Celebrate the Planet

The “green theme” was featured throughout the show’s storylines as the wedding preparations came together in March, and gradually built throughout the show until the actual ceremony, which aired the week of May 7. Experts from around the country were gathered for the event, and collaborated with the show’s producers and network executives to make sure every wedding detail was accurate and true-to-life.

The adorable floral arrangements were custom designed by Anne Child Marella of Hidden Garden Flowers, and formed a towering arch of potted flowers and plants including California roses and other native fauna. By using only locally-grown vegetation, Marella was able to cut down the cost of transporting the plants to the show’s studio, thereby eliminating toxic exhaust used by delivery trucks and the chemical treatments used to keep the flowers fresh. All the potted flowers that formed the bridal arch were later moved to decorate the reception hall and then replanted outside the studio. The roses and other cut flowers were donated to area hospitals and nursing facilities. As a finishing green-conscious touch, Marella recommends displaying the flowers in glass vases rented from the florist, which can be reused and are cheap than buying, anyway.

Sami’s wedding gown designer, Monique Lhuillier of Lhuillier fashions, echoed the green theme by constructing the full-length, strapped gown using natural-fiber silk. As with the other floral arrangements, the bouquet Sami carried down the aisle was made of local flowers. The new couple presented each other rings fashioned by Tacori, a green business that was able to provide documentation that the rings were manufactured in a non-polluting manner.

Guests at the reception were treated to a feast of organically prepared and served foods and drinks by Ben Ford of Ford’s Filling Station. Ford used all-natural ingredients, free of preservatives and additives, when creating a host of dishes. The wedding cake, a tiered floral-decorated affair done in soft earth tones, was created by NancyKay Confections using only all-natural flour and free-range eggs.

Rather than printing multiple copies of the menu, the guests could review a larger central menu on a pedestal outside the reception hall. The menu and also the invitations were printed on recycled paper. Finally, the couple gave every guest a unique seed packet wedding favor containing a variety of seeds they could plant themselves, offering them a chance to participate in the care of Mother Earth.