Green beginnings

The Hindu

17-05-2025

A green wedding is not different from a regular wedding; it does the regular things differently. The idioms of the ritual continue but in rephrased forms. Here is how Amrutha Pragasam ensured hers read different and green.
Souvenirs to attendees: jute bags free of wording to enable their resuse.
Invitations: seed paper extending the welcome to invitees, while also carrying seeds planted within it.
Bridal attire: no fast fashion; an easy-on-the-earth handwoven Chanderi sari and rented jewellery.
The rest of the green wedding read: no flexes, foam boards, plastic flowers or bottled water; a bouquet handmade using bast fabric; steel cups; bagasse for plates
Amrutha's wedding was going to be green by default. Sustainability-minded, Amrutha had thought of such a wedding for herself long before 'green weddings' became trendy hashtags. A fashion designer currently pursuing a PhD on sustainable fashion from National Institute of Fashion Technology, she runs a non-profit, Rhapsodeed that sells second hand items, sustainably made, and handmade lifestyle products. With the profits and fundraisers, Rhapsodeed gives a leg-up to the unprivileged to start small ventures of their own.
Amrutha had a vision of an eco-friendly wedding, but had to successfuly impress that mental picture upon those travelling alongside her — her family, her fiancee and his own — so they owned that vision too, at least respected it.
She received a nod, a whole-hearted one, from Ashwin Pratap, then fiancee now husband.
'His values just naturally synced with mine. I did not have to convince him.' The convincing part entered the equation when the families were in the picture.
'Initially, they thought it was unnecessary, but they came around eventually.'
In the early days of wedding preparation, when the nod was yet to come forth, she strung seed-paper invites by hand at home, hidden from sceptical eyes. 'I sat for a whole week, crafting them one by one. My products had to be moved into another room so I could work in secret.'
And the two families found themselves being congratulatory about Amrutha's efforts.
There was however a challenge and it came from an unexpected quarter: given the logistical difficulties, the marriage hall management panicked, and it took a whisper of reassurance from Namma Ooru Foundation, which handled the organic waste, to bring them back on board.
A takeaway: in Amrutha's words, 'It is funny — even when you reduce décor, the prices do not drop. You have to negotiate every detail.' It might cost more, but is worth it, as it would cost the planet a little less.
'Better late than landfill'
Uma Ram picked up the green baton late in the day, but ran her feet off to complete the run on time and with impact. Only the day before the reception did she manage to sign on a service provider — Connect To Bhoomi (an organisation focused on promoting and practising sustainability by educating clients on the responsible use of natural resources) — that could deal with the waste generated from the wedding.
But better late than landfill, quips Uma, a digital content creator.
Waste management: Water bottles had already been ordered, and the caterers were asked to work with Connect To Bhoomi to ensure their proper disposal. Banana leaves replaced plates; leftover fruits were fed to cows after a vet's approval; and flowers were composted carefully. 'Not all flowers are eco-friendly — some are dyed and can harm the soil. It was a real eye-opener,' she admits.
Invitation: seed-paper invites came from Iniyawai.
Bridal attire: Uma chose to wear her grandmother's 50-year-old sari instead of buying new. 'Why buy new when heritage fits like a glove?' Uma asks. Truth be told, her first choice was a 90-year-old silver Banarasi sari; as it could not be restored, she went in for the less-aged alternative.
Transportation: two buses booked to bring relatives together. 'Less carbon footprint, more family footprint,' she smiles.
If Uma had had her way in the first place, the process could have been easier than it was.
'Ever since college, I have noticed how weddings waste so much — especially water and food. It always left a bad taste,' she says.
Uma's dream was a no-frills wedding at a quiet temple or at the marriage registrar's office. But, the bride and the groom being firstborns, both families wanted a grand wedding.
Persuading vendors and the staff at the marriage hall to toe the sustainability line took some doing.
'Some argued, 'Why separate waste? It is easier to throw everything in one bin.' It took patience and a lot of explaining,' Uma recalls.
Her husband Srinivas was in the dark about the wedding's green focus until after the wedding when he saw the segregated waste. 'He told me, 'I'm so proud of you. You have pulled off something incredible,'' Uma beams.
A Takeaway: 'Sustainable weddings are not about spending more; they are about spending smart,' Uma remarks. And guests being inspired to follow in her footsteps is the reward.