There were other green features of our wedding. In order to reduce trash, we provided biodegradible utensils, plates, and cups for the cake and cookout. And to offset the carbon of those traveling long distances to be with us, we gave away trees and wildflower seeds for our guests to take home and plant. 

Our wedding was held on Petit Jean Mountain at an open-air chapel with a beautiful view of the valley behind us. The dance and cookout was at the recreation hall of Petit Jean Mountain State Park, where many of our friends camped out. At the dance itself we hoped to reflect our values. Rather than hiring a DJ, we hired a fiddler, two guitarists, and a contra dance caller and hammer dulcimer player. Contra dancing is akin to square dancing, and we wanted this kind of dance because it invites even the uncoordinated to participate. Contra is a social dance in that it forces everyone to dance together because switching partners frequently is a part of the form. Contra dancing is a traditional form, but even those who had never done it before quickly caught on with everyone from children to grandparents joining in. 

Now the wedding is over, and we are looking forward to our honeymoon next week—an ecotourism trip to Belize. As we move into a life together, it is both Jessica’s and my hope that we will be an active partnership for good and change. We hope that we will be one of those couples who are creative and active and open late into life. Our wedding was just the beginning of a long journey together to live out our values of sustainability.