For the eco-conscious couple, having a sustainable wedding celebration is imperative. A wedding day that’s kind to the planet not only feels extra special, but is likely to leave a lasting impression on your guests too.
For a celebration in keeping with your values, here’s all you need to know about the dos and don’ts of a sustainable wedding.
Do: choose a sustainable venue
Transport is a big contributor to global carbon emissions, so you’ll want to choose a stunning venue as close to your home as possible. It can be helpful to also consider where your loved ones are based, as ultimately, reducing your journey won’t mean much if all your guests have to travel from further away.
Check out your venue’s sustainability credentials before booking it for your day to make sure you’re choosing somewhere that’s as committed to sustainability as you are. This might look like a venue that has a process in place for minimizing waste or reusing their decor items.
Don’t: use high-emission transport
No matter how sustainable your venue is (or how close it is to you and your guests) your day will be considerably less green if you opt for transport that has a high carbon footprint. For example, arriving at your wedding venue in a classic car may be a popular trend, but these vehicles tend to emit more emissions than newer models.
Consider arriving in an electric vehicle, or a horse-drawn carriage if you’re after that fairytale effect – and encourage your guests to carpool or take a bus to cut down on emissions considerably.
Do: opt for an eco-friendly menu
Sustainable wedding dishes can be very tasty, particularly if you choose to work with a professional who knows the best flavors and pairings. If you want to serve traditional meat dishes, ensure that your produce is locally sourced and comes from a sustainability-certified supplier. Or, for bonus points, opt for a much more sustainable, 100% plant-based menu. You should also avoid purchasing food that comes in plastic packaging, as this will inevitably need to be thrown away after your celebration.
Don’t: over order food
It can be tempting to order more food than you need for your wedding day, for fear of not having enough to satisfy all your guests. However, this can result in lots going to waste. It’s best to try to only order the number of meals that have been selected by your guests on your invite – you can always include a note to say that you won’t be ordering in extras, just in case.
Do: make your own decorations
Hand-crafted items can make for beautiful wedding decor, and while they might lend themselves to a rustic theme, it’s possible to make decorations that suit any style. Opting for DIY decorations is all about using items you already have to create something special – this essentially means that you’re buying fewer decorations that might be thrown away later. Plus, it means you can be in control of exactly where your items come from, rather than having to rely on a vendor that may or may not have a transparent supply chain.
Don’t: use harmful materials
It’s important that you make your decorations out of sustainable, eco-friendly materials, such as textiles made from natural fibers, or materials that have been recycled. If you’re ever stuck on whether or not to choose a material, consider where it came from and where it’ll go after you’re done with it – you want to make sure you’re not funding unsustainable practices, or contributing to harmful waste processes.
A day that makes a difference
Incorporating sustainability into your wedding day is easy once you have the low-down on the best practices. With these top tips, you can enjoy your special day knowing you’re also making a difference.
