Brides’ guide to:Planning an Eco-FriendlyWedding without Sacrificing Style
In an era where sustainability is at the forefront, eco-friendly weddings have emerged as a popular trend. Embracing the eco-friendly wedding movement will allow you to enjoy your celebration of love and commitment while treading lightly on Mother Earth. Planning a sustainable wedding doesn’t have to compromise on style or elegance. Sustainable practices can add a unique charm to the occasion, making it all the more memorable for you and your guests. Let’s delve into some creative tips and practical strategies to help you plan an eco-conscious wedding paved with mindful choices.
Eco-Friendly Stationery
There are many eco-friendly stationery options to choose from. One of our favorite options is seeded paper. It’s a great option to use as a wedding favor. One of our previous clients used custom plant pots as wedding favors and printed their thank you cards on seeded paper so their guests could plant after their wedding.
Decorate with Potted Plants
According to HuffPost, the average wedding produces 400-600 lbs of garbage! Discarded decor and flowers account for a large portion of this waste. Potted plants are a wonderful alternative to cut flowers and make for fantastic ceremony decorations and reception table centerpieces. Not to mention the beauty, natural charm, and fresh atmosphere these living adornments bring to a venue. Turn to online resources like HomeGardenHero to find potted plants that match your wedding theme or color scheme. Be sure to pick plants that are easy to care for, especially if you plan on gifting the plants to your guests!
Reduce Food Waste
Weddings also produce a lot of food waste. One way to limit waste is by opting for a plated dinner over a buffet so your caterer can more accurately calculate the number of servings needed. Food trucks or stalls serving cook-to-order items, such as tacos, pizza, or crepes, are also great for reducing waste. Using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients can further help optimize the sustainability of your cuisine. Additionally, consider sending leftovers home with guests or donating excess food to local shelters to ensure it doesn’t go to waste.
Minimize Single-Use Plastics
From decor and cutlery to wedding favors and confetti, single-use plastics are pervasive in the wedding industry. Look for creative alternatives to these common plastic items. For example, MarthaStewart.com explains that you can rent glassware and flatware for events and have guests throw birdseed in place of confetti. You could even hit up a thrift store for assorted stemware and ceramic plates for your event, though this approach would work best for a wedding of rustic, vintage, bohemian, or whimsical theme.
Consult a Wedding Planner
An experienced wedding planner, such as Heart & Bustle, can offer invaluable advice on designing an eco-friendly wedding that doesn’t compromise on style. Your wedding planner will have connections with a network of vendors, which can help you select options that align with your environmental values. From recommending eco-conscious venues to curating eco-friendly decor and favors, a wedding planner can seamlessly integrate sustainable elements into every aspect of your celebration. Plus, hiring a wedding planner will take a lot of stress off your shoulders!
Planning a sustainable wedding is not only good for the planet but can be personally rewarding as well. Stay true to your eco-friendly values and talk to your wedding planner about how you can make your wedding more sustainable. Whether you decide to decorate with potted plants or keep your wedding invitations digital, making a conscious effort to reduce your impact will help you contribute to a greener world while still hosting a lavish celebration.
Are you looking for a wedding planner to help bring your vision to life while honoring your eco-friendly values? Contact Heart & Bustle today so we can discuss your ideas! Email hello@heartandbustle.com to get in touch.