From “My Wedding Mag” in New Zealand
The Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Weddings
From “My Wedding Mag” in New Zealand
The Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Weddings
Your wedding is your long-awaited day, a joyous occasion to honor your love and commitment to your partner, and it should be as extravagant as you like. But considering the greenhouse gas emissions that can add up due to extensive travel, the use of disposable cutlery and cooking equipment, improper disposal of decorations, and food waste, there’s also no denying that weddings can have an impact on the environment.
Let’s challenge the stigma surrounding weddings as inherent contributors to carbon footprint with a comprehensive guide to planning an eco-friendly celebration.
What is a Sustainable Wedding?
A sustainable wedding, sometimes referred to as an eco-wedding or green wedding, is any wedding celebration that prioritizes the reduction of environmental and social impact by consciously choosing eco-friendly practices and ethical considerations throughout all aspects of the wedding planning process.
How Do You Plan a Sustainable Wedding?
As people become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, more and more couples are seeking ways to make their most-awaited day more sustainable. If you’re one of them, we’ve created this ultimate guide to help you achieve an eco-friendly wedding that’s perfect for you and your future spouse.
Choose a Green Venue
A great step towards celebrating an eco-friendly wedding is selecting a green venue. Look for a place that adopts sustainable practices in its operations, such as solar panels and measures to reduce water waste.
You can also look for venues that have existing green building certifications, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), or those that reuse most of their furniture and tableware. Doing so allows you to save on purchasing new items that you won’t need again in the future.
Look for Sustainable Catering
Reduce the consumption of meat by partnering with a caterer that offers ingredients that are locally sourced and seasonal. Locally sourced ingredients demand less transportation, while seasonal ingredients require less energy to grow and keep.
Additionally, inquire about the vegetarian or vegan options on your menu as well as the caterer’s plans for surplus food and drinks, either through donation drives or composting.
Give Guests Sustainable Wedding Favors
Wedding favors are gifts that serve as a gesture of appreciation for guests’ attendance, but they can also be a way to advocate for sustainability. Consider wedding favors made from sustainable materials, such as recycled paper and bamboo. Potted plants, seed packets, and edible treats like locally sourced honey and homemade jams make excellent choices for wedding favors as well!
Adopt Sustainable Fashion
Opt for wedding attire from designers and brands known for their ethical practices, such as those that use sustainable fabrics, fair labor, and transparent supply chains. Renting or purchasing second-hand dresses and suits also reduces the demand for new clothing production and minimizes waste.
Cut Out Wasted Paper
The Save-the-Date, the wedding invitation, and the RSVPs not only consume a lot of paper but also release a huge amount of carbon dioxide. Minimize the use of paper by sending out invitations through email or invitation platforms. Giving your friends and family a call to tell them how much you want them to be at your wedding could even be a more personalized and heartfelt way to invite them!
Encourage Your Guests to Take Home Leftovers
Lastly, try to avoid throwing away too many wedding leftovers at the end of the celebration. Encourage guests to take flowers home and ensure that any leftover cake is also available for guests to take with them as they leave.
From choosing a green venue to adopting sustainable fashion to allowing guests to take home some leftovers, there are many ways to plan a sustainable wedding celebration. You can also get tips from your favorite wedding magazine if you’re still looking for more! Let your wedding day be more than the union of two hearts; make it a celebration of environmental stewardship and compassion for the communities around you.
Book an online meeting with a sustainable wedding planner
Book a free online meeting with one of our eco-conscious wedding planners who will be able to help you with all your requirements with regards to a sustainable wedding.