Green Wedding Disaster

The term Green Wedding can refer to a few different things. In popular culture, the Green Wedding is a reference to an episode of the TV show House of the Dragon, in which a pre-wedding banquet ends with a murder. The term also has a historical meaning, referring to runaway marriages that took place in Gretna Green, a village in Scotland near the border with England. Finally, a green wedding can also refer to an eco-friendly wedding, where the couple plans to decrease the ecological impact of their wedding by using recycled or borrowed items, choosing sustainable venues, and reducing waste.

The 'Green Wedding' in *House of the Dragon*

The Green Wedding in *House of the Dragon* is a pivotal event in the series, taking place during the fifth episode, "We Light the Way." It is a pre-wedding banquet celebrating the union of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon, which ends in a violent and dramatic fashion, setting the stage for the upcoming civil war.

The Green Wedding gets its name from the striking emerald green gown worn by Alicent Hightower, the Queen, and step-mother of the bride, Rhaenyra. Alicent's choice of attire is a bold and intentional statement, as green is associated with the Hightower family's beacon, which is lit when calling their banner to war. Her arrival at the banquet is a carefully planned grand entrance, designed to upstage the bride and assert her place in the royal hierarchy.

The feast is a tumultuous affair, filled with drama and tension. Criston Cole, an ex-lover of Rhaenyra, instigates a duel, turning a group dance into chaos. Another source of conflict is Daemon, Rhaenyra's uncle and former lover, whose presence at the wedding goes against his banishment ordered by the king. Daemon causes a stir by arguing with Gerold Royce and attempting to win Rhaenyra back, creating a tense and volatile atmosphere.

The Green Wedding is significant not only for its dramatic events but also for its impact on the plot. It marks a turning point in Alicent's character development, as she embraces her agency and power, forming new alliances and stepping into the game of thrones. Additionally, the violence and political machinations at the wedding set the stage for the impending civil war, with the guests at the wedding representing the dividing factions.

Overall, the Green Wedding in *House of the Dragon* is a pivotal moment in the series, filled with drama, political intrigue, and violent clashes. It showcases the complex relationships and power dynamics between the characters and sets the stage for the upcoming conflict, making it a memorable and crucial event in the story's progression.

Eco-friendly weddings

Planning an eco-friendly wedding can be a daunting task, but it is definitely possible and becoming increasingly popular. Here are some ideas to make your special day more environmentally conscious and sustainable:

Planning and Vendors

• Hire vendors that prioritise sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Ask them about their efforts and what steps they take to reduce their carbon footprint.
• Choose a sustainable venue that emphasises environmentally friendly practices such as recycling, composting, and donating leftovers. Opt for a location that is LEED-certified, uses renewable energy sources, and gives back to the local community.
• Keep your guest list small to reduce the environmental impact of travel. If possible, choose a venue that is easily accessible for most of your guests to minimise car or air travel.
• Use digital tools for planning and organisation instead of printing unnecessary documents. Utilise apps, Dropbox, Google Drive, or Evernote to organise your wedding plans.
• Choose caterers who source ingredients from local farms and reduce food waste. Opt for a plated dinner over a buffet to minimise leftovers.
• Donate leftover food to local food kitchens or charities if possible, rather than throwing it away.
• Choose sustainable floral practices. Ask your florist to design foam-free arrangements and use locally available, seasonal flowers to reduce the carbon footprint.
• Opt for digital invitations and save-the-dates instead of printed ones. If you do use printed invitations, print them on plantable seed paper or recycled paper.
• Create a well-informed wedding website and put all the necessary information there, reducing the need for extra paper.

Decor and Attire

• Incorporate natural elements in your wedding details, such as using real leaves as place cards.
• Choose reusable signage options such as chalkboards or acrylic pieces instead of printing hundreds of paper menus or programs.
• Upcycle items from around your home or recycling bin to create unique and affordable decorations, such as glass jars, wine bottles, or tin cans.
• Buy used wedding decor from local buy/sell groups or Facebook Marketplace.
• Select organic and reusable materials for your decor, such as cloth napkins made from linen, bamboo, or organic cotton instead of disposable paper napkins.
• Resell or donate wedding decorations after the wedding to give them a second life.
• Choose eco-friendly and conflict-free options for your wedding rings and jewellery. Consider lab-grown diamonds, vintage rings, or designers who use recycled or fair-trade metals and ethical stones.
• Opt for pre-owned, rented, or locally made wedding dresses to reduce waste and crazy international shipping fees.
• Rent or buy dishware instead of using disposable options. If you must use disposables, choose biodegradable options like bamboo tableware or compostable plates.

Food and Drinks

• Opt for a vegan or vegetarian menu to reduce the environmental impact of your wedding meal.
• Source your alcohol from local wineries, distilleries, and breweries to support local businesses and reduce transportation emissions.
• Ask your baker to use organic, local, and Fairtrade ingredients for your wedding cake and incorporate seasonal fruits.
• Use biodegradable confetti, flower petals, or birdseed for your grand wedding exit instead of paper confetti or sparklers.

Gretna Green weddings

The Famous Blacksmiths Shop is a popular choice for Gretna Green weddings, with its world-famous Anvil where couples can have their iconic anvil ceremony. The Blacksmiths Shop is a 5-star visitor attraction, with a museum, a courtship maze, and Scottish gifts and luxury brands shopping. Smiths Hotel, located adjacent to the Blacksmiths Shop, is also a popular accommodation choice for Gretna Green wedding packages and wedding receptions.

Gretna Hall Historic Marriage House is another popular venue for Gretna Green weddings. It is part of a local fifth-generation family business and has been at the heart of Gretna Green weddings since 1885. Gretna Hall offers three beautiful, historic wedding venues: the Courtyard Room, the Old Coach House, and The Cottage. The hotel is set in 10 acres of landscaped gardens, with ornamental ponds, gazebos, and a kissing gate, providing the perfect romantic backdrop for weddings and stunning photos.

The Green Wedding in *Pride and Prejudice*

Gretna Green was conveniently located on the main route from London to Edinburgh, making it an ideal spot for young couples to run away and marry across the border. The village gained a reputation as a place for "runaway marriages," with its local blacksmith and his anvil becoming symbols of these unions.

In the end, Lydia Bennet and George Wickham are found cohabitating in London, having not reached Gretna Green as intended. This elopement causes some scandal, as Lydia is only sixteen, and Wickham is a militia officer known for his irresponsible behaviour. The incident also creates tension within the Bennet family, as Lydia's behaviour reflects poorly on the rest of the family, and her father has to pay off Wickham to agree to the marriage.

The term "Green Wedding" may also evoke the colour green, which often symbolises nature and the natural world. This could be a subtle nod to the English countryside setting of *Pride and Prejudice* and the novel's exploration of social norms and expectations within the context of early 19th-century rural England.

The 'Green Wedding' in *Game of Thrones*

The Green Wedding in *Game of Thrones* is a reference to an event in the fifth episode of *House of the Dragon*, titled "We Light the Way". The episode features a pre-wedding banquet celebrating the union of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon. The colour green is significant in this context, as it is worn by Alicent Hightower, the current queen, who uses her attire to make a statement and upstage the bride.

Alicent's choice to wear a lustrous emerald green dress is interpreted as a symbolic gesture with political implications. The colour is associated with the Hightower family, who are known for their wealth and power. By wearing green, Alicent is not only showcasing her allegiance to her family but also making a bold statement about her position and influence within the royal court.

The Green Wedding is marked by political intrigue and drama, with Alicent's arrival strategically timed to interrupt King Viserys' welcome speech. Her entrance, described as "the most thrilling moment of all five Dragon episodes", underscores her intention to assert her power and influence as queen. Alicent's actions during the Green Wedding highlight her embrace of political manoeuvring, marking a shift from her previous role as a dutiful daughter, wife, and mother.

The colour green takes centre stage at the Green Wedding, serving as a visual symbol of Alicent's ambition and a harbinger of the impending civil war. The episode, with its focus on the colour green, showcases the complex dynamics within the royal court and sets the stage for the political conflicts to come. While the Green Wedding does not culminate in the killing of a king, it nevertheless serves as a pivotal moment in the series, influencing the course of future events.

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