It’s time for plan out the big day and you want to have an eco friendly wedding day? You’re in the right place to guide you along with sustainable wedding ideas!
Weddings are a celebration of love, commitment, and unity. While some weddings are intimate showcases of love, others are large parties with over-the-top decor and flair. Whether you’re going for a more traditional wedding, or a smaller, more intimate wedding, there is still a way to make it a more eco friendly wedding with the planet in mind. This guide will walk you through all the steps to create an and eco-friendly wedding that aligns with your values and makes a significant impact on our planet.
I remember how stressful a wedding can be! You put months of hard work into executing all your great ideas, not to mention the amount of money you spend to make your day truly magical! One of the things I love most about weddings is the opportunity to make it a unique experience that reflects the couple. An eco friendly wedding is your opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment.
This guide will provide you with practical tips, insights, and actionable steps to help you plan a sustainable wedding. From choosing eco-friendly venues to selecting vegan food options, we’ve got you covered.
Here is exactly how to plan an eco friendly wedding the majority of your guests will adore!
1. Venue Selection
Choosing a venue is one of the most critical decisions in wedding planning!
When thinking about your venue selection consider questions like:
- your wedding date for availability. Would you be willing to change your wedding date if the venue is not available on that date?
- capacity. Is there enough space at your venue to include the number of guests you would like? Will everything be done at one space of will you need multiple venues?
- transportation. How will the bridal party and other guests get to the venue? Is it accessible for our of town guests? Do you need to add specific instructions in the invitation?
- budget. Can you afford this venue? Are their payment plans or hidden fees/taxes?
- the vibe. Does the venue match the aesthetic of your wedding? Is it outdoors? does it have solar panels? Are their energy efficiency features?
- amenities. Are there any special amenities offered? Are vendors internal or can they also be external?
Be aware of cancellation policies, your decor limits, as well as whether the venue can accommodate guests with disabilities.
When considering an eco friendly wedding, you’ll have that extra layer of trying to opt for venues that prioritize sustainability. These venues can include places that prioritize sustainable options.
Here are some thing to consider for your eco friendly wedding venue:
- Energy efficiency
- Venue’s waste management /recycling programs
- Amount of natural light to decrease need for articial lighting
- An venue like a garden, park, or beach
Pro Tip: Look for venues that are close to where most of your guests live to reduce travel emissions. If it’s a destination wedding, consider arranging group transportation.
2. Dresses and Suits
The fashion industry is definitely in the spotlight for its environmental impact. In fact, the fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of the world’s carbon emissions (source).
Here are some eco-friendly wedding ideas for wedding attire:
- consider purchasing second-hand
- consider renting your tux and dress
- if it is in your budget, consider purchasing sustainably made dresses and suits. Brands such as Reformation and Stella McCartney offer eco-friendly options.
- consider something vintage. Reizing a dress passed down from your mom, grandma, or another person in your family can help bring the “something old” as well as a vintage vibe.
Pro Tip: After the wedding, return, donate or recycle your attire to extend its life cycle and keep it out of landfills.
3. Rings
If you’re considering an eco-conscious wedding, you’ve probably also considered having an eco friendly wedding ring!
Your wedding rings symbolize eternal love, but they can also symbolize your love for the planet.
Here is a great option for eco conscious rings:
- Choose rings made from recycled metals
- Consider conflict-free diamonds.
- Another unique option for wedding rings is lab-grown diamonds. This is not only a sustainable option, but also an ethical option.
- If possible, you can also choose a vintage ring
Pro Tip: Some jewelers offer traceable sourcing, allowing you to know exactly where the materials for your rings come from.
4. Invitations
I’m excited that digital invitations are becoming more popular! Digital invitations are a fantastic way to save paper and reduce waste.
I understand paper wedding invitations are still the traditional and more formal option, but there is a way to follow eco friendly practices with paper invitations as well! If you prefer traditional paper invites, choose recycled paper and soy-based inks. Companies like Greenvelope provide beautiful, eco-friendly digital invitation options.
Pro Tip: Include a QR code on your invitations that guests can scan for more information, reducing the need for additional inserts.
5. Photography
Choose a photographer who practices sustainable photography!
This could mean using digital over film, reducing travel by hiring local photographers, or using eco-friendly photo albums.
Discuss with your photographer about minimizing waste during the shoot. Using natural light and minimizing equipment and single-use props is a great way to incorporate more eco friendly photography with your wedding vendors. Photographers may be very specific about their style so be sure to check the photography wedding website first! Having an outdoor venue helps immensely reduce the need for articial lights and additional equipment.
6. Flowers
Wedding flowers are a key component to most weddings.
To help your eco friendly wedding still incorporate flowers, here are some tips:
- try to opt for locally sourced,
- use potted plants or succulents! I love this idea because guest can then take them home as a gift.
- try to avoid cut flowers because they tend to use more water and have a higher carbon footprint
- consider seasonal flowers
- look for flowers around your neighborhood, yard, or families yards
- ask local farmers for flowers
- go forging for flowers
- consider dried flowers
- Be sure to let guests take leftover flowers to avoid them being thrown away.
- Flowers can also be composted after use
Pro Tip: Work with florists who use sustainable practices, like composting floral waste and avoiding floral foam, which is harmful to the environment.
7. Food and Drink
Let’s be honest, food is one of the most important parts of the entire ceremony, even if you’re throwing an eco friendly wedding celebration! This is also a great way you can make a large difference in the carbon footprint of your wedding.
Here are some eco friendly choices to consider:
- have plenty of vegan options. Vegan foods which require fewer resources to produce and generate fewer greenhouse gases
- avoid single-use plates (paper plates), cups, plastic straws, and utensils
- consider seasonal food
- consider catering using foods from local farms
- consider catering from a local resturant
Pro Tip: Opt for a catering company who focuses on organic, locally sourced ingredients, and consider serving buffet-style meals to minimize food waste.
8. Guest Gifts
Guest gifts are one of my favorite parts of any party or wedding! I love finding unique ways to thank guests while still including eco conscious choices and a special personal touch.
Here are some great ways to thank your guests with eco-friendly wedding favors:
- personalized reusable tote bags
- personalized seed packets
- personalized handmade soaps
- plantable seed pencil
- soy wax candles
- reusable cups/bottles (we gave away a wine glass and our guests still have it!)
- bird seeds
- coffee beans
- charitable donations
- eco friendly crayons for the kids table
9. Thank You Cards
Don’t forget the thank you cards! Digital thank you cards are a great way to express your gratitude without creating waste.
If you prefer handwritten notes, choose cards made from recycled paper or plantable seed paper that can grow into flowers.
10. Bridal Shower
Bridal showers are an important part of an overall dream wedding.
In order to help make your bridal shower more eco friendly, here are some small changes you can make:
- use reusable decorations and choose items that can be repurposed at other parties
- serve sustainable food
- let people take leftovers
- ask guests to bring eco-friendly gifts
- encourage second hand gifts
- encourage donations/money instead of physical gifts
- ask for experience gifts (cooking classes, movie tickets, etc.)
- Opt for digital games (you can easily find digital games on Etsy!)
11. Decor
When it comes to decorations for your eco friendly wedding, less is more!
Here are some ideas for the best way to have eco friendly wedding decor:
- choose reusable, biodegradable and sustainable materials, when possible
- avoid single-use plastics
- Use items like burlap, jute, and recycled glass to add a rustic and elegant touch to your wedding
- Use items like bubbles instead of balloon releases
- use items that can be reused again for other party celebrations
- if you’re having an outdoor wedding, use nature as your decor!
- DIY when possible
- consider how you can reuse/repurpose the wedding items and give it a second life
- Make your decor part of the guests wedding favor
Pro Tip: Borrow or rent decor items instead of buying new ones. This not only saves money but also reduces waste.
12. Waste Management
An eco-friendly wedding wouldn’t be complete without a proper waste management plan.
- Be clear! Mark bins for composting, recycling, and landfill waste.
- Work with your venue to ensure they have an effective waste management system in place.
- Consider taking items home to be properly disposed of if sustainable waste management practices are not part of the wedding planning process at your venue
- Keep in mind what items will be donated, reused, repurposed, or given away at the end of the ceremony to avoid having them thrown away accidently
Pro Tip: Consider hiring a green wedding planner who specializes in sustainable events and can help manage waste efficiently.
13. Carbon Offsetting
Did you know you can offset the carbon footprint of your wedding? You can do this by investing in renewable energy projects or tree planting initiatives.
Here are some websites to help you get started:
- Terrapass
- Carbonfund.org
Pro Tip: Share your carbon offsetting efforts with your eco friendly wedding guests to inspire them to consider similar actions for their own events.
14. Is Eloping More Eco-Friendly?
Not into a big wedding? Eloping can significantly reduce the environmental impact of a wedding. This is because eloping eliminates the majority of the traditional wedding componoets that generate waste and emissions. Eloping is an opportunity to have a simple celebration for your new life while still showing respect to the planet. For some couples, it’s a perfect fit!
If eloping appeals to you, consider destinations that prioritize sustainability.
I hope this post was the green bride guide you needed to have a better way to plan your eco friendly wedding!
It’s time to plan an eco friendly wedding!
Remember, you don’t have to do it all at once. Start with a few changes and build from there. The important thing is to make choices that align with your values and create a beautiful, memorable day.
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