Be our (green) guest

Last week I offered tips for brides and grooms who want to plan a greener wedding day. Since most of us attend far more weddings than we star in, here are a few ways for eco-conscious wedding guests to share the love in the clean, toxin-free air.

Give good gift: Offering a wedding present is a lovely gesture. But if you buy something the couple doesn't want, there's going to be a whole lot of wasted packaging and transportation involved with shipping and returning it. Either stick to the registry hopefully it features items made from sustainable materials or consider a gift certificate to the couple's favorite special restaurant or a donation to a charity in their name. No big boxes or packing peanuts required.

Shop your closet: The lens is going to be focused on the happy couple, so do you really need a new outfit? Just think about all the production energy, raw materials, and transport fuel behind all those flowy dresses and high heels. Why not wear something lovely that you already own.

Pack light: Extra poundage in your suitcase burns extra fuel, causing the emission of more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. If each airline passenger packed 10 pounds less, it would save more than 3 million tons of emissions each year. Same goes if you're driving: For every 50 extra pounds of baggage, an auto becomes about 1 percent less fuel efficient.

Travel efficiently: If the wedding is more than 500 miles away, book a direct flight (takeoffs and landings emit the most greenhouse gases). For shorter trips, take a train. If the wedding is local, carpool with guests who live nearby. Bonus: If someone else drives home, you can enjoy another cocktail.

Christie Matheson is the author of "Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style." Send questions to globegreenside@yahoo.com.