As more eco-conscious couples take their walk down the aisle, a growing green wedding industry is responded to this demand. The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte has unveiled a new Green wedding package designed to add environmental mindfulness to the wedding experience and become a keystone of the hotel’s eco-friendly practices.
"We are constantly looking for innovative approaches that aren't typically offered in the luxury hotel market," said Heidi Nowak, Director of Sales and Marketing for the hotel. "We noticed a trend among meeting planners, who are starting to book more and more 'green meetings' - food catered by organic, local services, paper products printed on post-consumer waste. We thought it would be exciting to move wedding services in that direction as well."
Something Green takes advantage of the Charlotte area’s rich bounty of culinary products while also responding to marrying couples’ interest in creating environmentally-responsible receptions. The package ensures that reception flowers and keepsakes do not become wasted resources, and it includes table linens made of fabric derived from recycled plastic bottle materials, centerpieces placed in compostable papier mâché containers, and take-home gifts of plant-able herb gardens.
Speaking of "replanting," all foliage and flowers for the Something Green package are locally-grown. The options are vast, with pink and purple ornamental cabbage blossoms, green hypericum berries, yellow daffodils, hot pink roses, spring bulb flowers such as iris, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, gerbera daisies, hydrangeas, delphiniums, snap dragons, cosmos, and zinnias in the flower category; pittosporum, boxwood, eucalyptus, ivy, galax and more in the foliage category.
In addition to the floral eye candy, Something Green also offers edible, drinkable eco-options. Organic beverages like Juniper Green Gin, Crop Vodka, Mount Gay Pagayo, 4 Copa Tequila, and wines by Bonterra pour from a four-hour organic open bar during the reception. (We like the sound of the "Tomatillo Martini:" Crop Tomato vodka, muddled peppercini, red and yellow grape tomatoes, salt, sugar, oregano and fresh lime juice.)
Dinners make use of organic carrot purees, asparagus, hormone- and antibiotic-free filet mignons, and more. Vegetarians will be pleased to know that meat-free dinners can be customized to their, ahem, taste. And the chefs at Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte grow their own organic rosemary, oregano, chives and thyme up top on the hotel's green roof, so fresh herbs are literally a few floors away.
Priced at $189 per person, something green at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte includes:
- Reduced, Reused and Recycled Reception Décor
- Locally-Grown Foliage, Herbs and Flowers
- Natural Papier Mâché Centerpiece Containers
- Centerpieces may be replanted, composted or donated to the bride’s choice of a local hospital or non-profit following the reception.
- Choice of Ivory or Gold Table Linen made from 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic
- Plant-able Herb Garden Favor for Each Guest
- Fresh and Organic Reception Dining*
- Organic Beverage Selections -- Four-Hour Organic Open Bar featuring:
- Juniper Green Gin, Crop Vodka, Mt. Gay Pagayo, 4 Copa Tequila, Bonterra Chardonnay and Bonterra “The McNab” Cabernet Sauvignon
- Farm-Fresh Hors d’Oeuvres and Green Salad
- Local and Organic Entrée
- Meyer's All Natural Filet Mignon, North Carolina Sweet Potato Dauphinoise, Jumbo Asparagus, Organic Carrot Purée, Red Wine Jus
- Classic Organic Wedding Cake with House-Made Jams
*The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte donates unused food to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.
The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte offers multiple wedding and reception settings, dinner seating for up to 480 guests, a spectacular grand staircase for bridal entrances, and an acclaimed wedding cake program heralded for its contemporary taste and design. Wedding inquiries may be directed to 704-972-4452.
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