Think Sustainability When Wedding Planning

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Think Sustainability When Wedding Planning

Green weddings have been on trend for many years. Some couples aim for “zero-waste” weddings, while others just want to reduce their carbon footprint. If you’re planning a wedding, don’t forget to think about the impact your celebration will have on the environment.

Up-cycled Wedding Styles   

Whether you call them vintage, secondhand or recycled, choose wedding items that are “mindfully curated.” There are many things you can recycle and reuse, from cufflinks and decorations to bridesmaid dresses and more. Go to estate sales to find an engagement ring or wedding set. If you do want diamonds, shop for ethically sourced gems. Ask friends and family if they have decorations that you can borrow instead of buying new.

Choose Seasonal

When you’re choosing a menu, think about what food is in season and produced locally to be environmentally conscious. Start with a caterer who works with local producers. Locally grown food often tastes better and is fresher. It might limit your menu, but it will be greener than shipping in a lot of items from far away. Raid your flower bed for your bouquet and boutonnieres. Seasonal flowers may not completely match, but they’ll be fresher than most of what you get at the flower store. Want greenery? Use houseplants to decorate your tables. At the end of the reception, let your guests take one home as a souvenir.

Choose a Vegan or Vegetarian Menu

Plant-based meals use less resources than those dinners that rely on meat. It might seem controversial not to serve meat at a wedding reception, but there’s no reason to announce it. Just create a meal around vegetables. Use meat sparingly instead of as the main course. Salmon appetizers instead of salmon fillets reduce the amount of meat you need to buy. Shaved beef on top of a salad instead of filet mignon as the entrée can give the appearance of meat on the menu without the high cost.

Rethink Your Wedding Decorations

Give up the confetti or rice toss after the wedding. Use flower petals or find an environmentally friendly confetti. Don’t use balloons or other paper goods that need to be disposed of at the end of the night. If you do have leftover décor, donate it. You could even plan your décor with another bride who can use your items before passing them on. This gives a new meaning to “something borrowed.” Consider your wedding favors, too. There’s a reason edible gifts are on trend. They’re more eco-conscious and guests love them.

Sustainable: Avoid Single-Use Items

Rent silverware, glassware and dishes for your reception. It might be more expensive than disposable items, but it’s certainly better for the environment. Rent linens and napkins. It will immediately make your wedding more upscale and reduce the waste in the landfills from your wedding. Choose paper straws for cocktails. Host a plated dinner instead of having a buffet to reduce your food waste, too.

Think About the Venue

You may want to be green, but if the venue doesn’t have the same vision, it might be difficult to find ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Ask the venue what it does to reduce its impact on the environment. An informal outdoor wedding can be more eco-friendly than a church wedding. Consider how you and your guests will travel to the venue. If a destination wedding is your dream, you’ll need to think about how to offset the carbon footprint of a flight and all the related expenses. Give your guests a virtual option. Hire eco-friendly shuttles to transport out-of-town guests for convenience and reduced reliance on vehicles.

Be Creative

If a green wedding is your vision, you may need to get inventive with your ideas. It will be worth the additional time and energy you spend making your event green.

Think Sustainability When Wedding Planning

Green weddings have been on trend for many years. Some couples aim for “zero-waste” weddings, while others just want to reduce their carbon footprint. If you’re planning a wedding, don’t forget to think about the impact your celebration will have on the environment.

Up-cycled Wedding Styles   

Whether you call them vintage, secondhand or recycled, choose wedding items that are “mindfully curated.” There are many things you can recycle and reuse, from cufflinks and decorations to bridesmaid dresses and more. Go to estate sales to find an engagement ring or wedding set. If you do want diamonds, shop for ethically sourced gems. Ask friends and family if they have decorations that you can borrow instead of buying new.

Choose Seasonal

When you’re choosing a menu, think about what food is in season and produced locally to be environmentally conscious. Start with a caterer who works with local producers. Locally grown food often tastes better and is fresher. It might limit your menu, but it will be greener than shipping in a lot of items from far away. Raid your flower bed for your bouquet and boutonnieres. Seasonal flowers may not completely match, but they’ll be fresher than most of what you get at the flower store. Want greenery? Use houseplants to decorate your tables. At the end of the reception, let your guests take one home as a souvenir.

Choose a Vegan or Vegetarian Menu

Plant-based meals use less resources than those dinners that rely on meat. It might seem controversial not to serve meat at a wedding reception, but there’s no reason to announce it. Just create a meal around vegetables. Use meat sparingly instead of as the main course. Salmon appetizers instead of salmon fillets reduce the amount of meat you need to buy. Shaved beef on top of a salad instead of filet mignon as the entrée can give the appearance of meat on the menu without the high cost.

Rethink Your Wedding Decorations

Give up the confetti or rice toss after the wedding. Use flower petals or find an environmentally friendly confetti. Don’t use balloons or other paper goods that need to be disposed of at the end of the night. If you do have leftover décor, donate it. You could even plan your décor with another bride who can use your items before passing them on. This gives a new meaning to “something borrowed.” Consider your wedding favors, too. There’s a reason edible gifts are on trend. They’re more eco-conscious and guests love them.

Sustainable: Avoid Single-Use Items

Rent silverware, glassware and dishes for your reception. It might be more expensive than disposable items, but it’s certainly better for the environment. Rent linens and napkins. It will immediately make your wedding more upscale and reduce the waste in the landfills from your wedding. Choose paper straws for cocktails. Host a plated dinner instead of having a buffet to reduce your food waste, too.

Think About the Venue

You may want to be green, but if the venue doesn’t have the same vision, it might be difficult to find ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Ask the venue what it does to reduce its impact on the environment. An informal outdoor wedding can be more eco-friendly than a church wedding. Consider how you and your guests will travel to the venue. If a destination wedding is your dream, you’ll need to think about how to offset the carbon footprint of a flight and all the related expenses. Give your guests a virtual option. Hire eco-friendly shuttles to transport out-of-town guests for convenience and reduced reliance on vehicles.

Be Creative

If a green wedding is your vision, you may need to get inventive with your ideas. It will be worth the additional time and energy you spend making your event green.

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