Weddings are all about celebrating love and commitment, but they can also take a toll on the environment. With more people becoming eco-conscious, a lot of couples are looking for ways to make their big day more sustainable.
Celebrating Love and Nature
Embrace eco-friendly practices, and make sure your wedding is not just a magical experience, but also a reflection of your values and your love for the planet.
Just like there’s no such thing as a perfect wedding, there’s no such thing as a perfectly ethical wedding. The moment you popped that first bottle of bubbly, you kissed that idea goodbye (“Why didn’t we have a locally sourced bottle of wine?!” a little voice in your head cries out!).
Planning a sustainable, eco-friendly, or fair-trade wedding can feel overwhelming, so cut yourself some slack. The fact that you’re even reading this to find ideas means you’re more conscientious than most about throwing a sustainable wedding, and we applaud you for that.
Choosing an Eco-Friendly Venue
Consider an outdoor setting that allows you to take advantage of natural beauty and reduce your energy usage. A picturesque garden can provide a stunning backdrop without extensive decor or lighting.
Read about Danielle & Doug getting married on the lawn here at Larkspur Lodge, Cheshire.
Embracing Sustainable Florals
Flowers are a beautiful part of any wedding, but the traditional cut flower industry can be pretty hard on the environment.
To reduce your floral impact, consider alternatives like potted plants, herbs, or dried botanicals. These options can be repurposed or even transplanted after the event, adding a touch of sustainability to your special day.
When selecting cut flowers, opt for locally grown, seasonal blooms that minimise the carbon emissions from long-distance transport. Work with a florist who sources from small, sustainable farms and avoids the use of floral foam, which can be harmful to the environment.
You can even donate your leftover flowers to nursing homes, hospitals, or composting initiatives to ensure they don’t go to waste.
Renting and Repurposing Decor
Rather than purchasing new decor items that may end up in landfills, consider renting furniture, linens, and other accents. Here at Larkspur Lodge, your wedding barn and reception room can be pre-decorated by us which minimises waste.
Rental companies often have a wide selection of elegant, reusable pieces that can be enjoyed by multiple couples. This not only reduces waste but also allows you to curate a unique, personalised look without the burden of storage or disposal.
If you do opt to buy certain decorative elements, look for secondhand or vintage options that give new life to existing items. Scour antique stores, flea markets, and online marketplaces for one-of-a-kind pieces that can be incorporated into your wedding aesthetic.
You can also repurpose elements like mirrors, signage, and lanterns in your home after the big day.
Embracing Sustainable Fashion
Your wedding attire is another area where you can make eco-friendly choices. Consider renting or purchasing a pre-owned gown, which prevents the creation of new textile waste.
Many bridal designers are also embracing sustainable practices, using organic, recycled, or upcycled materials in their collections.
For the groom and groomsmen, renting suits or tuxedos is a smart, sustainable option that eliminates the need for single-use formalwear. Encourage your wedding party to explore these rental options or to choose outfits they can wear again in the future.
Curating a Sustainable Menu
The food and beverages served at your wedding can have a significant impact on the environment. Caterers, such as our partners Fork & Field source locally-grown, seasonal ingredients that reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation.
You can also opt for a vegetarian or vegan menu, which typically requires fewer resources to produce.
When it comes to drinks, seek out organic, biodynamic, or sustainably produced wines, beers, and spirits. Avoid single-serve packaging, which generates more waste, and instead choose larger format bottles that can be easily recycled.
Reducing Waste and Donating Excess
One of the biggest challenges with weddings is the potential for waste, from leftover food to discarded decor. To combat this, work with your vendors to develop a plan for donating, recycling, or composting any excess items. This could include donating floral arrangements to local charities, repurposing centrepieces and other decor, or ensuring any uneaten food is distributed to those in need.
Consider alternatives to traditional paper goods, such as digital invitations, programs, and menus. If you do choose to use printed materials, opt for recycled, plantable, or biodegradable options. For your wedding favours, explore edible or living gifts that your guests can enjoy or plant in their own gardens.
Offsetting Your Carbon Footprint
Even with all your eco-friendly efforts, your wedding may still have some unavoidable carbon emissions, particularly from guest travel. To mitigate this impact, consider offering shuttle services or encouraging carpooling to reduce the number of individual car journeys.
You can also look into carbon offset programs that allow you to support environmental initiatives, such as reforestation or renewable energy projects, to balance out your event’s footprint.
Continuing the Sustainable Journey
Your commitment to sustainability shouldn’t end with your wedding day.
Look for ways to extend your eco-friendly practices into your honeymoon and beyond.
Choose a destination that prioritises sustainability, such as eco-resorts or hotels with strong environmental policies. You can also continue to support local businesses, reduce waste, and engage in conservation efforts during your travels.
Embracing the Eco-Friendly Mindset
Planning an eco-friendly wedding may seem daunting, but it’s a rewarding journey that allows you to celebrate your love while honouring the planet.
By making mindful choices and collaborating with vendors who share your values, you can create a wedding that is not only beautiful but also a reflection of your commitment to a more sustainable future.
Embrace the process, be open to creative solutions, and inspire others with your eco-conscious approach. Want to know more about our stunning wedding barn in Cheshire? Get in touch to find out more or download our brochure.
