Tag: Eco Friendly

5 Easy Ways to Make Your Wedding Earth-Friendly

Beautiful-wedding-couple-outside-in-green-forest-000102601137_Medium.jpg

Do you know your ecological footprint?

A wedding involves anywhere from tens to hundreds of people. Think about how much trash you produce in one day, and multiply it by your guest list. Crazy, right?

Good news! You have a golden opportunity to make some earth-friendly choices and minimize the environmental impact of your event. A little planning (which you’re doing anyway) will go a long way!

 Here are five really easy ways to keep your celebration clean and green.

Transportation & Venue

Greenhouse gases are emitted by fuel-burning vehicles, so minimize how much carbon dioxide you pump into the atmosphere with smart decisions. If possible, select a venue that is close to friends and family, and organize carpooling options. Choose to have the reception at the same place or near the ceremony location to decrease travel on the big day. Some brides and grooms even hire buses to chauffeur their guests!

bouquet-of-wild-flowers-000086643819_Medium.jpg

Materials & Décor

Most weddings consume a lot of resources. Minimize your impact by using recycled and eco-friendly materials as much as possible. You can design electronic save-the-dates, print your invitations on recycled paper, use biodegradable plates and utensils, choose eco-friendly or used linens, and select seasonal, local flowers. Recycle or repurpose as much as possible afterwards. Re-sell items to other brides, so they don’t have to buy new.

Food & Desserts

Support positive, responsible methods of farming and raising food. Choose local suppliers to support business in your community. Choose vegan to avoid harming animals. If you want meat at your wedding, make sure it is Kosher certified or free range/cage-free. Select organic veggies to avoid pesticides and chemicals. A great way to know your food is legit is by hiring a caterer who specializes in a certain type of cuisine, or by doing it yourself.

Bride-holds-tiny-violet-flower-before-her-palm-000106023639_Medium.jpg

Going Away & Favors

Going away favors can cause a mess. If your venue allows confetti, get a biodegradable variety. If you want bubbles, find some that are non-toxic. Avoid rice, because it can be bad for birds and wildlife. Guests can instead ring bells or wave ribbons. Sparklers cannot be recycled; a good alternative is to use candles, which double as a nice gift for your guests. Other eco-friendly gift ideas include seeds, potted plants, or reusable water bottles.

Wardrobe & Beauty

Gowns made from organic fabrics are becoming more available. If you choose a used dress or wear something borrowed, you’re not only getting good luck, but reducing the number of new items manufactured for your wedding. Select makeup from cruelty-free brands (there will be a bunny on the label or it will say it was not animal-tested). Reduce waste by choosing accessories you already own or will use again.

***Bride-000096290541_Medium.jpg

Whether you make one eco-friendly choice or a dozen, know that your wedding will make a positive difference. And who knows? Your event may even inspire guests to incorporate changes into their daily lives—be it trying a vegan recipe or switching cosmetic brands. Every little bit counts!

Have more ideas about how to throw an earth-friendly wedding? Let us know!

Best Ways to Make Your Wedding Eco-Friendly

(via Shutterstock)

Do you know what the term “sustainability” means?

Do you turn off your lights, avoid running your sprinklers too much, and conserve heat during the winter? If you volunteer every Earth Day, you probably already know how to make sure your wedding day doesn’t trash the environment. Weddings consume lots of resources. You can minimize your impact with a few simple, strategic choices—from your invitations to your favors, every little bit counts!

Read on to find out how to plan a gorgeous celebration that supports environmental wellness.

Paperless Invitations

This one’s easy: paper comes from trees. The less paper you use, the fewer trees you chop down. This might seem minor, but consider that thousands of brides tie the knot every year—and each couple invites anywhere from one to hundreds of guests.

Go digital for your save-the-dates and wedding invitations, and you’ll help save whole forests. If you feel compelled to use a paper invitation, get one made from recycled paper and encourage your guests to recycle it again. Some businesses sell invitations that may be re-used as magnets or bookmarks.

Green Venue

Check out your venue’s environmental practices. Does it use natural gas heating? Does it use solar panels or have an environmentally-friendly building design? Is the location in a protected forest area or park, or do the proceeds go to support green spaces? Does the venue compost and recycle their waste? If you’re getting married in a garden, do they use pesticides or grow plants that will support pollinators? Ask these questions when booking; if you get a blank stare, look elsewhere.

Recycled Decorations

Remember the three R’s—reuse, reduce, recycle? Look for wedding decorations at thrift stores, antique shops, or sites such as Once Wed, so you’re not buying all your materials new. If you do happen to host a bohemian or vintage-style wedding, you can use old bottles for table toppers. You can also choose compostable utensils or cut down on waste by using dishes instead of throwing paper plates away.

Vintage Gowns

Terms to search for include “upcycled,” “vintage,” and “used.” You can go on Once Wed and other bridal dress sites to look for wedding gowns that have only been worn once—or, in some cases, not at all! This saves material and is a cheaper option than buying a brand-new dress. After all, why let such beauty go to waste? Go to a dry cleaner (that uses environmentally-friendly techniques) and you’re all set!

If you have your heart set on a new dress, you can also choose a company that sources organic fabrics and/or employs practices that are good for the environment. Consider doing the same for your bridesmaids’ dresses, too!

Seasonal, local flowers

Buy local, seasonal flowers for your decorations and bouquet. Source your flowers from a local, organic farm and choose varieties currently in bloom. Not only will this help cut costs, but you will do the environment a favor by supporting a business that does not use pesticides. You can also use succulents in your bouquet, as these desert plants need little water and can be re-planted!

Ethical Jewelry

Look for fair trade, conflict-free jewelry for your wedding. Consider these factors when choosing your engagement and wedding rings, too! Some jewelers even use recycled metals and craft designs from vintage pieces. Many companies also donate a portion of their profits to charities and community organizations! Seek them out and celebrate good causes as you commence your new marriage.

***

Remember, every choice counts; even one positive decision you make can help the environment! You’ve already taken the first step by reading this article; now have fun planning an eco-friendly and beautiful celebration.

What are your favorite tips for hosting an environmentally-conscious wedding? Let us know!