You don’t have to get married in the dark or do your reception toast in a Keep-Cup to have an eco-friendly wedding. It’s important to be conscious of the waste products your wedding generates because they can seriously add up! Maybe surprisingly, “sustainable” doesn’t mean losing out on all the special details you’ve had in mind. And, whilst it helps to keep the Mother of the Bride happy, you can relax knowing you’re doing your part to keep Mother Earth happy too. We’ve compiled a collection of innovative eco-friendly ideas for your day that aren’t rubbish, literally.
See more from Candace and Kodan’s rustic DIY wedding here
The Venue…
Choose a venue that takes sustainability seriously! Do they conserve water? Use solar power? What exactly is their carbon-footprint like? You just have to ask the questions. Generally, if they boast about being green without asking, they’re probably pretty good at it. Simple considerations like having your ceremony and reception in the same location also cut out travelling emissions. These little things can really add and reduce your environmental impact.
Fall in love with Lara and Dave’s serene rose garden wedding
The Flowers…
Although flowers add some extra magic to a wedding, a lot of those available today are imported and chemically enhanced for smell, colour and preservation. Source flowers from local growers, use in-season blooms and biodegradable mounting products over floral foam for a big pat on the back from the environment. You can also capitalise on companies that pick up and reuse your floral displays. Bloomerent, for example, takes your centrepieces for other upcoming events. You can also switch out the floral bouquet entirely for alternatives like local greenery, succulents, shells, beads, or parasols, which add a unique charm to your ceremony.
Via Chic Rustique
The Invitations…
What better way to save on paper than using a website for invitations. Soaring in popularity, the ease of notifying guests and receiving instant RSVP’s without compromising taste or theme, websites like Zola or Joy, let you upload photos and customise to the palette of your day. Good for the environment, good for your sanity. However, if the appeal of paper invites is too tough to pass up, think about using recycled paper or even seed paper, which guests can bury to grow plants.
Via Zola
The Little Details…
Providing metal straws that guests can take home, placing recycle bins around the venue (not necessarily your typical street bin), or creating confetti from leaves, flower petals, herbs, or feathers can minimise the often-forgotten litter that doesn’t easily decompose. Hiring bridesmaid dresses, equipment, tableware or one-off decorative pieces allows them to be reused by brides for years to come. You can also donate your pieces to thrift shops to avoid adding to landfills, or just thrift it to begin with! Many op-shops provide an array of decorative glasses and furniture to truly make a venue your own.
The Favours…
Gone are the days of single-use plastic gifts that are packed away in cupboards or left on the table at the reception. Think outside the box, or ditch the packaging entirely for succulents, homemade jam, local honey, fair-trade coffee beans or organic soap, which are not only eco-friendly but provide a gorgeous aesthetic to any wedding.
Find out how to make your own personalised DIY wedding favours here
The Tables…
The inevitable of all weddings is having mouths to feed, and the inevitable of that is a few too many leftovers. Sourcing local and sustainable ingredients lessens the carbon-footprint and individually plated meals over buffet style service minimises waste. Feed the staff, allow guests to take food home, ask the venue about composting or donate to a shelter to really make the most of your catering.
See how Jessie and Lindsay combined city and nature for a vegan inspired wedding
The Honeymoon…
Thinking beyond the big day, your sustainable choices can extend into the wonders of your honeymoon with a plethora of luxurious destinations boasting some pretty conscious credentials. Resorts that donate to local sustainability efforts, or use environmentally friendly practices cover the globe from Mallorca to Mexico.
Be inspired by Nelly and Mark’s island wedding
Get more cool and creative wedding ideas here!
