Stay Local, Go Green

Jake and I always try to do our part for our local economy and the environment. We both work for small, locally- and independently-owned companies. His family also owns and operates Hensley's Variety Store in Union Store. We understand the need to support local business people.

In addition to supporting the local people, we also try very hard to keep our environment clean. It's hard to do when you live in a small midwestern town where you have to drive almost 20 miles to get to the nearest recycling station. You also have to drive quite a ways to find organic produce, as there are no food co-ops in the area either. The pressing need for cleaner living is catching on here in rural Michigan, but it's a slow progression.


For us, I think it goes beyond just being supportive and "green." I think we align our efforts at maintaining local and green lifestyles with our beliefs. God made this earth so we need to do what we can to keep it clean. It was His gift to us. As far as shopping locally, that just makes sense. First of all, you save gas and thereby cut down on your carbon emissions. But, you also pump money back into the town where you live, rather then sending it to some other city or country. These business people pay the same taxes as we do, shop at the same places, know the same people and love the same community. We're strong believers in the "trickle up" effect rather than the "trickle down." Put the money in the hands of the little guy and it will eventually benefit everyone.

A few weeks ago I realized that Jake and I have the potential to do a lot of good with our wedding. We've set a budget of $5,000 for this shindig (okay, we might go over by a little bit...). It occured to me the other day that, hey, that's a lot of money! Think of the people we could benefit with that! So, we've decided that on a day that is traditionally suppose to be about us, we're going to make it about our community as well.

We haven't worked out all the details yet, but here's what we've got so far:

• I'm buying my dress from a locally owned bridal boutique in Coldwater. The owner is a frequent customer of Jake's at the coffee shop.

• I plan on using lots of ribbon, fabric and pillar candles as decorations, most of which will be purchased through Hensley's.

• Our florist is local. I'm going to work with her to see if we can buy flowers that have been grown in Michigan, maybe even grown organically (although this will most likely be difficult to find at a price we can afford).

• Though our reception isn't going to be a full sit-down meal, we do want to provide yummies for our guests. Scott Ladd, owner of Broadway Grille in downtown Union City, will be catering the affair. We're talking about having Scott and his crew create gourmet pizzas. We're also going to have fruit and veggies, another side dish, and .....

• ... Locally grown and made jams and apple butter. Our friend Adrienne came up with the idea. Jake and I were planning on having a table full of different breads, crackers cheeses and spreads. Adrienne took the idea one step further and said we should offer jams and apple butter from local Amish farm stands in the area. Not only is it socially and environmentally responsible, it's about the most yummy thing I can think of!

• I plan to print all of our Save-The-Dates, invitations and ceremony programs printed on 100% recycled paper.

• We're offering bottled water to guests at our hot August wedding. However, the idea of about 200 plastic bottles makes me cringe. Short of buying everyone a reusable Nalgene bottle, there isn't a good solution. I've come up with two things to help remedy that problem:

• Getting Ethos water. They give a portion of their proceeds to get clean water for people in under-developed countries.

• Setting up recycling bins at the ceremony and reception. We'll have one for plastic bottles and another for paper products (i.e. the ceremony program ... who keeps those anyway??)

So, that's the start of Local/Green wedding. More updates to follow!