The symbol of romance and fidelity, the rose, is not surprisingly the star of most weddings. Nearly 90% of brides and grooms opt to include this imported stem -- but this ceremonious icon of love and devotion will cost you a premium; the average rose is marked-up 100-200%! While you'll pay .75-1.50 per stem (not including styling fees), the person who picked this flower probably made about .58 an hour... earnings less than the worker's regional minimum wage. An estimated seventy (70) percent of cut-flowers are imported from third world countries where labor costs are low and conditions toxic. But labor infractions aren't the only reason to think twice about imported flowers. While the FDA monitors incoming food and seeds, flowers remain un-inspected, carrying as much as 50 times the pesticides found on produce; one-fifth of these pesticides and agrochemicals are known or probable carcinogens. Be warned: chemical toxins leach into the skin when handled by the end user! What can you do:
Go green:
Pick your own native flora and fauna
Purchase local blooms
Choose potted plants and flowers
Grow your own centerpieces
Choose woody perennials
Offer edible arrangements
Create unique displays from salvaged or borrowed objects
Shopping for a Better Rose:
Still set on the quintessential wedding flower? We've created this guide to help you better navigate the growing list of eco-labels, from good choices, to the best choice for both you, the environment, and your pocketbook:
A Good Choice: Organic-certification dictates that no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides can be used. Natural materials, however, like organic insecticide cooper sulfite, which is classified as a poison by the US EPA, is allowed. We also like Fair Trade, which prohibits the use of a number (but not all) toxic agrochemicals and improves the working and safety conditions of laborers.
A Better Bet: The Biodynamic label, monitored by Demeter, cultivates a healthy soil ecosystem and produces organic-quality products.
The Best Choice: Choose a local, native plant or flower. Native plants provide food and shelter for local wildlife, support regional ecosystems and require no pesticides in their natural environment. Try lisianthus, a rose look alike, is found naturally in the prairies of the United States.
