Ahh, springtime. Couples holding hands, smooching under blossoming trees in the park. And nothing says “domestic partnership” like an economic recession.

Not long ago,  one of my best friends was planning an eco-friendly wedding, and I was along for the fascinating ride. Living vicariously through her was satisfying on many levels: the girly-girl in me liked the dress-selecting and vow-writing, the rebel in me loved the thrill of bucking nuptial traditions, and my inner pragmatist reveled in the many ways one could reduce both costs and waste by keeping things green.

During this time, I learned volumes about green weddings, including the big one on my Wanderluster’s mind: In all of the world, where is the most eco-friendly destination to hold a wedding?

The answer: your backyard.

(I mean that more figuratively than anything, although if you do hold your wedding in your literal backyard, you’ve got pretty much everyone beat!)

See, the mantra of the sustainability movement – “Keep it local” – holds very true here. The closer to home, the less people you will have traveling large distances, which makes for a smaller environmental footprint. Goods and services can be locally-sourced and delivered, furthering that effect. Bottom line: no matter how many solar panels that eco-resort in the Carribbean has, or how nice the composting toilets are on that organic farm in Tuscany, the planet will be far better served by the celebration of your union the closer you keep it to home. (Of course, Tuscans and Carribeaners are excluded from that last statement.)

The locally-staged wedding can be further greened with help from the plethora of websites on this topic:

• Grist.org suggests streaming video of your event via the internet for far-flung friends and family

• Among the Sierra Club’s recommendations are carbon offsets for your guests and listings for eco-friendly accommodations and green car rentals in your invitations

• Ethical Weddings helps with responsible honeymoon travel planning

• Need inspiration? The Offbeat Bride profiles real couples’ DIY nuptials

Photo by mitjamasvar