You shouldn’t have to sacrifice on your personal style in order to be sustainable. Planning an environmentally friendly wedding does not have to be completely overwhelming! With these tips and tricks, you can not only enjoy a ‘green’ wedding but inspire other couples to do the same! Check out how to keep your wedding environmentally friendly!
Via Open Air Events
Recycl-ring
You can incorporate sustainability long before the big day arrives with your choice of rings! Mining of diamonds and gemstones has long had a history with conflict trade and poor environmental practice. Buying conflict-free, recycled diamonds and metals is a fantastic way to integrate sustainability into your engagement and wedding. Lab-developed stones are another excellent and affordable way to stay environmentally friendly. Purchasing vintage rings or redesigning existing rings is another way to include sentiment and family history in your endeavours to be sustainable!
Via Gabriel & Co
Bus Or Train Or Car Or Plane…
When deciding on your location, it is important to consider the emissions involved with travel. After all, your guests have to get to your dream destination! In particular, flying and travelling great distances in cars greatly contributes to environmental damage. If torn between locations, consider the area that requires the fewest plane or car journeys. Opting for an outdoor space is not only means being one with nature but also provides natural and beautiful decor that doesn’t need to be cut down to be utilised! Having your ceremony or reception in a national park is not only useful for its picturesque landscape, but you aid in the funding for its conservation.
Fresh Floral Fashion…
Flowers bring such life to a wedding and integrate personal style, colour and emotion into weddings, however, freshly cut plants aren’t the best for the environment. Consider using potted flowers, such as orchids or spray roses, that have a long life and can be reused at home after the event. If you do opt for cut flowers, choose seasonal blooms that are locally grown to reduce the wastage in transport. Some florists event compost your arrangements after so be sure to ask! Succulents are also great table decor that can be taken home by your guests and kept long after the event.
Via Fine Stems
To Buffet, Or Not To Buffet…
When serving food, it is important to ensure you’re catering to all your guest’s needs whilst remaining environmentally aware. In deciding between buffet or plated dinners, consider the amount of wastage involved in buffets. Choosing a catering company that composts waste, supports local farmers with sustainable and ethically-produced ingredients can significantly reduce the impact of your wedding. Locally sourced food requires far less shipping wastage and is the freshest option! Similarly, opting for an entire vegetarian or vegan menu, or even 50% vegetarian can make a massive difference in reducing emissions. Sourcing alcohol from local wineries is another fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint. Seeking natural, organic bottles, or even avoiding single-serve packaging to reduce waste in your alcohol is also very environmentally beneficial!
Via Lilly Red
The Environmental-vite
Invitations can produce mass waste, so it’s important to consider minimising the environmental impact. With so many gorgeous options of recycled paper and eco-friendly printing methods, it’s not difficult to find the perfect style for you that is both sustainable and gorgeous! Another great idea to get your guests involved in sustainable practices is using plantable paper! These invitations are a biodegradable material that sprout into flowers when planted. What a lovely way to invite your guests! Printing on recycled paper, or alternative materials like upcycled fabric, leather and wood is another way to reduce waste.
Via The Amyverse
Dream Dress…
When choosing your dream dress, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest bridal trends and fads. Instead, consider timeless pieces that have stayed relevant through all the crazes. A second hand or vintage dress is not only far more affordable but gives a pre-loved dress a second life. If you’re still craving that new gorgeous style, make the shift to only working with ethical designers that source sustainable fabrics and practice fair conditions for their employees. Fast fashion is a huge contributor to pollution and water usage. Looking for local, sustainable designers reduces your impact immensely.
Via Dimitra Designs
Rent Or Buy…
A simple way to reduce wastage at your wedding is to avoid purchasing unnecessary items. A great way to incorporate the items you want, yet remain sustainable, is renting decor. Opting for recyclable and reusable items such as glassware is far less wasteful. If you do want to purchase pieces, ensure you select decor items you’ll actually want in your home. Ditch the sparklers and glowsticks and opt for biodegradable confetti. This can be dried flowers like lavender, rose petals and leaves that add the benefit of stunning colours without the waste!
Ditch Gifts…
Ditch the gifts in your registry and instead opt for charity wedding favours. This is a fantastic way to get your guests involved in making a difference; donating to animal welfare funds and Greenpeace are just a few great examples. Registering non-tangible items is a great way to cut down on wasteful packaging as well. Instead ask for gift cards, honeymoon experiences etc. When registering your sustainable gifts, you’re likely to inspire other couples to do the same!
Via Peppers
Check out more tips and tricks for an environmentally friendly wedding here!
