Green Wedding: Eco-Friendly Tips For Your Big Day

Planning a wedding can be an exciting but challenging task. If you're looking to make your special day eco-friendly, there are plenty of ways to do so. From choosing the right vendors to opting for sustainable decor and catering options, you can create a memorable celebration while reducing your environmental impact.

One of the simplest ways to make your wedding eco-friendly is to focus on reducing waste. This can include using biodegradable or reusable decor, such as glassware, bunting, macrame, and vintage items. You can also opt for sustainable floral practices by asking your florist to use locally sourced, seasonal flowers and avoid floral foam, which is harmful to the environment.

Another way to make your wedding eco-friendly is to choose a sustainable venue. Look for venues with LEED certification, which indicates energy efficiency, or those that prioritise recycling, composting, and donating leftovers. Additionally, consider the travel impact of your venue; choosing a local option or one that is easily accessible to your guests can reduce carbon emissions.

When it comes to catering, opt for local, seasonal, and sustainably sourced food and beverages. You can also reduce waste by choosing plated meals over buffets, as buffets often result in more food waste. Don't forget to ask your caterer about their practices for handling leftovers, and consider donating any excess food to those in need.

Lastly, pay attention to the small details, such as using digital invitations or printing them on recycled paper, choosing eco-friendly wedding attire, and providing sustainable wedding favours or donating to environmental charities in lieu of favours.

By incorporating some of these ideas, you can have a beautiful and memorable wedding while also being mindful of the environment.

Choose an eco-friendly venue

Choosing an eco-friendly venue is one of the easiest ways to make your wedding more sustainable. Here are some tips to help you select a venue that prioritises sustainability and reduces the environmental impact of your celebration:

Research and ask questions

When searching for a venue, look for one that emphasises sustainability in its operations and marketing materials. Ask the venue coordinator about their sustainability practices and how they reduce their environmental impact. Inquire about their recycling and waste management practices, such as whether they offer recycling or composting bins on-site or recommend a local green trash service. Find out if they have any sustainable features, such as LED lighting or water-saving measures. Ask if they work with local vendors or organisations committed to sustainability and if they are LEED-certified, indicating an efficient and sustainable building.

Opt for an outdoor venue

Outdoor venues, such as gardens, vineyards, or the countryside, can be a more eco-friendly choice as they often have built-in décor and reduce the need for additional cut florals. Getting married outdoors also means you'll use less energy on lighting, taking advantage of the natural sunlight for your ceremony and photos.

Choose a convenient location

Consider a venue that is easily accessible for your guests, especially if most of them are based in the same area. This will help reduce the carbon footprint associated with guest travel, particularly if you can choose a location that minimises the need for air travel or long car journeys.

Source local and seasonal produce

If your venue provides catering, inquire about their food sourcing practices. Opt for venues that source local and seasonal produce, reducing the carbon emissions associated with transporting food over long distances. Also, consider venues that offer vegan or vegetarian menu options, as plant-based meals generally have a lower environmental impact.

Minimise waste

Look for venues that prioritise waste reduction. Ask about their policies on managing leftover food, florals, and décor. Choose a venue that donates unused food to local food banks or composting programs and repurposes or donates leftover florals to hospitals or nursing homes.

Select a multi-purpose space

To reduce emissions from transportation, select a venue that can host both your ceremony and reception. This will eliminate the need for your guests to travel between two separate locations.

Prioritise eco-friendly practices

Prioritise venues that implement eco-friendly practices, such as using biodegradable cleaning products, offering digital invitations, and providing recyclable or reusable items for your event.

By incorporating these considerations into your venue selection process, you can make a significant step towards having a more sustainable wedding celebration.

Opt for sustainable meals

Opting for sustainable meals is a great way to reduce the environmental impact of your wedding. Here are some tips to help you make eco-friendly choices when it comes to catering:

Choose Local and Seasonal Produce

When selecting a caterer, ask about their sourcing practices. Opt for caterers who focus on local, sustainable, and seasonal cuisine. Inquire about the farmers they work with and how they source proteins, seafood, and beef. The more local the produce, the smaller the carbon footprint from long-distance shipping. Supporting local businesses is an excellent way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and benefit the community impacted by your event.

Consider Vegetarian or Vegan Options

If appropriate, consider serving a fully vegetarian or vegan meal. Plant-based meals generally consume fewer resources to produce and do not involve harming animals. You can create delicious and satisfying options without relying heavily on animal products.

Opt for Plated Dinners Over Buffets

While buffets offer a variety of food options, they often result in significant food waste. Plated meals, on the other hand, are planned precisely, reducing waste while improving the chances of donating any leftovers. If you choose a buffet style, arrange for food donation with a local organization to ensure safe leftovers go to those in need.

Choose Sustainable Beverages

The same principles apply to beverages as well. Look for natural, organic, and biodynamic wine options to support environmentally conscious producers. Avoid single-serve packaging, and instead, opt for larger glass bottles like magnums that can be easily recycled.

Reduce Single-Use Items

Avoid single-use items as much as possible. Instead of plastic cups and paper plates, rent or purchase reusable dishware, such as china or compostable bamboo plates and utensils. Opt for linen napkins and tablecloths instead of paper napkins. If you require straws, choose reusable stainless steel, paper, or biodegradable options over plastic.

Donate Leftovers

Any large event will generate leftovers. To reduce waste, ensure you have a plan for leftover food. Speak to your caterer about saving and donating extras to a local food bank or homeless shelter, following the necessary regulations for proper handling and packing.

Send sustainable invites

Invitations are one of the most important parts of a wedding. They set the tone for the event and give guests important information. However, they can also be a major source of waste. Here are some ways to make your wedding invitations more sustainable:

• Digital Invitations: Instead of sending printed invitations, consider sending digital invites or save-the-dates. There are many online options such as Paperless Post, Greenvelope, Lovebird, and Evite. Text My Wedding is another modern approach, allowing you to send invitations and updates via SMS.
• Recycled Paper: If you prefer printed invitations, opt for recycled paper. Paper Culture is a great online option, or you can collaborate with a local stationer to source the right materials.
• Seed Paper: Print your invitations on seed paper, a biodegradable material that sprouts into flowers when planted. Botanical PaperWorks offers custom goods on plantable paper.
• Reduce Printed Items: You don't have to go fully digital, but even reducing the number of printed items can make a difference. Skip the mailed RSVP card and envelope and have guests RSVP online. Provide as much information as possible on your wedding website to eliminate the need for extra information cards.
• Give Back: Look for companies that give back to the environment. For example, Paper Culture plants a tree for every order they receive.
• Rubber Stamp: Instead of printed labels, use a rubber stamp or embosser to add your return address.
• Hand Addressing: Support a small business and add a personal touch by hiring a calligrapher to hand-address your invitations.
• Audio/Video Guestbook: Instead of a traditional bound paper guestbook, try an audio or video version, such as After The Tone or Voast.

By incorporating these ideas, you can make your wedding invitations more sustainable and reduce your environmental impact.

Choose eco-friendly wedding attire

Choosing an eco-friendly wedding outfit is a great way to reduce the environmental impact of your big day. Here are some tips to help you pick the perfect attire while keeping sustainability in mind:

Opt for Second-Hand or Vintage:

Consider buying a pre-owned wedding dress or shopping for vintage options. Websites like Etsy, Nearly Newlywed, Preowned Wedding Dresses, and Once Wed offer a wide range of gently worn gowns, allowing you to find your dream dress without breaking the bank. You can also look for local options, such as Facebook Marketplace or thrift stores, to find unique pieces that fit your style.

Choose Sustainable Brands:

If you prefer to buy a new dress, there are several eco-friendly bridal brands to choose from. Some popular options include Grace Loves Lace, Reformation, Wear Your Love, and The Cotton Bride. These brands often use natural, biodegradable fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, and silk, and incorporate sustainable practices into their manufacturing processes.

Rent Your Attire:

Renting your wedding attire is an excellent way to reduce waste. Websites like Rent the Runway offer designer gowns and accessories for rent, giving you the opportunity to wear your dream outfit without committing to a permanent purchase. This option is especially appealing if you want to wear a high-end designer piece that may be out of your budget to buy.

Shop Local:

Shopping local has multiple benefits. You can cut down on excess packaging and emissions from transportation, and you may even be able to visit the boutique in person, reducing the need for online orders. Supporting local designers and businesses also contributes to a more sustainable economy and helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with shipping.

Choose Natural and Eco-Friendly Fabrics:

When selecting your wedding attire, look for natural, biodegradable fabrics such as organic cotton, linen, silk, or hemp. These fabrics are typically more environmentally friendly than synthetic options and can be more comfortable and breathable for you and your wedding party.

Think About Reusability:

Consider choosing an outfit that you or someone else can wear again. Opting for a dress that can be restyled or dyed can give it a longer lifespan, and you may even be able to incorporate it into your everyday wardrobe. This approach not only reduces waste but also ensures you get more wear out of a beloved outfit.

Remember, when it comes to eco-friendly wedding attire, there are many options to choose from. You can mix and match these suggestions to create a wedding outfit that aligns with your values and style preferences.

Plan an eco-friendly exit toss

Planning an eco-friendly wedding exit toss is a great way to reduce the environmental impact of your big day. Here are some ideas for a nature-friendly send-off that your guests will love:

Lavender Toss

Lavender is a beautiful and eco-friendly option for your wedding exit toss. Not only does it look pretty, but it also has a calming scent that will create a unique sensory experience for your guests. Provide each guest with at least half a cup of lavender to toss, either placed on their chair or handed out at the end of the reception.

Leaf Toss

Leaves are a great eco-friendly exit toss idea because they are natural and biodegradable. Choose leaves that complement your wedding aesthetic, such as olive leaves for an elegant outdoor celebration or fall leaves like oak or maple for an autumnal wedding. You can either use whole leaves or cut them into adorable shapes that match your theme.

Dried Flowers or Herbs

Dried flowers or herbs are a colourful and eco-friendly alternative to fresh flowers, which may not be allowed by some venues due to concerns about their impact on the grass. You can provide your guests with a mix of dried flowers or herbs, such as roses, lavender, sage or mint, which can be pre-set on chairs in paper cones or made available at a self-service station.

Dissolvable Confetti

If you love the look of confetti but want an eco-friendly option, dissolvable confetti is a great choice. You can even make your own biodegradable shimmer confetti at home! This ensures that your wedding exit toss is not only fun and festive but also environmentally conscious.

Rose Petals

Rose petals are a classic and romantic idea for an eco-friendly wedding exit toss. Provide your guests with fresh or freeze-dried rose petals in a variety of colours to shower you and your spouse as you recess up the ceremony aisle.

These ideas will help you create a nature-friendly wedding exit toss that is not only fun and memorable but also kind to the planet.

Frequently asked questions