We may be knee deep in winter, but for couples planning a spring wedding, the countdown has begin. With the growth in the green movement, these days, engaged couples are as likely to share a commitment to recycling, short showers and offsetting their carbon footprints that's as strong as their commitment to one another It's no surprise then, that "green" weddings are all the rage among eco-minded couples.

We asked three of our favorite green wedding gurus for tips on how to reuse old products and incorporate new "green" ones to create an authentically personal wedding that is good to the environment. 

EMILY ANDERSON OF ECO-CHIC WEDDINGS

As the author of a book called Eco-Chic Weddings and the founder of a blog by the same name, Anderson offers ideas and advice for affairs that she calls "ethical, thifty and chic." Before she became an eco-chic authority, Anderson worked in the world of fashion and publishing, at big names such as Donna Karan and Martha Stewart. During her time working for Martha, she was assigned to cover weddings. It was there, while witnessing the inevitable wastefulness of creating a large event, that she realized she had lost touch with the deeply ingrained eco-friendly side of herself. She kicked off a business in eco-design and consulting, and she has never looked back. She practices what she preaches, too: Anderson informed us that for her own wedding, she repurposed the table signs into wall art. She also dyed her wedding shoes green and wears them regularly out on the town. Anderson's top tips for planning an eco-friendly event.

1. "I rarely tell people to buy 'green' products. They can be a little pricey. When I do recommend them, it’s usually household cleaning products, perishables, and beauty products. For me, going to eBay and finding charming, unique products is much better than wearing vegan shoes and washing your hair with soy shampoo."
2. "Stop listening to everyone else! Make up your own rules for your wedding that work for you. You don’t have to buy wedding stuff from 'wedding vendors.' You can find lots of beautiful and charming things from other places."
3. "Try to buy items for your wedding day that you can reuse in your day-to-day over and over again. For example, get a pair of amazing shoes you will wear again and again,
   not just for those six hours. And pick dresses for your bridesmaids that they will actually wear again.

Anderson's eBay Picks

From left to right:

Bulk Flower Seeds (buy it now price, $7.50) "These seeds would be perfect as a little favor for your guests. Put them in small glassine envelopes and add a customized sticker."

Silver Plate Trophy (sold for $100) "Silver trophies would make great vases for your flower centerpieces."

Vintage Continental Geneva Swiss Watch (buy it now price, $510) "This vintage watch would timeless and classic wedding gift from bride to groom."

JENNIFER STAMBOLKSY OF EARTHLY AFFAIR

After noticing a shortage of eco-friendly invitations when she was planning her own wedding, Jennifer Stambolsky, a graphic designer by trade, decided to start her own collection. With Eartly Affair, Stambolsky and her team focus on offering unique and customizable invitations in the most earth-friendly way possible. When it comes to creating eco-friendly paper products, this gal has got it down. Below are her tips. But if you want more from this green wedding smarty, head to her blog, Earth Friendly Weddings.

1. "Paper is the easiest part to control and if you choose right, it’s the most eco-friendly. Personally, I’m a big fan of 100% post consumer recycled paper (which is what we use at Earthly Affair) because it takes advantage of curbside recyclables."
2. "If you are trying to reduce your paper consumption, which many brides are, try R.S.V.P. postcards [instead of notes with envelopes]. Also, try to incorporate a smaller card that directs guests to a personalized wedding website that takes care of all the nitty-gritty details!
3. "Making eco-friendly wedding choices doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. If you to want your dad’s 1965 El Camino (which barely passes emissions) to be the getaway car, then I say go for it! Just make up for it somewhere else, like by  choosing eco-wedding invitations or a vegetarian menu, or by donating to an organization in lieu of favors."

Stambolsky's eBay Picks

From left to right:

Vintage Milk Bottle Vase (buy it now price, $9.99) "This charming vintage milk bottle vase would look beautiful next to a guest book or on a cake table."

Tote Bag (buy it now price, $39.99) "These bags, made out of vintage table clothes, would make for a unique bridesmaid gift!"

Vintage Givenchy Parasol (buy it now price, $24) "Umbrellas and parasols are a popular way for a bride to elegantly shade herself from the sun. This previously owned Givenchy parasol would do the trick perfectly!"

Paige Appel of Bash Eco-Events

Paige Appel was armed with a hefty background in the most complicated of event coordination endeavors, film production, before she decided to get back to basics and start her own eco-event firm, Bash. Appel, whose business is based in L.A., does everything from coordinating eco-weddings and other events to styling photos shoots to blogging. Give this girl an eco-project, and she will tackle it. Behold Appel's eco-tips.

1. "Don’t use plastic! Find anything you that can either be re-used like these champagne glasses, decompose (like corn cups), or is made of post-consumer recycled materials.
2. "Base your event around local vendors and venues that are using green practices. You will both get a lot out of it and walk away feeling good about the unique choices."
3. "You’ll be surprised by how many eco-services are out there. Everything from flowers to lighting to rentals to food and more can be found with a green intention. Seek, or hire a coordinator, and you will find"

Appel's eBay Picks

From left to right:

Vintage Soapstone Hand-Carved Lovebirds (starting bid, $9.99) These soapstone lovebirds would be absolutely adorable as Cake Toppers.

Antique Victorian Flowers Print (buy it now price, $5.50) Antique botanical floral prints would be great instead of traditional table numbers. And, you can keep them for later to frame as well!

Lot of Pearl Vintage Clip-On Earrings (buy it now price, $14.95) These would make for a beautiful bridesmaid gift. Each bridesmaid would feel special wearing a different pair of vintage pearl earrings.

Lexi Green is a Brooklyn-based design, fashion, and shopping writer. She is currently a Master's Degree candidate at Pratt Institutes's environmental sustainability program.