Green Wedding: Simple Tips For Less Waste

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, and with sustainability in mind, it can be even more challenging. However, it is important to consider the environmental impact of this special day, as the average wedding produces around 400 pounds of garbage and emits about 60 tons of carbon dioxide. From invitations to decorations, food, and transportation, there are many opportunities to make eco-conscious choices.

One way to reduce waste is to opt for electronic invitations and save-the-dates, or choose recycled, bamboo, or seeded paper. When it comes to decor, renting items or using potted plants as centrepieces can be more sustainable than single-use plastic decorations. For a natural and biodegradable alternative to confetti, dried flower petals or leaves are a great option. Choosing local and in-season flowers for bouquets and arrangements can also reduce the carbon footprint of your big day.

Transportation and travel contribute significantly to a wedding's carbon emissions. To reduce this impact, consider hosting the ceremony and reception at the same venue, and encourage guests to use public transportation or carpool to the event. When it comes to food, opting for local, seasonal, and plant-based options can significantly reduce the environmental impact, as well as reduce food waste.

There are many creative ways to make your wedding more sustainable, from attire to favours, and by making conscious choices, you can have a positive impact on the planet while still celebrating your love in style.

Choose eco-friendly attire

Choosing eco-friendly attire is an important way to reduce the environmental impact of your wedding. Here are some tips to help you make more sustainable choices when it comes to what you and your wedding party will wear:

Buy Second-Hand or Rent Your Wedding Attire

A great way to be more eco-conscious with your wedding attire is to buy second-hand or rent your outfit. This reduces the demand for new clothing to be produced, which can be resource-intensive and generate a lot of waste. Websites like stillwhite.com offer pre-owned wedding dresses, or you could even upcycle an old dress or design your own using sustainable materials. For suits, the groom and groomsmen can wear outfits they already own or rent them. This not only reduces waste but can also save money.

Choose Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Materials

When purchasing new wedding attire, look for dresses and suits made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials. Satins, hemp-based silks, organic cotton knitted lace, and fairtrade products are all common options for modern wedding attire. You can also opt for recycled materials, such as recycled polyester and organic cotton blends. By choosing these materials, you can look good on your big day and feel good about the environmental impact of your outfit.

Encourage Your Wedding Party to Dress Sustainably

If you want to take your eco-friendly wedding attire to the next level, encourage your wedding party to dress sustainably as well. This could include bridesmaids choosing their own dresses, which they are more likely to wear again or rent. You can provide a color palette or length guidelines while still allowing them to make eco-conscious choices. Groomsmen can also wear suits they already own or rent, reducing waste and costs.

Donate or Sell Your Wedding Attire After the Big Day

After your wedding, consider donating or selling your wedding dress instead of letting it sit in your closet. There are websites where you can sell pre-owned wedding dresses, or you could donate it to a good cause. This gives your dress a second life and prevents it from ending up in a landfill. You can also apply this principle to other wedding attire, such as bridesmaids' dresses and groomsmen's suits, to further reduce waste.

Opt for Eco-Friendly Accessories

It's not just the outfit itself that can be eco-friendly; you can also choose sustainable accessories. This includes shoes you already own or will wear again, avoiding the garter, and choosing ethically sourced jewelry. You can even opt for wooden wedding bands or recycled stones and metals for your rings. These choices will reduce the environmental impact of your wedding attire and showcase your commitment to sustainability.

Opt for local, seasonal food

Opting for local, seasonal food is one of the best ways to make your wedding more eco-friendly. Food is a major contributor to the carbon footprint of a wedding, and choosing local, seasonal options can significantly reduce emissions and support local farmers.

Firstly, consider the environmental impact of the food you serve. Beef is one of the most carbon-intensive foods, with a carbon footprint of about 99 kg CO2e per kilogram. Chicken has a smaller footprint at around 8.34 kg CO2e per kilogram, but vegetables, grains, and pulses have very low carbon emissions. By choosing a menu with local, seasonal produce and less meat, you can drastically reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding.

For example, you could offer a vegetarian or vegan menu, which is more inclusive and better for the planet. According to the Environmental Working Group, a vegetarian menu can reduce food-related emissions by 75%, while vegan options can cut them by 90%. If a fully plant-based menu isn't for you, consider making meat a side dish or only serving it upon request.

Additionally, an estimated 10% of wedding food goes to waste, so be sure to keep your caterer informed of your final headcount and any dietary restrictions. Ask your venue and caterer about their plan for leftovers, such as allowing guests to take them home or donating extra food to shelters. You could also take leftovers home or donate them to a food bank or community garden.

Choosing local, seasonal food doesn't just reduce your carbon footprint; it also supports local farming communities and increases the likelihood that others in your community will be able to source produce locally in the future. So, when planning your wedding menu, opt for local, seasonal food to make your special day more sustainable.

Reduce travel emissions

Travel is one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions at weddings, so reducing travel emissions is a great way to make your wedding more eco-friendly. Here are some tips to help you reduce travel emissions for your big day:

• Choose a local venue: Opting for a venue that is easily accessible for you and your guests will reduce the need for long-distance travel. Consider venues within walking distance or a short drive from where most of your guests are based.
• Combine the ceremony and reception: Hosting both the ceremony and reception at the same venue eliminates the need for guests to travel between locations, reducing carbon emissions.
• Provide group transportation: Organise group transportation for your guests, such as a shuttle bus or carpooling. This reduces the number of cars on the road and can be a fun way for guests to travel together.
• Encourage eco-friendly travel: Suggest eco-friendly travel options for your guests, such as carpooling, public transportation, or even biking or walking if the venue is close by.
• Keep it local: If possible, choose a venue that is local to you and your partner. This reduces the need for long-distance travel for the wedding party and can make the event more intimate and personal.
• Limit out-of-town guests: While you may want to invite extended family and friends, consider limiting the number of out-of-town guests to reduce travel emissions. This can be a tough decision but will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding.
• Host a virtual option: For guests who cannot attend in person, consider offering a virtual option for the ceremony. This reduces the need for travel and allows faraway guests to still be a part of your special day.

Use recycled paper products

Using recycled paper products is an effective way to reduce waste at your wedding. From invitations to thank-you cards, there are many opportunities to incorporate eco-friendly paper options. Here are some ways to use recycled paper products for a more sustainable celebration:

Invitations and Stationery

One of the earliest interactions your guests will have with your wedding is through the invitations. Opting for recycled paper invitations is a great way to showcase your commitment to sustainability. Many companies offer elegant and modern designs printed on recycled paper, allowing you to set the tone for your wedding while being environmentally conscious. You can also design your own invitations on platforms like Canva and have them printed on recycled paper. This way, you can personalize your invites while being kind to the planet.

Additionally, you can go beyond invitations and choose recycled paper for other wedding stationery, such as RSVP cards, save-the-date cards, place cards, and menus. By using recycled paper for all your wedding stationery, you can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your celebration.

Plantable Paper Products

Take your eco-friendliness a step further by choosing plantable paper products. These unique options are made from seed paper, allowing your guests to plant the paper in their garden after receiving the invitation. As a result, your invitation will transform into beautiful flowers or plants, creating a lasting memory of your wedding. Companies like Botanical PaperWorks and Little Green Paper Shop offer elegant and rustic designs that will impress your guests.

Thank-You Cards

After your wedding, you'll likely want to express your gratitude to your guests and those who helped make your day special. Thank-you cards are a traditional way to do this, and you can make them more sustainable by using recycled paper. Companies like Paper Culture offer thank-you cards made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper, ensuring that your appreciation for your guests doesn't come at the expense of the environment.

Printing Photos

Lastly, consider using recycled paper when printing your wedding photos. After the big day, you'll want to cherish the memories by printing and displaying your favourite photos. By printing them on recycled paper, you can enjoy your photos while being mindful of the environment. Some companies, like Paper Culture, even plant a tree for every order, so you can actively contribute to reforestation while celebrating your love.

Donate leftovers

Donating leftovers is a great way to reduce waste at your wedding. It's estimated that 10% of wedding food goes to waste, so it's important to plan ahead to minimise this.

Firstly, ensure you provide your caterer with an accurate headcount and inform them of any dietary restrictions. This will help to ensure that food isn't wasted. You could also consider reducing or eliminating meat from the menu, as meat has a larger carbon footprint than plant-based dishes.

Secondly, ask your venue and caterer about their policy on leftovers. Many sustainable catering companies will offer uneaten food to food banks or charities. You could also ask if staff would like to take some food home.

Finally, consider providing guests with containers to take leftovers home with them. This is a great way to ensure food isn't wasted, and it also means your guests get to enjoy your wedding meal all over again!

Frequently asked questions