Green Bride Guide Slides From ISES/MPINCC Event 2014

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