Oxfordshire, the place to marry Oxfordshire 2019 | Page 48

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E S A NICE DAY FOR A… Green Wedding (or civil partnership) Billy Idol may have had a top ten hit in the 80’s with “White Wedding” but we can show you how to have a Number One green event today! While white weddings have been the rage for a while, international charity Oxfam estimates that 15 per cent of couples feel that having an ethical approach to their ceremony is important. Current concerns about the state of the environment mean that many couples want to make their special day as eco-friendly as possible, and this can be done more easily than you think! Oxfam has nine dedicated bridal shops throughout the UK, and the charity’s There is often controversy over rings: has wedding co-ordinator Barbara Warmsley says the gold or silver used to make them been ethically sourced? At what cost to the planet’s that there is a growing trend for women to resources? To minimise any negative impact, source their dresses second-hand. “I started selling wedding dresses for Oxfam in 1960; look for rings in antique shops or at student now we’ve got a business that is booming. art shows or choose ones made from other It’s great that so many brides are coming to materials such as wood. Alternatively, look Oxfam for their dresses.” for recycled gold or fair trade silver on the internet, or for conflict-free diamonds, check Caring confetti out the Kimberley Process website. Confetti has become unpopular in recent years because of the mess it makes on Something borrowed pavements and outside of buildings. If guests Everyone wants to look their best on their are keen on throwing something, why not special day but you don’t necessarily need use dried rose petals? They look pretty, smell a new outfit to do this. Why not check out divine and are biodegradable! some of the charity shops that specialise in bridal gowns? Recycled rings 44 www.squibphotography.co.uk OXFORDSHIRE: THE PLACE TO CELEBRATE