Planning an eco-friendly wedding is a wonderful way to celebrate your special day while making a positive impact on the environment. In this blog post, I aim to provide you with practical and educational ideas for creating a green and sustainable wedding. From selecting eco-conscious venues and vendors to incorporating sustainable decor and minimizing waste, we’ll explore various strategies to ensure your celebration aligns with your environmental values. Whether you’re just starting your planning journey or looking to enhance your existing plans, these tips will help you craft a beautiful, memorable, and eco-friendly wedding. Let’s dive into all my ideas below!
Keep Your Wedding Intimate
A smaller wedding not only reduces the environmental impact but also creates a more personal and meaningful celebration with your closest loved ones. Alternatively, you might choose to elope, focusing on the profound commitment you’re making to each other in a setting that holds special significance for you both. This approach can be a beautiful, eco-friendly way to begin your life together.
Get Married Outside
Opt for an outdoor wedding to embrace the natural beauty of your surroundings. By choosing a scenic outdoor location, you can minimize the need for extensive decorations and lighting. An outdoor setting not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your wedding but also reduces energy consumption, creating a greener, more sustainable event. Plus, nature provides a stunning backdrop that will make your special day even more memorable.
Pick an Eco-Friendly Wedding Venue
Here is a great site that will help you check if your venue is eco-friendly. Keep in mind, that if you are getting married outside, for example in a national park or in your backyard, those venues won’t be listed on this site. Since I am based in Kansas City, I picked some venue names to check and here are a few I found that made the list: The Guild, Powell Gardens, and Loose Mansion.
Offer Vegetarian/Vegan Food, and/or Sustainable Meals
Seek out providers that source ingredients locally and seasonally. Also consider giving a plated dinner to reduce food waste. If it is allowed, arrange to donate any leftover food to local food banks. This approach not only supports local agriculture but also minimizes your environmental footprint, making your wedding both delicious and conscientious.
Send E-vites Over Physical Invitations
Sending electronic invitations (e-vites) reduces paper waste. If you prefer physical invitations, seek out companies that give back to the environment, such as those that plant a tree for each order. Choose eco-friendly materials like seed paper, which is biodegradable, or use recycled paper for your invitations.
Give Back to a Charity For Your Gift Registry
Instead of traditional gifts, ask your guests to donate to a cause close to your heart. Many couples are choosing to support environmental organizations, local shelters, or global initiatives. This not only helps those in need but also adds a meaningful element to your wedding, allowing your celebration to make a positive impact on the world.
Pick a Venue That Fits Your Wedding Vision
This can significantly reduce the need for additional decorations or alterations, minimizing your event’s carbon footprint. Look for venues with natural beauty or architectural features that complement your style.
Consider Your Floral Arrangement Sourcing
When deciding between real and fake flowers, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of each option. While fake florals can end up in dumps and contribute to environmental issues, they can be resold if they’re trendy or popular designs. On the other hand, consider using potted plants like succulents, orchids, herbs, or trees that can be repurposed as home decor after the wedding. If you opt for cut flowers, research seasonal blooms that will be available at the time of your wedding or elopement. It’s also beneficial to buy from a florist who either grows their own flowers or sources them locally from farmers. Additionally, inquire with your florist about composting your floral arrangements after the event to reduce waste.
Donate or Resell Your Eco-Friendly Wedding Decor
There are research organizations that will pick up your arrangements and donate them to local hospitals, senior centers, and homeless shelters. Alternatively, you can give them away as gifts. For other items, consider reselling them on Facebook Marketplace or to anyone else you know who is getting married. Another option is to offer them to your vendors if they express interest. You can also try to reuse the decor in your own home.
Rent your Decor, Tableware, Flatware, and More
You can rent everything you need for your wedding, from glasses and plates to bowls, serving trays, spoons, knives, and forks. Renting helps you avoid waste from disposable paper or plastic tableware and cutlery. Additionally, you can find decor items secondhand through consignment shops, Facebook Marketplace, and Goodwill. After your wedding, consider reselling these items to keep them in circulation.
Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors
When selecting wedding favors for your guests, consider their practicality. Ask yourself, “Will my guests really use this?” Give biodegradable favors such as packets of flower seeds that can be planted directly in the ground, symbolizing the growth of your love and leaving a positive environmental impact. Or you can choose to skip wedding favors altogether, reducing unnecessary waste and focusing on creating memorable experiences for your guests.
Skip Rice, Paper, and Bubbles For Your Exit Toss
Consider using flower petals or dried flowers for a natural and biodegradable option. You can also look for companies that sell biodegradable paper confetti, which can add a fun and eco-friendly touch to your exit celebration.
Avoid Fast Fashion Sites
When choosing your wedding attire, avoid the fast fashion sites. Instead, opt for renting or buying garments secondhand to reduce environmental impact. Look for companies that offer sustainable clothing options, such as Whimsy & Row, Bastet Noir, Loudbodies, Amour Vert, and Kaela Kay for bridesmaid dresses, and Moss Bros, Tranzend, Everlane, Hangrr, and Carpasus for groom and groomsmen wear. Look for garments made from sustainable, biodegradable fabrics like linen, bamboo, hemp silk, organic cotton, and repurposed materials.
Feeling Inspired to plan an eco-friendly wedding that’s sustainable?
Let’s get this party started! If you’re ready to plan an eco-friendly wedding that celebrates your love while respecting the environment, you’re in the right place. Dive into the journal for all the inspiration and ideas you need to make your green wedding dreams a reality. Get in touch with me here if you’re ready to take that next step and book your wedding photographer. You can learn more about me and my mission here! Let’s create a celebration that’s as kind to the planet as it is beautiful!
Eco-Friendly Wedding Vendors
Photographer: Photography by Sara Anne (@photosbysaraanne) | Venue: Wildcliff Weddings & Events (@wildcliffevents) | Planner & Host: Zoe Ward (@sincerely.ward) | Hair & Makeup: The Ivory Standard (@theivorystandard, @stylesbysidk) | Baker: Blackwater Baking Co (@blackwaterbakingco) | Florist: Holland Florals Design Co. (@hollandfloraldesignco) | Stationary: Oblation Papers & Press (@oblationletterpress); Apres Studio (@apres_studio_invites) | Chair Rentals: A-1 Party & Event Rental (@a1partyeventrentalcomo) | Beverage partnership: TÖST Beverages (@tostbeverages)
