Many decisions go into planning your wedding, with some being more meaningful than others. Choosing to go eco-friendly for your celebration will be one decision you won’t regret. It adds a sense of responsibility to your event, showing you care for the environment and your future.
Planning a sustainable wedding can have small but long-lasting positive effects on the planet and your local community. Here’s some good news for your event stress levels: eco-friendly often equals budget-friendly.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few tips on how to go green for your big day:
1. Choose a Sustainable Venue and Date
You’ll find many unique wedding venues to make your big day memorable, but don’t forget to consider environmental factors. Heaters and air coolers use up energy and emit greenhouse gasses, so you should avoid using them. Instead, choose an open-air venue and plan for your wedding in the Spring or Fall instead of Summer or Winter.
You can also do your research and find wedding venues with sustainable practices. Many use solar panels, do composting, and have on-site farms.
Picking a place your guests and suppliers won’t have to travel far to will reduce your carbon footprint. A naturally beautiful space will also save on decoration costs, effort, and materials.
2. Go for Local and Organic Suppliers
Choosing a caterer with an organic, farm-to-table menu keeps the food healthy and deliciously fresh. It will also help local farmers and reduce the environmental impact of transporting ingredients. You get similar eco-benefits when patronizing other local businesses.
You may also want to select organic or biodegradable materials for your decor, accessories, and other supplies.
3. Eco-friendly Invites and Fashion Save Money and the Planet
Digital invites result in speedier confirmations and less trash, so e-vite your wedding guests for an eco-win. For physical invitations, opt for recycled or upcycled materials.
Planning a rustic- or boho-styled ceremony? Consider natural fabrics and upcycled accessories for sustainable wedding fashion.
4. Cut Down on Waste—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Incorporate the three Rs into your big day. You may also consider adding another R to your eco-friendly wedding practices: rent! Don’t buy decorations or even dresses, suits, or tuxedos for the wedding party; rent these instead.
- Go with vintage or pre-owned options for your wedding dress and jewelry. According to The Guardian, these make for sustainable pieces because they don’t require new materials to be mined, manufactured, or harvested. They also add a sentimental element to the day and are less likely to come with questions about sustainably and ethically sourced materials.
- Cut down on food waste by opting for classy plated courses instead of a buffet for your reception.
- Select decor that can find new life during or after your celebration. Upcycled items make for great conversation pieces while also reducing waste. Donate potted flowering plants to parks and other public spaces if you don’t want to bring these home. Plus, local flowers and shrubs make for a literal green wedding.
5. Reduce Transportation Costs and Efforts
Stay local to avoid a huge carbon footprint from everyone traveling to witness your big day. You can organize carpools or rent buses to bring your guests to and from your wedding venue.
Also, suppose you booked suppliers who were part of a local cooperative. You could ask them to coordinate transportation to keep costs and emissions down.
6. Give Back to the Earth and Your Community
Leftover food is almost guaranteed at weddings. Consider donating these to local shelters or soup kitchens. Arrange this with your caterer, in case of health regulations about packing up the food. Find out if they can use organic, biodegradable, or reusable packaging for this. If you use cut flowers, donate bouquets and centerpieces to hospitals or nursing homes.
You also can ramp up your eco-efforts with your wedding favors. Give your guests seed packets or donation cards to environmental charities as mementos.
7. Practice Sustainable Gifting
Putting thought into your gift choices ensures those who receive them will keep and use them for a long time. This may not seem eco-friendly, but one-time-use or purely ornamental gifts can lead to lots of trash.
When wrapping presents, use eco-friendly recycled paper. Even recycled craft paper gifts or gift tags can be spruced up with dried or fresh flowers.
Mention these suggestions when sharing your gift registry. You can also request eco-friendly gifts made from organic, recycled, or upcycled materials.
Just a few of the measures above can go a long way to reducing the environmental impact of your big event. By going green for your wedding, you’ll showcase your care for Mother Nature while celebrating your and your partner’s love story and journey forward together.
Related:
Wedding Outfit Ideas
Punta Chiara’s Wedding Dress Trunk Show Returns
Eco Parenting Isn’t As Hard As It Sounds (With Practical Examples)