Your wedding should be a reflection of who you are, your values and your lifestyle. With the rise in global awareness towards environmental issues, it is no surprise that more couples are incorporating eco-friendly elements into their big day. According to The Knot’s 2019 Real Weddings Study, 39% of couples actively looked for vendors who specialized in sustainability. Creating an eco-friendly wedding does not mean compromising on style or elegance. With careful planning and the right choices, you can have a beautiful wedding that leaves a lasting impression without leaving a carbon footprint.
Choosing Your Sustainable Venue
Selecting the venue is one of the most significant choices you will make for your wedding. Choose a place that values sustainability as much as you do. Historic buildings, environmentally friendly hotels, and outdoor locations such as botanical gardens or national parks often have green practices already in place. Read on, you might also consider hosting your ceremony and reception at the same location to reduce transportation emissions.
Opting for Local Providers
Select suppliers from your area or regions nearby for sustainable sourcing. Choosing local providers reduces transportation emissions and supports local businesses. This idea extends to caterers, florists, photographers and even bridal shops.
Choosing Seasonal Food
When it comes to catering, opt for seasonal and locally sourced foods. They are not only fresher but also require less energy to produce and transport than out-of-season produce that are transported long distances.
Eco-Friendly Invitations
Consider digital invitations or those made from recycled paper when inviting guests to your green wedding. Even better, you could choose plantable paper embedded with seeds that guests can grow into flowers after reading.
Low-Impact Transportation
Encourage guests to carpool or use public transportation to reduce carbon emissions. As for your own arrival, think vintage bicycles or a horse and carriage as alternative transportation means for a touch of romance and fun.
Responsible Dress Code
When it comes to bridal fashion, go for sustainable brands or even second-hand dresses. Choose designers who use environmentally friendly fabrics and ethical manufacturing processes. Renting tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen is another eco-friendly option.
Sustainable Flowers
Instead of imported flowers, work with a florist who can source locally grown blooms. Another great alternative is to use potted plants or herbs in your décor which can serve double-duty as gifts for your guests.
Biodegradable Confetti
Rice or paper confetti might be traditional but they are not exactly eco-friendly. Opt instead for biodegradable confetti such as dried flower petals – equally stunning but far kinder to the Earth.
Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors
Choose meaningful wedding favors that will not end up in the landfill. Seed packets, organic soap, or personalized bamboo utensils make practical and eco-conscious gifts.
Waste-Free Catering
Avoid single-use plastics wherever possible – choose reusable dishware, cutlery and glasses. Make sure your caterer understands and supports your green ethos.Get in touch with local food shelters that can donate leftover food from your reception.
Green Registry Ideas
Create a registry that reflects your commitment to sustainability. This could include donations to favorite charities, experiences over objects or items from ethical retailers.
Sustainability-Minded Honeymoons
Your commitment to the environment should not end once the last of your wedding cake is eaten. Choose an eco-friendly destination for your honeymoon, like a resort that practices sustainability or a location dedicated to nature conservation.
Reducing Energy Use
Be energy efficient with your lighting designs. Use LED lights, candles or solar-powered lanterns to create affordable and romantic atmospheric lighting that uses less energy.
Thoughtful Reuse and Recycling
Plan all aspects of your wedding with reuse or recycling in mind. From using hay bales as seating at an outdoor wedding, which can later be used as compost, to choosing decorations which could be repurposed in the home or donated afterwards.
Moving Forwards Together
An eco-friendly wedding is only the beginning of a joint journey towards green living. Sustainability is a lifestyle choice that demands thoughtfulness. As you walk into this new chapter together, consider taking small steps towards environmental stewardess like setting up compost bins at home, reducing single-use plastics or supporting brands committed to sustainability.