Have you noticed that the color green is getting more press than Paris Hilton these days? Green living, green energy, green tea. This may not be a color grooms like you incorporate into your everyday life, but when you're planning something as expensive and fleeting as a wedding, you just might want to consider it.

"The media has seized on environmentally-conscious weddings as a trend but I think they're here to stay," states Emily Anderson, pioneer of this new wave in wedding planning, in an interview with GroomGroove.com. Emily helped explain the idea behind this movement, and gave us some tips for making your wedding a more environmentally friendly one.

What is this "Eco-Chic" thing all about?

The notion of an environmentally-conscious wedding has just as much to do with planning a wedding that's happy and healthy for grooms and brides as they have to do with saving trees. Emily Anderson, owner of the popular blog, EcoChicWeddings.com, and author of the book "Eco-Chic Weddings", once planned weddings and events for Martha Stewart. Emily used invitations made from recycled paper for her own wedding in 2005. "This is the first time you're presenting yourself as a couple to the world," says Anderson. "It's more about being healthy physically, emotionally and globally."

Save the Environment, Spend a Fortune?

"Myth," says Anderson. Environmentally conscious weddings don't have to be more expensive than the typical wedding. Especially since such a large part of having an eco-friendly wedding is reducing wastefulness and excess from your plan, this can only have a positive impact on your bank account.

The Greener Groom and the Honeymoon

"Twenty percent of the overall budget for a wedding is spent on the honeymoon," Anderson tells us. And since, as the groom, you will be responsible for planning this getaway, here's your chance to make a difference. "Have you considered taking a cross-country train from New York to California for your honeymoon?" Anderson asks. The great thing about this idea is that it's affordable and your destination can be any stop along the way. Denver, Aspen, Chicago, see them all as you traverse the great U-S-of-A. Further, why not try camping in the Rockies or in Yellowstone National Park? This may be an idea to consider if all of your vacations as a couple have been to places like London, New York and Paris. (ed. - Camping is a real test of newlyweds' patience!)

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