Many of us are looking for ways to tread lighter on our precious planet. And although weddings are such a special day, they too can be quite wasteful. Lucky for us there are loads of ideas and creative suppliers, that can help your wedding day reflect your eco-friendly values without skimping on style.
When picking out your botanical decor and bouquets work with your florist on choosing native and seasonal blooms that are grown locally. Therefore, reducing transport kilometres as well as the risk of spreading exotic weed seeds at your venue.
With abundant sunlight and the beauty of nature as your backdrop, an outdoor wedding can be one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Add in having your ceremony, reception and accommodation in one location and you take it one step further by reducing the need for transportation.
When it comes to decor, one of the best ways to reduce waste is to go second hand or, for a more budget-friendly option, rent your favourites. Whether its a vintage gown or rustic tableware and seating, you’ll save in more ways than one by hiring out rather than buying new.
With so many farm to table catering options available, choosing an earth-friendly option doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice taste. Let your eco-ethics help you home in on the delectable eats that best suit your tastebuds. Look for caterers who choose to cook with locally sourced, organic and seasonal ingredients. The more local the supplier the lower the carbon footprint your special day will have. And if you want to minimise the amount of resources needed to produce your gourmet meal further, consider serving a completely plant-based menu.
Although it may seem like a small thing, tossing anything but plants on the lawn could cause some undeserving wildlife to meet their demise. Go with dried flowers, petals, or even hole punched leaves, for your guests to celebrate your walk down the aisle. The birds will sing your praises.
Large events are known for producing leftovers. Plan ahead with your caterers to make sure any excess food can be packed up properly and sent away with guests or donated to the local food shelter so that it doesn’t go to waste.
Lastly, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly option to favours, why not opt for edible or plantable favours. Packets of native wildflowers to increase bee populations or your favourite ethically sourced chocolates wrapped in compostable packaging will leave that joy-filled impression. Otherwise, if you’d rather do away with favours altogether, a kind gesture would be to donate the money you would have spent on favours to a favourite charity organisation.
Written by Michelle King
