Weddings and the parties that follow usually leave a mountain of waste in their wake. Now an increasing number of couples are seeking ways to make their nuptials more environmentally friendly.
Some are trying to reduce leftover food and giving "hikidemono" presents featuring organic materials. Hikidemono is the customary thank-you gift to be taken home by wedding guests.
One unique example of a green nuptial was designed by Shigeru Komori, 42, an official of the Environment Ministry, and Tomoko Hoshino, 40, who works for the Global Environment Outreach Center run by United Nations University.