Who or what has inspired your work?

"Having run an online charity wedding list for the past three years (www.weddinglistgiving.com) and attended many wedding fairs to promote the scheme I have been very aware of the excess surrounding weddings.

Weddings can cost a fortune, but much of the money is spent on disposable items - used for only one day. Weddings themselves have a huge implication for the environment - travel, waste (bottles, food, etc.) and I felt that it was high time for a Wedding List Provider who supplies green and fair traded products to enter the market amongst the mass-manufactured imported wedding list suppliers.

Therefore, I set up Our Green Wedding List (www.ourgreenweddinglist.com)."

Why do you think couples should have a natural wedding?

"I think that marriage represents a starting point - a new chapter. In many cases, couples intend to have children - or will already have children, and therefore, marriage is a forward-looking occasion. It is important that couples start their married life in a positive way, with a view to safeguarding the environment for their future and the future of their children.

Green or natural weddings cost no more than a traditional wedding (in fact, they often cost less) and they are often a lot more personal and creative than traditional weddings with all of the trimmings.

When green options that are of equal quality to maintstream provision are available, and at similar prices, then couples really have no excuse!"

Do you have any advice to give couples planning a natural wedding?

"Just have fun with it! Green favours, green gifts, recycled or second hand wedding dresses, recycled or online wedding invitations, cycling, walking, rickshaws, shared transport, local organic food, and honeymoons in the UK or using boat and train as opposed to air, are all wonderful options for couples who want to have a natural wedding."