Fair Trade Wedding

Ethical Wedding Planning Guide

I remember waiting for my wedding dress to be shipped from Asia, having no idea at the time that it was probably being finished in a sweatshop. If you are busy planning your big day, but keep tripping up on ethical considerations, there is good news. Look below to find many great links and ideas for planning a fair trade wedding, a socially conscious wedding and a wedding that gives back.

Nightlight Design

"Made in freedom" by women in Thailand discovering dignified employment through Nightlight International. Their gorgeous three-strand, freshwater pearl necklace would look beautiful on any bride.

Prices: $95

Amani Ya Juu

"A social economic enterprise committed to peace and reconciliation for African women." They offer a fair trade wedding gift registry for all their gorgeous African home and kitchen goods.

Ten Thousand Villages

"The original fair trader," started in 1946!

They offer beautiful fair trade wedding products and gifts, bridal shower gifts and cards, gifts for the groomsmen and the bridesmaids and a wedding gift registry.

Amma's Umma

"An ethical boutique that gives back to adoptions." They offer beautiful formal women's dresses and wedding guest books and gorgeous earrings, perfect for a special occasion.

Sizes: XS - XL

Prices: $45 - $95

RIse and Empower formal dress. Ethical fashion.

Rise & Empower

"Empowering women in Haiti through job creation, ethical fashion and thoughtful design." They offer beautiful formal black and mocha dresses, which would look great at a wedding.

Sizes: S - XL

Prices: $60 - $75

Eternal Threads

“'Weaving hope and justice' to improve the lives of women and children who are at risk from extreme poverty and trafficking." Their delicate handmade, pressed flower cards would make unique bridal shower or wedding invitations.

Prices: $2 - $3.50

Simple Switch

They believe "it should be EASY to make a positive global impact with your every day purchases and gifts." They offer "Wedding Belle Bundles" for the bride, custom cuff links for the groom and coffee wedding favors for the guests.

Prices: $21 - $58

Made Trade

“"Beautifully crafted by young women rescued from human trafficking."

They offer ethically-made wedding dresses and formal wear, perfect for brides and bridesmaids.

Prices: $75 - $598

Shop With a Mission

On a mission “to equip and assist people in developing countries to break the cycle of poverty through their handiwork and creativity."

They sell gorgeous fair trade lacy jewelry rolls, perfect for a special place to keep your wedding jewelry.

Prices: $20

The Honest Consumer

Also check out

The Honest Consumer Blog for great guides to finding everything from ethical engagement rings to eco-friendly wedding invitations.

Ethical Wedding Planning Guide. Change the World by How You Shop.

Still Looking?

For more places to find ethical wedding products and ideas, such as wedding dresses, tuxedos, engagement rings and more, scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Ethical Shopping Guide to World Changing Travel Gear. www.changetheworldbyhowyoushop/travel

Honeymoon

If you are also planning your honeymoon, check out our guide to

World Changing Travel Gear.

The Root Collective

"Partners with artisans in Guatemala to produce handcrafted shoes.” They offer a large selection of beautifully and ethically made women's dress shoes.for the big day.

Sizes 5 - 10

Prices: $98 - $118

Trades of Hope

Sells products made by women whose "story has changed from pain and struggle to a story of hope!" Their beautiful freshwater pearl jewelry, would be perfect for a bride.

Prices: $38 - $42

Land of a Thousand Hills

Their mission is "to craft beautiful coffee, create purposeful work, and cultivate flourishing communities." Their delicious coffee is available in small "welcome" bags, perfect for wedding favors.

Askinosie Itty Bitty Chocolate Bar Favors. Direct trade, award winning chocolate. https://www.askinosie.com/itty-bar-box.html

Askinosie Chocolate

They trade directly with cocoa farmers, building relationships and paying higher than fair trade prices for their quality beans. Their award-winning, direct trade chocolate, comes in "itty bitty bars", perfect for wedding favors.

A Sister's Heart

"Started with one simple goal... to come along side young women in the under-served community of San Pedro Sula with a sister's heart." They sell gorgeous blank note card sets, perfect for wedding invitations, engagement announcements or bridal showers.

Prices: $10 - $15

Elegantees

Provides hope "to survivors of sex trafficking in Nepal."

They sell truly elegant women's dresses

perfect for bridesmaids or wedding guests.

Sizes: XS - XL

Prices: $56 - $84

Partners for Just Trade

“Building global partnerships through a just marketplace.”

They sell gorgeous fair trade silver and pearl jewelry which would add the perfect touch to your big day.

Prices: $18 - $59

The Village Country Store

They offer fair trade candles, beautifully hand-painted in South Africa and available in a multitude of colors to give your wedding a little African flair.

(Use the code: ShopWithLeeAnne for 10% off your entire order.)

Prices: $15 - $20

Sparrow Studio

Their "primary goal is to create a fair trade marketplace for handmade home decor and jewelry."

They sell fizzy bottle openers, made in Rwanda from hand-carved wood and bone, perfect for celebrating your big day.

Prices: $22

Purpose Jewelry

Read this great blog post from Purpose Jewelry:

"How to Throw the Perfect Sustainable and Socially Conscious Wedding."

Wedding Gifts

Go to our guide to

Wedding Gifts that Give Back

if you are attending the wedding, or looking for items to add to your wedding wish list.

Imagine Goods

Partners "with vulnerable and marginalized people around the world to make products.” They sell classy women's formal dresses as well as men's oxford shirts and neckties, great for the wedding party or guests.

Sizes XS - XL

Prices: $36 - $64

Vickery Trading Co.

Offers clothing sewn by refugees starting a new life in Dallas, Texas. Their beautiful girls dresses are made in the USA and would be perfect for flower girls.

Sizes: 18 mos - 12Y

Prices: $44 - $59

Bought Beautifully

“Purchase a product--transform a life.” They offer gorgeous candlestick holders,

hand carved in India, that would look beautiful holding the wedding candles.

Prices: $10

Serrv

"A nonprofit, fair trade organization dedicated to lifting disadvantaged artisans, farmers, and their families out of poverty." They offer a wedding gift registry for their huge selection of high-quality, fair trade home goods.