it decreases the shipping required when flowers are grown overseas.

 - Because of all the Olympic traffic, guests are riding their bikes, taking the buses and taking the Underground to the wedding venues. In addition to being convenient, public transportation is better for the environment too! Check out Great Escape Classic Car Hire in Worcestershire. You can drive a Prius or purchase a carbon emissions offset from Carbon Clear!

 -Purchase your wedding bands from an ethical jeweler local to the area. Element Jewellery from West Yorkshire uses non-conflict Canadian Diamonds and also has a fully traceable gold source.

 From large-scale mass weddings to intimate individual weddings and events, everyone can do their part by supporting green products and services. In the end, these simple changes help make us all winners, with or without the gold medal!

You can find green vendors in your area, too!

Check out our green vendor directory for more ideas.