Here comes the bride, all dressed in...green?

Yep, this week we're talking about the big one: 'the dress', THE DRESS!

Here comes the bride, all dressed in... what? What to wear?

All eyes will be on you, so you're probably looking for something a bit special but you're also thinking about the ethical and green credentials of your outfit too. Tricky! So what are your options?

The charitable bride

Why not take a look at the range of wedding dresses in your local charity shop. Some even have entire branches dedicated to wedding dresses, many of which are shop seconds rather than second hand. And if you can't find exactly the right fit, ask a local dressmaker to adjust it for you.

Win ethical brownie points for reusing and recycling and for supporting a charity. Heck, you can even donate the dress back again when you'™ve finished with it!

Try Oxfam bridal or try St Ann's Hospice

Vintage bride

In the same reusing and recycling vein, cast your eye over the swathes of gorgeous vintage wedding dresses that are flooding the stores online and in style-conscious streets and feel like a bride from a more romantic era.

Try Vintage Wedding or Sara's Attic

Bespoke

If you're having your wedding outfit made just for you, whether it's your mum making it, a friend, or a dressmaker, consider ways in which you might be able to wear it again after the wedding, perhaps by opting for a two piece, a trouser suit, or a dress that can be adjusted or dyed. If you ask your dressmaker nicely, they might include this as part of the service!

Think also about how you can minimise damage to the environment in your choice of fabric - thanks to innovations in the fashion industry your options are increasing rapidly from organic cottons, to bamboo-based textiles, to vegetarian silk.

Some designers and dressmakers also offer a recycle / reuse option by taking two or more old dresses, perhaps your mum's or your grandmother's, and combining them to create a stylish new and completely unique wedding dress.

Try Wholly Jo's or utani-uk

Support a student

Ethical and eco-fashion is a growing concern among the undergraduates in the fashion colleges. Seek out a student and test their creative powers to fashion you a totally unique wedding dress from eco-friendly fabrics.

Try contacting the Ethical Fashion Forum

Off the peg

More and more online stores are offering ready-to-wear fabulous fair trade dresses and designer eco-wear, with US sites in particular extending this to the wedding market, although the UK is beginning to follow suit.

Try Gaiahouse

Something borrowed

Maybe the dress of your dreams is closer than you think. Before you start out on the great dress hunt, see if friends or family might have a dress hiding at the back of the closet that might do the job perfectly, especially for a more informal wedding or if money is tight. You never know until you ask!

Try: Your mum's wardrobe!

Wedding lingerie

Everyone will tell you how important the right lingerie is to show you at your very best in your wedding attire. And now just for the ethical bride designers are developing ranges using sustainable fabrics such as hemp and organic cotton as well as making pretty knickers out of old ugly dresses!

Try Green Knickers or Enamore

The bridesmaids

If you’re having bridesmaids, invariably, the best option is to get them to choose their own wedding outfits. If you have a colour theme, ask them to choose their outfit in that colour but in a shape that suits their figure; if a dressmaker is making them, give them a say in the design. You can point them towards vintage shops, fair trade options or charity shops but above all, try to find something they will wear again – or that they can sell on ebay!

Try pretty summer dresses at People Tree

Useful links:
Ethical Weddings Forum - check out the ethical wedding dress debate on the Ethical Weddings forum
Crafts Council eco-fashion wedding dress project

Happy planning!

Katie
www.ethicalweddings.com