Eco-Friendly Bridal Invitations by Woman Craft

WomanCraft, a non-profit and social enterprise employing women who are currently homeless or are no longer homeless in Chicago, specializes in handmade and eco-friendly bridal invitations.

WomanCraft has always been green since the organization has been producing exclusively handmade 100% recycled paper - and providing jobs to women transitioning from homelessness - since 1998. “People started asking us to make their wedding invitations 3 or 4 years ago and we did here and there, just by request at first,” says Nancy Phillips, general manager of WomanCraft. “Now weddings are over half of our business and ‘green brides’ from all over the country have found us. Last year, we won [Chicago] Mayor Daley’s GreenWorks award for leadership environmentally responsible products.”

 

WomanCraft exists to employ women as artisans. “The fact that we recycle shredded office paper and use reclaimed botanic elements means that we pay less for raw materials and that more money goes to pay the artisans, which supports our social mission - so the environment wins, the artisans win and eco-friendly customers win,” says Phillips.

 

Some brides wonder whether you can still be cost-effective and green. WomanCraft seems to think so since brides have definitely fueled the organization’s growth. “WomanCraft's reputation for custom "green" invitations has definitely driven our growth, especially as we've started serving more brides across the country,” Phillips adds. “Our handmade paper is exclusively recycled, so - for us - being "green" hasn't added any costs - just more customers. From a pricing standpoint, we offer value by being green and providing custom invitations for about the same cost as other invitations.”

 

But that’s not to say eco-friendly wedding invitations can’t look as stylized and beautiful as their more traditional counterparts. “WomanCraft believes the ‘green’ wedding options have to be as gorgeous and stylish as traditional options – that we need to continually offer even ‘greener’ options with more customization and that brides are willing to set aside more traditions to have a greener wedding,” says Phillips.

                                 

 

Even eco-friendly invitations have seen changes in recent years. “Two years ago, using postcards for reply cards was a big ‘green’ concession - now more couples are using email or web replies,” Phillips points out. “More people are requesting hemp twine instead of satin ribbon. More people want all-recycled, not just recycled content.”

 

Phillips embraces bridal couples’ interest in doing everything they can to make their special day not only memorable, but thoughtful. “When a couple's values are reflected in the choices they make in planning their wedding, it makes their event more meaningful for them and for their guests,” she says. “WomanCraft's customers are delighted that their invitations support women who are working to create new beginnings, support a sustainable environment and are handmade in custom colors.”

 

And at the end of the day, choosing products and vendors with positive impact on the community and the earth adds meaning to a couple's wedding.

 

For more information about WomanCraft wedding invitations, you can contact:

Nancy Phillips, General Manager, WomanCraft

phone: 773-521-3414; email: womancraft@yahoo.com

Web site: Web site: www.WomanCraft.net