Green Weddings: Fewer Guests, Happier Planet

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but it's also a chance to make choices that are environmentally conscious. One of the simplest ways to make your wedding eco-friendly is to limit the number of guests. Keeping the guest list small reduces waste and allows for a more personal and meaningful celebration. A smaller guest list means you can choose a venue that is local to the majority of your guests, cutting down on carbon emissions from travel. You can also opt for digital invitations to minimize paper waste, and choose local and organic catering options to further reduce your carbon footprint.

Fewer guests = less food waste

One of the biggest contributors to waste at weddings is food. By limiting your guest list, you can significantly reduce the amount of food waste generated.

Buffet vs plated meals

Buffets, while offering a variety of food options, often lead to a lot of food waste. This is because it is difficult to predict exactly how much food will be needed, and leftovers are often not suitable for donation due to food safety regulations.

On the other hand, plated meals are planned out precisely, resulting in less food waste. Any leftovers from plated meals are more likely to be safe for donation, provided they are properly packed and stored.

Food sourcing

Another way to reduce the environmental impact of your wedding is to choose caterers who source food locally and sustainably. Opting for organic, locally sourced, and seasonal ingredients reduces the carbon emissions associated with transportation and supports local farmers and producers.

Vegetarian and vegan options

Consider offering vegetarian or vegan menu options to further reduce the environmental impact of your wedding catering. Plant-based meals require fewer natural resources and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than meat-based dishes.

Leftovers

No matter how carefully you plan, there are likely to be leftovers from your wedding. To reduce waste, consider donating leftover food to local food kitchens or homeless shelters. Alternatively, encourage your guests to take food home in to-go containers.

By implementing these strategies, you can make your wedding more eco-friendly and ensure that less food goes to waste.

Local venues reduce travel emissions

Choosing a local venue is one of the most effective ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding. By selecting a location that is easily accessible to the majority of your guests, you can significantly cut down on travel-related emissions. This not only includes air travel but also car rides, as guests who live nearby are more likely to carpool or use public transportation.

When deciding on a venue, consider the centrality and convenience of the location for your guest list. Opting for a venue that is within driving distance for most guests will make a considerable difference in reducing carbon emissions.

Additionally, choosing a local venue supports independent businesses and boosts the local economy. By working with local vendors and suppliers, you contribute to the success of small businesses and foster a sense of community.

To further reduce travel emissions, you can also encourage guests to use eco-friendly transportation options, such as carpooling or taking public transportation, if feasible.

Limiting the number of guests can also help reduce the environmental impact of your wedding. With fewer guests, you'll have less travel emissions, and you'll also save on costs and venue space!

So, when planning your special day, consider the impact of your venue choice. By selecting a local and central location, you can significantly reduce travel emissions and create a more sustainable celebration.

Eco-friendly invites and stationery

There are several ways to achieve this, from using recycled paper to plantable seed paper and digital invitations, without compromising style or elegance. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Recycled Paper Invitations: Opt for invitations made from recycled paper, which helps reduce the need for new paper production and minimizes waste. You can find recycled paper invitations in various colors, textures, and finishes to match your wedding theme.
• Plantable Seed Paper Invitations: Choose an eco-friendly and unique option with plantable seed paper. This type of paper is biodegradable and contains wildflower seeds or herbs. After the wedding, your guests can plant the invitations and watch them grow into lovely flowers or herbs.
• Digital Invitations: Sending out digital invitations is a convenient and eco-friendly alternative. They can be personalized, interactive, and easily shared with guests via email or wedding websites. Digital invitations are also cost-effective and ideal for destination weddings, as they facilitate communication and RSVP tracking.
• Reusable Invitations: Consider creative options like sending invitations on tea towels or cups, which can be reused as home decor, bookmarks, or for other special occasions.
• Artifact Uprising: This company offers customizable photo prints, cards, and invitations using recycled paper, reclaimed wood, and eco-friendly inks.
• Botanical PaperWorks: They craft unique invitations on biodegradable seed paper made from post-consumer waste. After planting, your invite will grow into wildflowers or herbs.
• Flower Seed Paper: Based in Seattle, Flower Seed Paper offers a wide range of paper goods with handmade seed paper that can be customized to fit your wedding vision.
• Paper Culture: Paper Culture uses 100% post-consumer recycled paper, ensuring no trees are cut down. Each order also plants a tree, contributing to reforestation efforts.
• Greenvelope: Greenvelope specializes in paperless email invitations, saving trees and reducing waste. Their templates feature elegant designs from independent artists.
• ForeverFiances: This company offers plantable wedding invites made from seed paper and non-plantable invites made from 100% recycled paper, with a range of price points to suit different budgets.

Sustainable wedding attire

When it comes to wedding attire, there are many ways to be more eco-friendly and sustainable. Here are some ideas to consider:

Renting, Second-Hand, and Vintage

One of the best ways to be sustainable with wedding attire is to rent your outfit. This is becoming an increasingly popular option, with companies like Rent the Runway offering designer pieces at a fraction of the cost, saving you money and reducing waste. Borrowing Magnolia is another great option, offering popular designer dresses at up to 80% off the original price.

Another option is to buy second-hand. Websites like Etsy, Once Wed, and Still White offer a wide range of pre-loved wedding dresses, while Vestiaire Collective offers pre-owned luxury fashion. You can also check out local vintage shops or Oxfam Shops, which often have unique vintage gowns.

Sustainable Brands

If you want to buy something new, consider purchasing from a sustainable brand. Some brands to check out include:

• Reformation: Known for its commitment to eco-friendly practices, Reformation offers a range of modern and classic styles, including comfortable wrap dresses.
• Whimsy + Row: This brand uses eco-friendly materials like Tencel and Cupro and produces its pieces within miles of its LA studio, ensuring the ethical treatment of workers.
• Christy Dawn: Inspired by California and Mother Earth, Christy Dawn uses organic cotton or deadstock fabric, and their designs reflect a feminine, flowy, boho vibe.
• Mara Hoffman: With a focus on mindful practices, Mara Hoffman uses eco-friendly materials, including GOTS-certified cotton, recycled nylon, and recycled polyester.
• Beaumont Organic: This brand creates simple and light pieces, like the Athea Linen Dress, made from 100% luxury linen.
• Indiebride: Based in London, Indiebride creates handmade, heirloom-quality gowns with timeless elegance and classic silhouettes.

Repurpose and Upcycle

If you buy something new, consider repurposing or upcycling your outfit after the wedding. You can dye or alter it, or even pass it on to another bride-to-be.

Other Tips

• Choose something you can wear again: Opt for a non-traditional wedding outfit that you can wear on multiple occasions, rather than a typical wedding dress that will likely only be worn once.
• Shop local: Support local businesses and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing a local vendor.
• Go digital: Cut down on paper waste by sending digital invitations and using online tools for event planning and guest management.
• Donate: If you're not planning to keep your outfit, consider donating it to a local charity or reselling it online.
• Keep it small: A smaller guest list means less waste. An intimate wedding or elopement can be a more sustainable option.

By incorporating some of these ideas into your wedding planning, you can have a beautiful and eco-friendly celebration.

Green transportation for guests

One of the most significant contributors to a wedding's carbon footprint is guest travel. If you're looking to make your wedding more eco-friendly, limiting the number of guests is a good start, but you can also implement some strategies for green transportation. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Choose a Local Venue: Opt for a venue that is easily accessible for the majority of your guests. This will reduce the need for long-distance travel, especially by plane.
• If your guest list includes many out-of-town guests, consider a destination that is well-connected and served by various transportation options. This will make it easier for guests to travel to your wedding using more sustainable modes of transport.
• Offer Group Transportation: Provide group transportation options for your guests, especially if your wedding has multiple venues. This can help reduce the number of individual cars on the road and encourage carpooling.
• Shuttle services or party buses can be a fun and eco-friendly way to transport your guests. You can even decorate the shuttles to match your wedding theme!
• If your wedding is near a body of water, consider a boat or ferry ride for your guests. It's a unique and memorable way to travel while reducing their carbon footprint.
• Encourage Sustainable Choices: Encourage your guests to make sustainable travel choices. Provide information on public transportation options, or offer discounts for rental cars or car-sharing services.
• If you have guests travelling from out of town, suggest they carpool with local guests to reduce the number of vehicles.
• For guests who need a more accessible option, help arrange carpooling with family members or loved ones. This ensures that everyone can attend while reducing the environmental impact.
• Choose Eco-Friendly Rental Options: When selecting transportation options, prioritize companies that use sustainable practices and fuel-efficient vehicles.
• Look for companies that offer electric or hybrid vehicles, or those that prioritize carbon offsetting and eco-friendly fuel sources.
• Some companies even offer luxury options, such as stretch limos or party buses, that are still environmentally conscious.
• Plan Efficient Routes: Efficient route planning can help reduce the environmental impact of transportation.
• Work with your transportation company to plan direct routes between venues, minimizing detours or unnecessary stops.
• If possible, choose a central location for your wedding events to reduce travel distances.

By implementing these strategies, you can make your wedding guest transportation more eco-friendly. Not only will you reduce the carbon footprint of your celebration, but you'll also provide a unique and memorable experience for your guests!

Frequently asked questions