Modern Wedding Trends: Sustainable Wedding Practices
by Emma Ghormley
We are so excited to see this increasing trend among weddings: eco-friendly practices for a more environmentally friendly wedding. This is one we hope becomes more than just a trend, but a regular practice among brides and grooms, wedding planners and florists. When planning your wedding, you can find various ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle and you’ll feel good about reducing the carbon footprint of your important day. Here are 10 ideas we have to support the environment when planning your wedding.
Think about Thrifting
There are many creative ways you can bring secondhand items into your wedding plans. Check and see if there is a wedding consignment shop in a city near you. Many of them sell wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, accessories, and decor in great condition and for less cost. Besides browsing local thrift stores and consignment shops, you can check for specific items on Craigslist, Facebook, and Poshmark. You can set alarms on Facebook Marketplace to receive notifications on specific items people are selling.
Not everything has to match! Finding unique items from thrift shops for your tables will add personality and a unique variety to your tables. Some ideas of items you can thrift are jars, vases, votives, LED candles, vintage books, table settings, wooden signs, frames, dresses, tuxes, bowties, and other accessories like shoes and jewelry.
2. Reuse with Rentals
Using rentals from a florist or wedding decorator is a great way to reuse items. It will also save you time and money! Check out this post about creative ways to use rentals in your wedding. (Insert link to previous blog post)
3. Find a Florist who uses Eco Friendly Practices
Many florists are making the switch from non-recyclable flower foam to wire, moss, and other more natural floral bases. You can find a florist or a company that will compost your fresh flowers when all is said and done. You could even look for a local organization that reuses fresh flowers and delivers them to hospitals or people in need. Check out Petals for Hope or search for local floral recycling companies in your area. Ask your florist if they reuse their vases and buckets or other floral items. When choosing your flowers, you could aim for using flowers and greens in season so your florist can purchase from local growers. If you are unsure of which flowers are in season, just ask your florist! They will know how to direct you.
Many florists can also incorporate potted plants into your decor. You could save some for your home or hand them out to friends and family as a special memento from your wedding.
4. Care with Catering
The best way to reduce food waste is to have your meal plated for each guest. If this isn’t feasible or you prefer buffet style, have a plan for saving the leftovers. You could request caterers package them up for you or other friends and family to take home at the end of the night. Also use reusable dinnerware and utensils to reduce the waste of disposable products. If using paper products is necessary, be sure they are recyclable or biodegradable products.
5.Think Twice on Invites
In this day and age, it's so easy to go digital with many of the things traditionally printed on paper. That can include invitations and ceremony programs. If you desire to keep things traditional and want to send printed invitations, you could create a wedding website for people to visit for additional information, which will reduce the amount of papers you need to print for your guests to be prepared. Include the website or even a QR code on your invitation for them to visit. Other options are to research companies that can print on plantable seed paper. Then your guests can plant your invitation and watch their seeds grow! Last, but not least, you could ensure anything you need to print on paper is used with recycled materials.
6. Something Old, Something New
One amazing way to add custom decor and a personal touch to your wedding is using family heirlooms or photos. It's also a special way to include loved ones who have passed away or are not able to attend your wedding. Find old wedding photos, put them in thrifted frames, add them to your tables or guest areas. They also create a great conversation piece.
If you want to buy new, customized items that are special to you, find pieces that you will use as decorations in your home as a new couple. What a wonderful way to have memories of your special day placed where you can see them everyday!
7. Drinks on the Tap
If your venue doesn’t have a built-in bar, skip the coolers of cans or wasted plastic cups by getting kegs and using glassware. Or find a bar truck that brings the beer taps to you! This is also a fun way to create custom drinks and cocktails for your guests.
8. Eco friendly Accessories
Accessorize yourself with items you would wear again! It’s fun to dress up and feel fancy on your special day, so don’t compromise on what you truly want. But maybe you can think outside the box with shoes, jewelry or ties that you and your wedding party would wear again. Then you have an item you can use regularly that reminds you of your wedding day.
Another fun idea to reuse is to give your bridal party a color palette and invite them to find their own outfit. They are more likely to pick out something for themselves that they would wear again. Plus they would love wearing something that fits their own style and comfort level!
9. Earth-friendly Party Favors
Think about how you can be creative and responsible when it comes to party favors for your guests. Research local businesses that make favors that are edible or consumable. We’ve seen people hand out small jars of local honey, packets of seeds, potted succulents, or locally brewed drinks in reusable bottles.
Consider doubling up on your seating chart and party favors. This will create less paper and printing, plus less work for you!
10. A Sustainable Send-off
If you plan to have your guests send you off in a special way at the end of the night, consider skipping the traditional rice or sparklers. You could try dried flower petals for a beautiful scene. Or use a variety of herbs to toss in the air for a confetti effect, yet better for the earth. You could even personalize it by looking up the symbolism of different herbs and create a mix that fits your vibe. Rosemary symbolizes fidelity and luck. Sage represents good health and wisdom. Lavender can signify devotion and protection. Get personal with it!
You can create the wedding of your dreams without compromising your values of sustainable living and being kind to the environment. Contact our wedding planners or florists and we can help your green wedding dreams come true!