By planning a sustainable wedding, you are honouring the
Earth while also celebrating your love and commitment. Eco-friendly wedding
décor can help to add a sense of style to your wedding while also lowering your
environmental footprint. Discover what a sustainable wedding is and how to plan
one.
What Is a Sustainable Wedding?
Treat the planet with a lot of love on your special day. A
sustainable wedding includes the following elements:
A low-emissions producer: Sustainable practices, whether in
your daily life or at your wedding ceremony, help you reduce your carbon
footprint. For example, make an effort to ensure that people attending your
event use environmentally friendly transportation. Keep emissions to a minimum
during the event. For example, holding your ceremony and reception in the same
location eliminates the need for transportation between the events.
Eco-friendly: Strive to meet zero-waste standards on your
wedding day. Work with a green wedding planner to determine the best practices
for treating the environment with the utmost respect. This includes reducing
litter, using reusable decorations, and wearing second-hand clothing whenever
possible rather than consuming unnecessary resources.
Socially conscious: You don't have to sacrifice wedding
style in order to conduct an ethical event. Do your part to use socially
conscious vendors for your wedding as you strive to meet your environmental
goals. Some diamond rings, for example, contain gemstones obtained through
unethical means. To mitigate this, look for conflict-free ring manufacturers.
Why Is Sustainability Important?
Sustainability establishes the foundation for a healthier
environment. Sustainable practices contribute to a better climate for future
generations while also reducing waste and pollution in the present.
Eco-friendly habits are about reducing your negative environmental impact as
much as they are about making a positive impact on the larger world.
8 Sustainable Wedding Ideas
If you're a natural environmentalist, a sustainable wedding
will allow you to enjoy your ceremony and reception with a clear conscience.
Consider the following eight ideas for a memorable eco-friendly wedding:
1. Think about reusable floral arrangements. Consider using
potted plants instead of cut flowers for your wedding. Consult a florist about
how to use floral arrangements in a sustainable manner. For example, you could
use flower bouquets that are easy to replant after the event.
2. Reduce food waste. Make an effort to serve just the right
amount of food at your wedding. Wedding cakes and dinner items are frequently
discarded after a celebration. Plan ahead of time to ensure that everyone has
enough to eat without going overboard and wasting food.
3. Donate your décor after the wedding. Take your
wedding centrepieces and favours to a thrift store so that someone else can use
them in the future. Speak with your friends to see if they want to bring
anything home with them. Similarly, use an online platform to sell your décor
and recoup your investment after the event.
4. Look for vintage wedding gowns. While some dressmakers
may offer sustainable wedding dresses made of reusable materials, it may be
easier to find an old dress at a vintage or thrift store. Bridesmaids and
groomsmen can shop for their own party attire in the same way.
5. Shrink your guest list. Reduce the number of people
attending the wedding to as few as possible. Even if you want to celebrate with
as many people as possible, fewer people traveling to your event will have a
lower negative impact on carbon emissions.
6. Purchase your wedding rings in an ethical manner. When
you exchange wedding bands, you transition from engaged to newlywed. Consider
using recycled gold or silver rings as you embark on this journey into your
future together. If you haven't proposed yet, you can look for lab-grown
diamond engagement rings.
7. Try virtual wedding invitations. To invite people to
your wedding, use an online DIY approach. Allow people to RSVP on your wedding
website rather than on paper. By opting not to send these letters, you will
alleviate some of the stress associated with wedding planning.
8. Use biodegradable paper products. If possible, use
reusable glassware, cutlery, and plates instead of single-use paper goods. If
you want to send off with confetti, see if you can find a seed paper version.
Signage can also be made from recycled paper.