| HOW TO | Host An Eco Friendly Wedding
Being kinder to the environment is on everyone’s radar at the moment, including within the wedding industry. More and more couples are seeking out various ways they can host a more sustainable celebration, from their stationery through to their ceremony. Weddings don’t have to be wasteful and you don’t have to compromise on style to be sustainable. Take a look at some of our favourite ideas for going green on your big day…
Wedding Confetti
You will need to discuss the rules for wedding confetti with your venue, but environmentally friendly options include flower petals, leaves or even herbs – the perfect choice if you want a rustic, Italian-esque vibe!
Wedding Favours
Let your guests know you’re embracing the eco-friendly approach and offer favours that can be planted, such as a small packet of seeds or even a small succulent. Tiny potted plants can also be used to decorate your wedding tables and used as place settings, simply tie a name tag (made out of recycled paper) to each pot. You could also spoil your guests with edible favours so avoid any wastage – we know all too well that many favours get left behind. Delicious cookies or donuts with names on can be used as wedding favours, escort cards and even a mini dessert!
Go Local
If you’re getting wed further afield, chances are your guests and suppliers will be contributing to the carbon footprint. If you can, try to source suppliers who are local to your venue to decrease travel time and emissions. It’s also a lovely gesture to support local businesses, and we’re sure your venue will be able to recommend a selection of incredible professionals. When it comes to choosing your caterers, research different companies to see if any use farm to table produce so it’s locally sourced and deliciously fresh! You’ll find there is less plastic packaging, less transportation and less wastage!
Dedicated Glassware
We love the idea of allocating one glass to each guest to use throughout the whole evening. You could make it a fun part of your wedding day with a designated table decorated with signage and colourful glassware to choose from. Not only will it mean you can limit the amount of glassware you need to hire in, it will save on washing up and reusing!
Consider your Décor
It’s often the small things that make a difference, such as your details and décor. Consider how you style your wedding and how it will impact on the environment. For instance, if you’re having a hydration station make sure you swap plastic straws for paper straws. When designing your wedding centrepieces, ask your florist to avoid using floral foam, which is not biodegradable and is often full of toxic chemicals. If you want to think about how you can use your wedding flowers after your celebration, why not donate them to nursing homes or local hospitals?
Quick Tips for Going Green
- Florals: Foam-free and donate after the big day
- Favours: Opt for waste-free wedding favours
- Transport: Encourage guests to arrive together to reduce their carbon footprint
- Local: Shop local with your venue and suppliers
- Stationery: Go paperless or choose recycled paper
- Recycle: Host a mini wedding clean-up and recycle as much as décor as you can
Images by Grace and Mitch Photography
