by Fran @ Hitched Taking the time to make wedding invitations instead of buying them can save couples money as well as help to preserve the environment, it has been suggested.

Speaking to abc27 News, green coach Susan Kiskis recommended using recycled paper to make the cards instead of purchasing them from a shop.

She also reminded brides that hosting a sustainable wedding has many benefits.

"You're going to have a gorgeous wedding and it's going to be socially responsible and eco-friendly and save lots of money," Ms Kiskis explained.

Offering some other green suggestions, she advised buying fresh-cut flowers from a local farmer or using sachets of lavender as wedding favours, as these can be used in tumble dryers to keep clothes smelling fresh.

One way in which brides could help the environment when they walk down the aisle is to don the dissolvable wedding dress created by a group of students at Sheffield Hallam University.

The frock was made from polyvinyl alcohol – a biodegradable substance – and was designed for an exhibition called A Sustainable Marriage.

Wedding invitations are the first step towards filling your wedding with friends and family. Make sure you do it right by getting the wedding invitations right.