10 Ways to Make Your Wedding More Sustainable

Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting times of your life, but with so many decisions to make, it can be easy to overlook the environmental impact of your big day. From excessive waste, to having single-use favours, weddings can sometimes be less eco-friendly than we realise. But, the good news is, with a few thoughtful choices, you can have a beautiful wedding that’s kinder to the planet. 

Whether you are planning an elegant celebration, or a boho-chic wedding in a cosy Cheshire wedding barn, there are plenty of ways to have a beautiful day without costing the earth. 

What is a sustainable wedding?

A sustainable wedding does exactly what it says on the tin - it’s all of the celebration, without the high cost to the environment. From your choice of wedding venue, right down to the decor, food and even wedding favours, every element can be adjusted to minimise waste. 

Want a sustainable wedding, but unsure about how to achieve it without sacrificing on style? It’s important to remember that you don’t have to completely change your day - simply opting for a few eco-friendly elements is still doing your bit for the planet. 

How to plan an eco-friendly wedding

Planning an eco-friendly wedding starts with assessing how your choices impact the environment, and then making small but effective swaps to reduce your carbon footprint. This may look like renting your wedding attire rather than buying, opting for eco-friendly favours, or choosing a wedding venue that serves seasonal and locally sourced food (or plant-based options). 

If you’re looking for a Cheshire wedding barn that allows you to celebrate in style while keeping things sustainable, Larkspur Lodge offers a beautiful setting where you can host your entire day in one place, reducing the need for excessive travel for you and your guests - which is one easy step towards a more sustainable wedding! 

Now, let’s explore ten ways you can make your wedding more eco-friendly. 

1. Choose a Venue That Supports Sustainability

One of the biggest factors in making your wedding a bit more environmentally friendly is selecting the right venue. A quick and easy win is to host the entire day at the same venue, as this eliminates the need for your guests to travel between two different destinations, reducing carbon emissions. 

Whilst couples can have a separate church ceremony should they wish to, our rustic Cheshire wedding barn boasts a beautiful ceremony room - making it the perfect Knutsford wedding venue for couples looking for an all-in-one wedding day. This not only reduces your carbon footprint, but also makes your day a seamless experience for you and your guests. 

2. Opt for Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations

Traditional wedding invitations can contribute to paper waste, especially when they include multiple inserts. Consider digital invitations or using recycled paper with eco-friendly ink if you prefer printed invites. Many wedding stationary suppliers now also offer plantable seed paper invitations, allowing guests to plant them after the wedding, creating a lasting memory and benefiting the environment at the same time.

3. Sustainable Wedding Attire

The fashion industry is one of the world’s biggest polluters, so you may wish to consider a more sustainable choice of wedding outfit. Whilst this isn’t for everyone, this can make a real difference. 

Instead of buying a brand-new dress or suit, consider wearing a vintage or second-hand outfit, renting your outfit or choosing an ethical designer who uses sustainable fabrics. One heartfelt way to wear second hand is by repurposing a family heirloom, such as a grandparent’s dress or suit - plus, this can double up as your “something old”, too!

4. Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours

Though they are often well-intentioned, some wedding favours unfortunately do go to waste. To avoid single-use plastics and favours that may get left behind, explore different eco-friendly wedding favour ideas, such as:

• Plantable seed packets
• Small potted succulents or herbs
• Reusable bamboo straws
• Handmade soaps wrapped in biodegradable packaging
• Locally sourced honey or jam in glass jars These favours not only reduce waste but also provide a meaningful keepsake that guests can enjoy long after your wedding day.

5. Seasonal and Locally Sourced Food

Opting for a wedding caterer that uses locally sourced ingredients is another easy win in terms of sustainability. Work with your wedding caterer to create a menu that champions seasonal, local ingredients, as this supports local farmers and ensures deliciously fresh dishes. Or, if you want to go all-out on sustainability, opt for a vegetarian or vegan menu, as this can have a huge impact too. 

Wondering about sustainable food options at our Knutsford wedding venue? Our catering partners Fork & Field are here to help you create a menu that works best for you. 

6. Decorate with Sustainability in Mind

Some wedding decorations such as balloons and synthetic florals can be harmful to the environment. Instead, you could consider using dried or locally grown flowers, potted plants that can be re-gifted after the wedding, renting decor items rather than buying new, and incorporating re-usable items such as candles in glass holders. 

Our Cheshire wedding barn is beautiful in its own right, with unique features such as retro theatre-style seating in our ceremony room, and red brick walls in the lodge - meaning that you don’t have to worry about excessive decor to make your wedding stand out. 

7. Use Biodegradable Confetti

We love confetti shots - they’re a wedding classic! But, many types of confetti can be made from harmful plastic or foil, neither of which are biodegradable. To get a more environmentally-friendly confetti shot, opt for dried flower petals, or biodegradable paper confetti. 

8. Reduce Transport Emissions

Encouraging carpooling, providing shuttle buses, or hosting your wedding at a single venue will all help to reduce the environmental impact of travel. Larkspur Lodge offers everything you need in one place, ensuring your guests don’t have to travel between locations.

9. Ethical Wedding Rings

Your wedding rings are a symbol of your love, so if sustainability is you and your partner’s passion, choosing an eco-friendly option will make them even more meaningful. To do this, you could look for rings made from recycled materials, ones that use ethically sourced gemstones, or even go for a vintage or heirloom ring. 

10. Minimise Waste and Recycle

One of the easiest ways to make your wedding more sustainable is to reduce waste wherever possible. Try to avoid wedding favours that use excessive amounts of plastic, and work with suppliers who prioritise sustainability. You could also opt for digital thank-you notes rather than printed cards, and encourage your guests to take home flowers rather than binning them. 

Celebrate in Style, Sustainably

Having a sustainable wedding doesn’t mean compromising on style or enjoyment. By making these small adjustments, you can have a beautiful day that’s also kind to the planet. 

If you’re looking for a Cheshire wedding barn that allows you to have an all-in-one celebration and embrace sustainability, Larkspur Lodge could be your perfect Knutsford wedding venue. Download our brochure or get in touch today to find out more.