This post was written by Cora Gold, a sustainable living blogger and editor of Revivalist magazine. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter.
Weddings deserve to be celebrated in style, but unfortunately, this can come with a high environmental price tag. Many things may only be used once, and lots of trash will be generated during the reception.
However, it is possible to make your special day eco-friendly. Here are 15 tips to inspire you to celebrate your love sustainably.
Buy Ethically Sourced Diamonds
A sustainably sourced diamond requires ethical sourcing, such as a lab-grown jewel made using environmentally friendly practices or a recycled precious stone that has been reset, reused or resized. It’s essential to know the origins of diamonds when shopping for engagement or wedding rings to buy something you’re comfortable with.
Send Digital Invitations
Go paperless when inviting friends and family to your wedding. Digital invitations make great alternatives to traditional paper versions because they’re free to create and send. You can save money and trees simultaneously.
You can still opt for a paper invite if you want to give special guests a memento. Make them sustainable by using recycled paper.
Keep Your Wedding Intimate
Scale back your wedding celebration and only invite those that matter most to you and your partner. Set criteria for people you want to include on your guest list. For instance, you can exclude children, your parents’ friends and plus ones.
Ceremony-only invites are also worth considering if you have a large family or group of friends. You can offer light snacks and refreshments before the event.
Opt for Eco-Friendly Blooms
Most brides’ bouquets tell an interesting story about their personality or relationship. However, creating them may entail ordering blooms from overseas or cutting plants, which aren’t the best choices for the planet.
Choosing locally sourced and in-season flowers is an eco-friendly option to help you achieve the bouquet of your dreams. This supports local florists and the planet
Choose Suppliers Wisely
Ask your venue coordinator to connect you with suppliers with environmentally friendly business practices and resources for a successful green wedding. Here are some tips to help you connect with the right vendors:
- Consider local suppliers: Professionals with enough experience working at your chosen venue can smooth the planning process.
- Ask the right questions: Ensure the venue makes appropriate suggestions that align with your values. Ask about their experience working on sustainable weddings, food waste policy, vegan options and partnering with green organisations.
- Do your research: Scroll through eco-friendly wedding directories and read reviews to gauge if suppliers can achieve your vision.
Set up a Charity Registry
Creating a wedding registry may be exciting, but if you value sustainability and giving back to the community, consider replacing your wedding registry with a small donation drive. This allows your guests to give to foundations you support, especially initiatives focusing on environmental and animal welfare.
Avoid Single-Use Plastics
Plastic straws, bottles and other single-use products significantly contribute to pollution. Opt for items made from recycled materials or rent glassware. Instead of using rice, confetti or bubbles, utilise dried flowers, seed paper, fresh petals or leaf cutouts during your wedding ceremony exit.
Repurpose Your Mom’s Wedding Dress
Brides typically spend between $1,800 and $2,400 on their gowns. Consider repurposing your mother’s wedding dress if you want to use that money elsewhere. Have it professionally cleaned and repaired if necessary and add personal touches, like lace or jewels, to make it uniquely yours. That way, you can save money, help the planet, and pay tribute to your mother’s treasured piece.
You can consign your dress after the wedding to support sustainability. It’s an eco-friendly way to save the gown because you can reduce waste and give other brides a chance to make beautiful memories without spending too much.
Rent Your After-Party Dress
Like choosing to reuse a wedding gown over buying a brand new one, rental is also an excellent option for sustainable brides. While not mandatory, an after-party dress lets you dance and mingle with guests comfortably. Visit your favourite rental shop to find the perfect garb for your celebration.
Thrift Wedding Decorations
Visit thrift stores to find unique items that make great decorations. Search for linens, tablecloths, vases and lamps in your favourite shops. Online spaces like Facebook Marketplace are also excellent platforms for vintage glassware.
When thrift shopping, remember to be mindful of what you buy. Ensure items are not damaged — no one wants to drink from a glass with a chip in it.
Consider Eco-Friendly Transportation Options
Transportation accounted for 29% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2021. Help preserve air quality by encouraging your guests to carpool. Consider van rentals for relatives to eliminate the need to travel in separate vehicles. That way, they can also save on gas fees.
Select a Plant-Based Menu
A plant-based menu is the perfect way to go when it comes to sustainable food. However, you’ll still want to honour your values while appeasing your guests. Hire a caterer who can make vegan an enjoyable experience for everyone, and sample the food with your close friends so you can verify if they’ll love it or not.
Reduce Food Waste
Big celebrations usually produce leftovers. Reduce food waste on your big day by choosing plated dinners. If you opt for a buffet, speak with your caterer about saving leftovers and packing excess. You can donate extra food to your chosen charity or shelter afterwards.
Gift Eco-Friendly Products
Wedding favours can be fun to pick out, but unfortunately, many of them are left behind on the table or thrown out later. In reality, your guests will probably not want a shot glass with your wedding date on it – leading those personalised items to end up in thrift stores or landfills within a few years. Instead, consider going with favours that are less likely to be wasted. Edible favours, like candy, are great because guests can eat them immediately. If you do go with something like a shot glass or a candle, avoid personalising it.
Have a Tree Planting Ceremony
Planting a tree symbolises the start and growth of your new journey together as a married couple. It’s also a great way to pay tribute to nature. Add a tree-planting ceremony to your wedding day to bring more meaning to your celebration.
Plan a Green Wedding
A sustainable wedding makes a unique celebration that your guests and the planet will appreciate. Implement these tips into your planning so you and your future spouse can tie the knot guilt-free and full of love for each other and the Earth!
