The main thing to consider when planning your big day is where to have it. Contemplate having it locally to prevent guests having to travel distances producing CO2 emissions. If most of your guests must fly to your wedding it will increase your events carbon footprint significantly. If guests will have to travel larger distances, on your invitations, encourage guests to car share or take public transport.
Eco-Venues
Choosing a venue is a big
decision. There are some eco-venues which host weddings and parties. Often, they will also have gardens which can reduce your need for floral arrangements in photos as well as the facilities to keep your wedding waste to a minimum.
Wherever you decide to have your big day, the venue will be ha
ppy to discuss their sustainability credentials and any sustainable adjustments they can make to fit your eco-wedding.
Hire
If you are considering hiring your own marquee or tent, chairs and tables, consider the time of year you plan to tie the knot. Generators used for heating use a lot of energy and can be avoided if your event is in a warmer season. LOOP rent reusable plates and cutlery for large events, The Prop Factory make and rent party decorations made from recycled and reclaimed materials- their website is a hive for inspiration. Alternately, try making some yourself from materials found at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre reuse shop, scrapstore or buy second hand from places like eBay, gumtree or Facebook Marketplace!
Confetti
Beware that confetti can contain plastic and throwing it about IS littering. Biodegradable petal confetti can be bought online. Although, it’s easy to make your own biodegradable confetti from dried leaves or flower petals, or even better, don’t bother with the stuff at all. Ensure you inform your guests of this on their invitations or website (see our wedding invites blog)!
Flowers
Cut flowers at events such as weddings aren’t the most sustainable. More people are now deciding to source the flowers sustainably and locally, or even to keep them in a pot for guests to take home as favours- all options can often be expensive.
Alternatively, try growing the flowers yourself! Bouquets can be fashioned with herbs, green foliage and non-traditional native species, dependant on the event’s time of year. You don’t have to opt for expensive flowers grown abroad and flown over to make your day special.
More Sustainable Weddings and Events blogs:
Sustainable Weddings and Events – Gifts
Sustainable Weddings and Events – Food and Drink
