Not all brides love wedding planning. I didn’t. I mean, I loved getting dolled up. I loved seeing all my loved ones partying in one room. I loved celebrating life with my future partner.

But I hated dealing with all the stress, expectations, and fluff that seem to come with saying ” I do.” Every year the wedding industry generates millions and it seems these millions come from couples spending their money on what they are told a wedding is suppose to be rather than what they may actually want.

So where does a non-traditional bride or groom go to plan, ponder and prepare? I suggest http://www.indiebride.com.

Described as the site for the “indie-minded bride”, the site offers essays, interviews, and the heart of the site it’s kvetch boards where you can post questions and answers. The Kvetch board covers everything from flowers to fidelity, ceremonies to second thoughts, green weddings, alternative weddings, same sex weddings, and good ol’ bitchin’ and moanin’. Check it out at http://www.indiebride.com

Couples are getting creative about how to reduce their carbon footprint as they walk down the aisle. Fox News cites a report from the Knot, a website and publication for wedding planners, which lists some of the more eco-friendly choices: sending e-mail invites; serving local, sustainably grown food; choosing a wedding gown made of all natural fibers; honeymooning at an eco-resort, and hosting “charitable” showers at, say, a soup kitchen. Nice to know that more and more people are saying “I don’t” to needless nuptial excesses when they say “I do.”