How to Plan a Eco Wedding: Tips for a Sustainable Wedding
An eco wedding is a beautiful way to celebrate your love while also taking care of the planet. From choosing eco-friendly suppliers to reducing waste, here are some tips for planning a sustainable wedding:
Eco-Friendly Wedding Venues.
Start with an Eco-Friendly Venue. The first step in planning an eco wedding is to choose a venue that aligns with your values and lowers your carbon footprint. Look for a venue that is committed to sustainability and eco-friendliness, such as a farm, a garden, or a vineyard. These venues typically have plenty of natural beauty and outdoor spaces, which can reduce the need for decorations and lighting.
When finding an eco-friendly wedding venue for your big day, here are some things to consider and look for:
Energy efficiency: Look for a venue that has energy-efficient lighting and heating/cooling systems.
Renewable energy: Choose a venue that uses renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydropower, all of which help lower your carbon footprint.
Water conservation: Look for a venue that uses water-efficient systems and practices, such as low-flow toilets and showerheads, and rainwater harvesting.
Waste management: Choose a venue that has a robust waste management system in place, including composting, recycling, and minimizing waste.
Natural surroundings: Consider venues with natural beauty, such as gardens, parks, or farms, which can reduce the need for additional decor and lighting and lower your environmental impact.
Sustainable practices: Look for venues that prioritize sustainable practices and eco-friendliness in their operations, such as using non-toxic cleaning products, sourcing locally grown food, and reducing food waste.
Accessibility: Consider the accessibility of the wedding venue for your guests, including accessible public transport options or nearby lodging for out-of-town guests
Choose Eco-Friendly Wedding Suppliers
When it comes to planning an eco wedding, choosing the right suppliers is crucial. Look for suppliers who share your commitment to sustainability, such as a North Yorkshire wedding photographer, like myself who uses sustainable materials or a caterer who sources local and organic produce. After every wedding, I plant one tree to offset my carbon footprint. Also, try to book local suppliers to reduce travel between wedding venues. You can also consider hiring a sustainable wedding planner who specializes in eco-friendly weddings.
Reduce waste
Reducing waste is an important part of planning an eco wedding. Consider using digital invitations instead of paper, renting decor instead of buying it, and using reusable tableware instead of disposable plates and cutlery. You can also donate any leftover food or wedding flowers to a local charity or compost them. With some creative ideas you can make your wedding day look really high-end, but still lower your environmental impact.
You can view my DIY wedding tips here
Choose Sustainable Decor
When it comes to decor, choose sustainable options that align with your eco-friendly values. Consider using natural materials like wood, bamboo, or cotton, and use candles or solar-powered lighting instead of electricity. You can also choose locally sourced flowers or potted plants as centrepieces.
How can I make my wedding day plastic-free for a sustainable wedding?
Choose a plastic-free venue for your big day: Look for venues that do not use single-use plastics, such as straws or cups, and offer sustainable alternatives.
Use reusable or compostable tableware: Avoid using disposable plates, cups, and cutlery by renting or buying reusable items or using compostable options made from materials such as bamboo, paper, or cornstarch.
Avoid plastic decorations: Choose sustainable and natural decor options, such as flowers, plants, or reusable banners and signs. There are environmentally friendly alternatives
Encourage guests to bring their own containers: If you plan to offer leftovers to guests, encourage them to bring their own reusable containers instead of providing plastic ones.
Give plastic-free favours: Avoid using plastic packaging for your wedding favours by choosing sustainable options, such as those made of paper, glass, or metal. You can also consider giving out favours that do not require any packaging, such as seeds or small potted plants.
Give Eco-Friendly Favours
Favours Eco-friendly wedding favours are a great way to thank your guests for celebrating with you while also reducing waste. Consider giving out seeds, potted plants, or homemade soap instead of traditional favours that may end up in the trash.
Buy Second Hand
A lot off the shelf wedding dress and suits are made overseas, often in china. The manufacturing process for a wedding dress and suit is often large and intense. You can often find an excellent quality second-hand dress for sale online, not only saving you money but also lowering your carbon footprint and environmental impact.
Have you thought about an elopement wedding?
Eloping can be more environmentally friendly than having a traditional wedding for several reasons:
Fewer guests: An elopement usually involves just the couple and maybe a small number of guests. This means fewer people travelling to the wedding location, reducing carbon emissions associated with transportation.
Smaller footprint: A traditional wedding often requires a large venue, decorations, catering, and other resources that can have a significant environmental impact. Elopements, on the other hand, require fewer resources and often take place in natural settings like parks, forests, or beaches that do not require additional decorations.
Less waste: With a smaller guest list, there is less waste generated from food, decorations, and other items associated with a traditional wedding. Additionally, elopements often involve more sustainable practices, such as using reusable tableware and biodegradable or compostable products.
Reduced carbon footprint: The travel associated with traditional weddings, including guests flying or driving long distances, can contribute significantly to carbon emissions. An elopement, which usually involves a smaller guest list and a more intimate setting, can help reduce these emissions.
Overall, eloping can be a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option for couples who want to reduce their carbon footprint and minimize their impact on the environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, planning an eco-friendly wedding is an excellent way to reduce your environmental impact and create a more sustainable celebration. By choosing a green wedding, you can minimise waste, reduce your carbon footprint, and make a positive impact on the planet. Some key steps to planning an eco-friendly wedding include choosing an eco-friendly venue, using sustainable suppliers, minimising waste, choosing sustainable decor, and giving eco-friendly favours. Additionally, eloping can be a more environmentally friendly option, as it involves fewer guests, less waste, and a smaller carbon footprint. By following these tips and making environmentally conscious choices, you can plan a beautiful wedding while also protecting the planet for future generations. Remember, small changes can make a big difference in creating a more sustainable world.