What's Black & White and Green All Over? A Zebra Crossing Wedding!

Beth Richardson and Steven Kent were married on March 1, 2008 at Duke Gardens in Durham, NC.

The couple met in South Africa, while Beth was working at the Amy Biehl Foundation helping artisans start small businesses.

In 2005, Beth started Zebra Crossings, a fair trade wedding boutique whose mission is to provide couples with "unique handmade items that improve the lives of the producers who make them and whenever possible preserve the health of our environment." Beth and Steven used many of Zebra Crossing's products in their own wedding - and generated over 200 hours of employment for artisans in developing countries in the process! "We felt it would be appropriate for our wedding celebration support artisans like those that were the reason that we met in the first place."

Here are some of the Fair Trade highlights:

1. Beth and Steven announced their wedding electronically using Zebra Crossing e-stationary.

2. For their invitations, Beth and Steven used these beautiful Bodhi leaf cards (made from tree-free paper) with a bamboo stick closure.

3. Their programs and menus came from Nepalese Paper and their place cards and table numbers came from Cards From Africa. Both fair trade stores offer handmade recycled paper stationary.

4. Their guestbook was handmade in India with tree-free paper.

5. Beth gave her bridesmaid's (pictured below holding bouquets of snapdragons, daylilies, and irises from Tre Bella Flowers & Gifts) luxurious all-natural Indian silk shawls to match their dresses.

6. Beth's diamond ring is certified conflict-free and their wedding bands were handmade by artists in South Africa.

8. Each guest received a fair trade, hand-beaded zebra keychain from South Africa.

9. Even the topper on their zebra striped cake was fair trade!

10. Finally, to ensure that the gifts purchased for their wedding were in line with their values and beliefs, Beth and Steven set up a registries with Global Exchange, Gaiam, and The I Do Foundation.

To learn more about fair trade visit the Fair Trade Federation's website and be sure to check out Zebra Crossings to find more fair trade products for your wedding.

Finger Puppets available at Zebra Crossings

Photo Credit: Steve McCaw