A family replaces traditional wedding cards with 400 plants to go green

A new wedding couple from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh has made news after moving away from conventional weddings. The family decided to invite guests with potted plants instead of a wedding card in order to bring awareness among the people towards the environment. They sent invitations to 400 people by writing the name of the bride and groom and the venue on the pots instead of cards at the wedding. Different kinds of plants were planted in these pots eight months ago. 

Hailing from Tulsi Nagar, Bhopal, Prayanshu, son of Rajkumar Kanakane, was married to Sumi Choudhary on 20 November. At first, the family thought that marriage cards should be distributed. In such a situation, Pranshu and his brother Prateek came up with the idea of a “Green invite”. Prateek said to do something different with the wedding invitation in order to make people aware of the importance of the environment. But Pranshu had some challenge to convince his mother for this initiative as his mother was worried about how would he able to invite guests if he is not using cards. It took a while to convince his mother after he successfully convinced his father. 

The brothers then went on to print the information on a potted plant instead of using the traditional wedding card. The potted plant cost them Rs. 68 per piece which was similar to the cost of a card. Moreover, the saplings had an instruction that read, “Do not bring bouquets”. 

Eventually, the idea was unanimously finalized and people were invited by printing the name of the bride and groom and the venue on the saplings planted 8 months ago. They then went to each house with the potted plant. It is obvious that people forget about the cards, but if pots remain in their homes, then the family will always be remembered for their initiative, says Prateek.

(Credits: The Logical Indian)

Prateek, while speaking to the media said they wanted people to understand the idea of going green is feasible and doesn’t cost more. The brothers wanted to motivate others to take up the idea as it is cost-effective and most importantly eco-friendly. 

“There are several benefits to using e-cards. One, the paper won’t be wasted and trees

can be saved. Also, you can save petrol and time. Hence, e-cards are feasible in all ways,” explains Prateek.

Prateek said that we did not get the cards printed. Invited acquaintances and relatives in Bhopal by giving 400 pots. At the same time, we requested outside relatives to come to the wedding through WhatsApp. This experiment was very successful and people appreciated it.

There are several ways that you can go green, but this is also one of the best ways we have ever come across. If you care about the world and want to make a difference, you have to bring more such ideas. What a beautiful idea it is! Bhopal family really deserves praise and we should encourage and implement this idea. It is so easy and so simple, why not go green?

Writer, historian, and activist Dharam Sikarwar is a very active author The Youth. He writes on national and international issues, environment, politics. He is an avid book reader as well.