How to have a Eco Friendly Wedding! 10 Top Tips

As you embark on your wedding planning journey, it's important to consider the impact your special day will have on the environment. Minimizing single-use waste and adopting eco-friendly practices can help you celebrate your love while making a positive contribution to the planet. In this blog post, I’ll share ten creative and sustainable ideas that will make your wedding not only beautiful but also environmentally conscious. Additionally, we'll explore the significance of sustainable practices, including reducing single-use items, encouraging your guests to be eco positive, and opting for local vendors to reduce travel emissions.

1. Repurposed and Upcycled Decor: Giving old items new life is an excellent way to add charm and sustainability to your wedding decor. Incorporate repurposed and upcycled elements such as vintage vases for floral arrangements, reclaimed wood for signage or table settings, and antique frames for displaying pictures. By using these unique pieces, you not only reduce waste but also add character and a touch of history to your wedding atmosphere. Check out your local charity shop, car boot sale or buy, swap, sale group for items to repurpose.

2. Eco-Friendly Invitations: Your wedding invitations set the tone for your eco-conscious celebration. Opt for paperless wedding invitations or choose recycled paper for physical invites. If choosing to go paperless, creating a wedding website as a hub for all the information your guests need is a great option. Wedding websites also offer the ability to instantly receive RSVPs, menu choices, dietary requirements and more. Some platforms will even collate guests responses into spreadsheets for you. WithJoy.com and SayI.Do are free to use and offer personalisation to your theme and love story. If you want physical invites with a truly sustainable touch, explore plantable invitations. These invitations have seeds embedded in the paper that guests can plant and grow as a beautiful reminder of your special day.

3. Sustainable Florals: Selecting locally sourced, seasonal flowers for your wedding arrangements significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation. Work with your florist to create stunning floral displays using seasonal flowers and ask that the arrangements can be donated or repurposed after the wedding. This thoughtful gesture extends the joy of your special day and minimizes floral waste.

4. Zero-Waste Table Settings: Embrace zero-waste practices by opting for reusable tableware where possible. Consider using cloth napkins, bamboo or wooden plates, and biodegradable utensils. These alternatives provide an eco-friendly solution to disposable table settings and help keep unnecessary waste out of landfills. Discuss your eco-friendly tableware plans with your catering team to ensure smooth execution on your big day. If you’ve chosen a venue which provide your food, likelihood is they will provide reusable crockery, cutlery and glassware, but be sure to check the crockery/plates and cutlery provided for any buffet options and ensure that biodegradables is available as required.

5. Farm-to-Table Ethical Catering: Choose a catering service that prioritizes locally sourced, organic, and sustainable ingredients. A farm-to-table approach not only supports local businesses but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting food over long distances. Discuss packaging options with your caterer to minimize single-use plastics and containers and ensure they align with your sustainability goals.

6. Green Wedding Favors: Express your appreciation to your guests with eco-friendly wedding favors. Consider gifting small jars of local honey, artisanal soaps made with natural ingredients, or packets of wildflower seeds. These thoughtful favors not only celebrate the local produce and businesses but also leave a positive impact on the environment.

7. Second-Hand Wedding Dress or Alteration: Consider wearing a second-hand wedding dress or altering a gifted gown to reduce the environmental impact of your attire. Vintage dresses or family heirlooms add a sentimental touch while contributing to a circular economy and reducing the demand for new clothing production. Fashions come back around time and time again and a seamstress will be able to help you redesign a preloved dress. If you don’t fancy a vintage gown then many brides resell their dresses fairly soon after their big day if their lacking storage, or eco conscious themselves. Lots of preloved wedding dresses can be found at www.rockmywedding.co.uk/recycle

8. Buy and Resell Wedding Items: Explore wedding item resale sites to purchase gently used decor, such as centerpieces, vases, and table settings. After your wedding, consider reselling or donating these items to give them a new life in someone else's celebration. Embracing this sustainable approach reduces the need for new production and minimizes waste. There are many local wedding buy sale swap groups on facebook, and sites such as sellmywedding.co.uk and Rock My Wedding.

9. Choose Local Vendors to Reduce Travel Emissions: When selecting vendors for your wedding, prioritize local businesses to reduce travel emissions. Choosing nearby venues, caterers, florists, and other vendors minimizes transportation-related environmental impact. Additionally, local vendors often have a better understanding of regional sustainability practices and can better align with your eco-friendly vision.

10. Sustainable Wedding Venue: Select a wedding venue with sustainability practices at its core. Look for venues with eco-friendly certifications, renewable energy sources, and a commitment to waste reduction. Holding your celebration in a sustainable venue ensures that your wedding aligns with your eco-conscious values and sets a positive example for others.

For a bonus (most venues will have this stipulated in their terms), but make sure your confetti if 100% biodegradable! Dried flower petals are best but always check any packaging on bought confetti and ask family not to bring their own, let them know you’ll be providing a carefully chosen confetti to celebrate.

Planning a sustainable wedding not only benefits the environment but also creates a meaningful and memorable experience for you and your guests. By implementing eco-friendly decor ideas, reducing single-use items, maybe opting for a second-hand wedding dress, and supporting local vendors, you can celebrate your love while taking care of the planet. Let your wedding inspire others to embrace sustainability and make a positive difference in the world, one celebration at a time.