Those adorable, handmade, painted signs decorating wedding settings have gone green, thanks to artists’ new dedication to using 
eco-friendly materials as they create their personalized signs that brides and grooms adore.
Etsy artist Amanda Barbere, whose Etsy store is called Green Chickens is a fabulous artist that I found, turning reclaimed slabs of wood into magazine-worthy wedding signs. “I use entirely reclaimed wood,” says Barbere. “My largest source is a local non-profit that salvages wood before building are torn down. I brave the maze of wood full of nails and dig to find pieces that will suit my needs. My second source is my father. He is a self-employed contractor and occasionally has things he has salvaged.” These slabs of wood, no matter how small, get a second life as part of happy couples’ dream wedding designs, adored by guests and captured forever in wedding photos and videos. Especially at rustic and outdoor weddings, these signs point the way to the ceremony spot, to the cocktail party gardens, the reception tent, and even make that all-important first impression at the entrances to indoor weddings.
Wedding signs are a lovely way to personalize the wedding from Minute One all the way through the celebration, even pointing guests to the exits.
“Reclaimed wood is considerably more work. Nails have to be removed, then holes have to be filled. I love reclaimed wood because it is a chance to give something a new life. It has character. It is neat to think that some of my signs were once part of a barn, or someone’s home,” says Barbere.
Some wedding couples are even providing their own reclaimed wood to their sign-makers, taking pieces from their home remodel, breaking down a rickety bench or wooden table from their backyard, even asking friends who are demo-ing their wooden sheds or tables if they can take some pieces for their signage.
Barbere’s dedication to eco-friendly wedding décor doesn’t stop with just the wood, though. “All of my signs are painted with non-toxic water-based paint. It cleans up with soap and water while wet, but is extremely durable once dry. My signs that are meant to be used outdoors get extra protection from a water based sealer that protects from water and UV light. I believe that part of being green means making products that won’t need replacing anytime soon.”
Where did the name Green Chickens come from? Barbere says that she started her business by making eco-friendly “Farm Fresh Egg” signs for hobby chicken farmers. And she even extends her green practices into her packaging materials for many of her signs. “All of the paper that I use to wrap my other signs for shipping comes from the paper that wraps parcels of paper bags. The store where my husband works uses paper bags, and the wrapping always went in the trash. Not anymore!”
Barbere’s signs are as eco-friendly as possible, and she’ll personalize signs for you as well.
If you hire another eco-friendly artist to make your wedding signs, always ask about the additional aspects of her business – the paints, the sealants, the packaging. And if you decide to make your own wedding signs out of reclaimed wood, be sure that you are using safe, eco-friendly paints and accents, such as ribbon or lace tie-ons, and that even the poles, stands and chains you use to display or hang your signs are also earth-friendly.
