presents
Green Wedding & Event Trends Kate Harrison, Founder kate@greenbrideguide.com
introduction
Masters of Environmental Management
Author of the best-selling green wedding book
JD in Environmental Law
Founder of premier green wedding website WWW.GREENBRIDEGUIDE. COM
agenda Why Green Weddings & Events?
Top Trends of 2014
10 Green Marketing Tips
measuring impact
Average 400 lbs of garbage 320 million lbs.
Average 63 tons of CO2 50 million tons
8.3 million cars
every choice makes a difference!
Example: aisle runners
a quick history of green weddings GREEN WEDDINGS are not “new,” per se. Until the 1960s women often wore their mom’s gowns and had weddings at home. Recessions and DIY go hand-in-hand. Families will often do their own catering and/or create their own flower arrangements, invitations, etc.
a quick history of green weddings “Green weddings” as a concept emerged in the 1990s Originally counter-culture (vegan, in the woods, hippie weddings) In early 2000s the idea of “Eco-chic” began and ecoweddings moved mainstream.
the green aesthetic Though some of the green options available today still have an “organic� look and feel, many other choices are indistinguishable from their conventionally produced counterparts.
Today couples are not just going for a green aesthetic, but are also looking to have their weddings embody larger environmental and socially conscious themes.
how green is green? In practice, a green wedding is any celebration where the couple tries to decrease the impact of their event on the environment.
Some couples only want to include one or two elements while others want to be as green as possible.
a growing market
78% of couples are looking to include green elements in their weddings this year
26% plan to use locally-sourced products
25% want to use recycled materials
top 5 global wedding trend
Green is the new white! When wedding spending dropped 25%, green wedding spending increased 6% (The Wedding Report).
Celebrities are embracing green weddings and events!
green couples make great clients
By catering to the green market you can attract well-educated, eco-savvy consumers who are: WOMEN: 95% female WEALTHY: 65% earning more than $50,000 per year EDUCATED: 90% are college graduates SOCIAL: 84% on Facebook MOBILE: 92% own smart phones DEDICATED TO GREEN: Willing to spend 27% more on average and up to 2x more IN CHARGE: these women make 80% of household buying decisions.
green celebrations are also on the rise
BAR MITZVAHS
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
VOW RENEWALS
ANNIVERSARY PARTIES
consumer desires & barriers
Consumer attitudes 62%
Are open to switching brands to go green
66%
Are willing to pay 10% more; 17% will pay up to 25% more
67%
Would buy more green products if they could easily find them
86%
85%
83%
Don't want
Concerned about "green washing"
Want more variety
to go out of their way
83%
Are concerned about toxic chemical exposure
THEY WANT TO GO GREEN
BARRIERS
greenwashing Greenwashing is the passing off of conventional products as eco-friendly. EXAMPLES FROM THE WEDDING INDUSTRY: Conventionally produced cotton gowns Balloons with plastic strings Wildflower seed paper made in China Bridesmaid gowns “you can wear again” Hand painted or assembled products that are conventionally produced Anything that is “recyclable” Regular petroleum-based candles
green event professionals add value A “one stop shop” for green weddings with everything they need to plan a hassle-free green event
Someone who can recommend green products and services for any “look” & can protect them from “greenwashing” Someone who understands the how and the why of what they are doing. An ally.
agenda Why Green Weddings & Events?
Top Trends of 2014
10 Green Marketing Tips
digital event sites with matching invitations
mywedding.com has free wedding websites
playing with petals
EXAMPLE
Flyboy Naturals on Green Bride Guide sells pesticide-free petals in every shade
sophisticated LED lighting
mason jars
colorful wedding gowns
Peace silk gowns by Chrissy Wai-Ching
sustainable accessories Fair trade wraps
Colorful vegan shoes
Retro accessories
Eco-friendly jewelry
edible flower arrangements
Incorporating food in surprising ways
moss and grass decor
upcycled buttons & brooches
Images available at h.p://pinterest.com/greenbrideguide
microbrews and microtreats
Local and organic finger foods and local beers
utensils
Colorful compostables and eco-disposables
cake toppers
DIY and retro style
green event professionals painted add value cakes
seeded favors
Tree and seed favors – plantable paper, bulbs, small potted plants
registry CHARITY REGISTRIES CASH REGISTRIES GREEN REGISTRIES
reselling, recycling & donating
creative reuse
Floral Expressions Cards
green evnt professionals add value agenda
Why Green Weddings & Events?
Top Trends of 2014
10 Green Marketing Tips
step 1: green your business
Simple ideas include:
Go paperless and virtual
Use recycled paper
Change your bulbs
Carbon offset your Switch to green transportation web hosting
Choose reusables
Create a portfolio of green designs
Use green cleaning products
Take a certification course to deepen your knowledge
step 2: showcase your green choices
1 Add a going green section to your website
5 Feature your green badges and associations
2 Create a green missions statement
6 Attend green events and expos
3 Add the recycled symbol to your business cards and marketing materials
7 Build a local network of green vendors
4 Join local green business groups
8 Give out green merchandise
step 3: build green SEO
Create green blog content for your site – especially with a local focus Guest post on green topics Submit your green event photos to larger sites Create green Pinterest boards Add green keywords to your online profiles (e.g. on mywedding.com) Write a green press release and send to PR Web and local media Make green ads and buy ad space in green publications
contact
Connect with
350,000 green couples today!
Kate L. Harrison Kate@KateLHarrison.com
green wedding certification course details
20 hours – online self-paced Easy short video and online quiz format made for working professionals Badge, printed certificate, table tent, and decal Worth 2 ABC points Listing on Green Bride Guide Usually $395 but $100 OFF with code ISES by April 30th = $295
www.GreenBrideGuide.com/Classes