As much as we all want our wedding day to be unique, it would be best if it was not to the detriment of the environment. From the travel often required to gather all our loved ones in one place to the leftover food waste from the fancy meals, there is no getting away from the fact that the average wedding can be pretty wasteful.

More and more individuals are now looking into how they can make their weddings more sustainable. In her book called ‘The Green Bride Guide’, Kate Harrison states that the average wedding produces 400 pounds of rubbish and 63 tons of CO2. With a projected 2.5 million weddings happening each year, that is about 1 billion pounds of waste. This is approximately as many emissions as four people would produce in a year in just one single day.

With this shocking fact in mind, taking a few steps to make weddings a little more eco-friendly is the right thing to do. Of course, it does not mean the big day will be any less memorable, just that marriages begin with less pollution and be a celebration of love, along with a bit of respect to the environment around you. So here are a couple of suggestions on how you can do your bit to make your wedding more sustainable.

1. Think Carefully About The Location

It is well known that aeroplane and automobile emissions are enormous contributors to the damage being caused to the environment, so when choosing your wedding venue, pause and consider how you and your guests will be travelling to get there. If you are opting for a destination wedding, it could result in a lot of air travel, and if the venue is in a remote setting, there may be the need for increased car use. Of course, you should get married wherever you like. However, look at how you and your guests can reduce travel emissions. 

2. Ask Your Potential Wedding Venues Questions

How the wedding venue operates will have a significant impact on how sustainable your wedding will be. There are some venues that may still be struggling with recycling, while others will be working hard or have already achieved carbon-neutral status. If you do since they may not be getting to grips with sustainability, ask questions like:

• How do they dispose of food waste?
• Where do they source their ingredients?
• Do they have a plastic policy?
• Are they involved in any green initiatives?

3. Make Your Wedding Menu Eco-Friendly

Whether you are hiring an external catering company or the venue is providing the wedding food in-house, try to use a wedding caterer that has a sustainable ethos. This may include them sourcing local organic food, fairtrade products, and ethically produced ingredients wherever possible. If you want to reduce the wedding meal’s environmental impact drastically, you could opt for a vegan or vegetarian meal. Sourcing drinks, including alcohol, is also a great way to reduce the carbon footprint through local producers.

4. Dress In Ethical Bridal, Bridesmaid and Groomswear

There are many different ways to ensure your clothing on the day is beautiful yet ethical. In case you are a fan of retro fashion, you could buy a vintage wedding dress. Many people spend thousands on wedding attire only to wear it once and then sell on. Many charity shops now have bridal stores where you can pick up top designers and also help support a good cause.

If you would prefer new garments for you and the wedding party, try supporting designers that ensure fair working conditions for those producing the clothing and only source fabrics from suppliers that do the same. For the fashion-conscious, you could even source a local designer that can make you a bespoke bridal dress in locally sourced fabrics.

5. Source A Local Florist

To be genuinely environmentally inclined, it would be worth considering giving cut flowers a miss altogether. There are many beautiful potted plants that could be used as decoration. If you are, however, a huge flower enthusiast, try to find a florist who can source locally-grown flowers. You could also have a talk with them about what happens to the flowers after the ceremony to find a way to donate to a local hospital or retirement home.  

6. Decorate The Ceremony and Reception Areas With Reusable Decor

When it comes to decorating the reception and ceremony area, it can completely change the look of the space. What may have once been a simple area can be recreated into a magical theme which you and your guests can enjoy. While many want fancy balloons, disposable wedding dinnerware, and sky lanterns, if not disposed of properly, they can be damaging to the environment and local wildlife. Instead, you could check out some more eco-friendly decorating options. Why not use solar-powered fairy lights? There are some fantastic solar companies out there.

7. Ethical Skin Care Products and Wedding Make-Up

If you have not yet swapped over to cruelty-free and zero-waste personal care products, you could start as part of your pre-wedding beauty preparation. Many well-known brands are now offering ethical beauty products. If you would like to support local businesses, there are often some high quality locally produced products available too. The majority of make-up artists and hairstylists offer eco-friendly product options that are cruelty-free substitutes.

8. Consider The Environment When Honeymoon Planning

Honeymoons, for many, are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have an unforgettable adventure. To be environmentally minded does not mean you have to stay a couple of miles down the road, but carrying out a bit of research to make sure you are responsible can go a long way in protecting our environment. An eco-friendly honeymoon may include staying in solar-powered accommodation on a safari or supporting local restaurants and hotels once you get to your chosen destination.

Closing Thoughts

What could be better than starting your marriage by doing something positive for the environment? It shows respect for one another and those around you by making eco-friendly choices when it comes to your big day. Being aware of how much waste is produced every year from wedding celebrations means you can make a difference and choose green options for your big day.