As I prepare to tie the knot in 2018, my fiancé and I are taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint even further. It’s been a creative challenge, but after some research, we’ve found that hosting an eco-friendly wedding is surprisingly achievable. By choosing responsible vendors, minimizing waste, and giving back, couples can not only have a sustainable celebration but also contribute to the well-being of the planet. In fact, with a little planning, your special day can even help restore the beauty of our earth. We’ve discussed the concept of ‘giveback’ weddings before, but here are 12 practical tips to make your wedding a force for good.
Hire Responsible Wedding Vendors
We cast our votes through financial transactions – the decisions we make about where and how we spend our money have a profound impact on the wedding industry’s standards. By supporting eco-friendly and responsible vendors, we’re sending a clear message that ethical choices are valued and will ultimately benefit their businesses.To identify responsible wedding vendors, simply ask the right questions during initial conversations. For instance, inquire about their carbon footprint, renewable energy sources, recycling practices, or any certifications from environmental agencies. If they’re proud of their eco-friendly credentials, you can bet it’ll be prominently featured on their website and marketing materials.At Villa Santa Cruz in Todos Santos, our venue of choice is solar-powered, water-conscious, and encourages us to reduce our energy consumption at midnight by powering down large lights and amplifiers. But the party doesn’t stop there – we take our celebration to the beach with a bonfire and portable speakers, ensuring an unforgettable experience.Corinne Graves’ commitment to giving back to local animal sanctuaries or wildlife rehabilitation centers resonated deeply with us when selecting a wedding photographer. While her stunning photos initially caught our attention, it was her dedication to philanthropy that ultimately won us over and earned her our business.
Send Paperless Invites
While I can appreciate the charm of traditional wedding invitations, I understand that not everyone prioritizes this aspect of their big day. If going digital with save the dates and invitations isn’t your cup of tea, consider custom designing or purchasing a paperless suite from reputable online platforms like Paperless Post. This allows you to support talented graphic designers while minimizing waste and reducing environmental impact. By allocating time previously spent on designing physical invites towards creating an engaging website experience for friends and family, you’ll not only contribute to a more eco-friendly wedding but also save valuable resources – both financial and environmental.
Carefully Plan Your Floral Design
As a wedding planner who’s had the privilege of overseeing ten weddings per year for nearly a decade, I’ve witnessed firsthand the heartbreak of perfectly beautiful bouquets and floral arrangements being carelessly discarded. The harsh reality is that repurposing these quickly wilting lovelies can be daunting when you’re preparing to jet off on your honeymoon. However, there are ways to give those flowers a fulfilling life. For instance, consider partnering with a company that rents bouquets for multiple weddings over the weekend, thereby giving them a full and worthy existence. Alternatively, instead of ordering custom centerpieces, repurpose those stunning bridesmaid bouquets as your dinner table centerpiece after portraits are complete – I’m sure your girls won’t miss carrying them around on the dance floor. By reducing the number of bouquets needed, you’ll not only save money but also reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact. When possible, hand over your flowers to nearby guests who can use them in their homes or offices. Some enterprising florists, like Framed Florals, will even press and frame your bouquet or utilize its petals to hand-dye silks, allowing you to cherish those memories forever. Ultimately, buying local and choosing flowers that are in season is the most effective way to minimize carbon emissions from shipping exotic blooms from far-off tropical climates.
Use Biodegradable Products
While brainstorming solutions to a wedding dilemma of ours, we stumbled upon an eco-friendly answer that not only resolved the issue but also reduced our environmental footprint. The problem was finding a reliable way to clean up after our reception without wasting precious water in the arid Baja desert. A friend’s suggestion led us to discover the charm of modern disposable plates and utensils. We were impressed by the range of stylish bamboo and biodegradable dining sets available, each one crafted from the sustainable resource that is bamboo – which grows an astonishing two feet daily, making it an affordable and renewable option. Not only did we eliminate water waste, but our dinnerware won’t be contributing to landfills for centuries to come. Plus, these eco-friendly alternatives proved cheaper than renting traditional dinnerware, a win-win-win solution.
Reduce Your Wedding Waste
Wedding favors can be a thoughtful and fun way to show appreciation to your guests. However, for couples who are hosting a destination wedding, bringing home favors may not be feasible or environmentally friendly. To address this, you could consider diverting the funds you would spend on favors towards extra food or events for your guests. Alternatively, you could opt for an open bar to make the experience more enjoyable. If you still want to offer a token of appreciation, consider creating packets from recycled paper containing seeds of your favorite flowers. This not only reduces waste but also allows your guests to plant and nurture their own special favor, promoting sustainability.
Buy Vintage & Recycled Dresses & Attire
When it comes to bridal wear, there’s a stylish way to reduce your environmental footprint. Buying vintage dresses for the bride and her attendants not only gives gowns a second chance at life but also saves the earth from textile waste, production emissions, and often shipping emissions. Whether you opt for local vintage boutiques or online platforms like Nearly Newly Wed & Still White, you’re supporting sustainable fashion by breathing new life into pre-loved garments.
Another eco-friendly option is to purchase new dresses designed with recycled fabrics and produced using ethical business practices. The Reformation, for instance, provides detailed stats on the recycled materials used in each dress and the environmental benefits, such as CO2, water, and waste savings.
If you simply can’t resist that brand-new 2018 wedding gown (we’ve all been there!), consider complementing your look with vintage accessories, shoes, or bridesmaid dresses. Mixing new and pre-loved pieces still contributes to a more sustainable fashion choice.
Choose An Ethical Ring
With numerous organizations certifying jewelers, finding eco-friendly engagement and wedding rings has become increasingly straightforward. This certification process ensures that the jewelry is made using ethically sourced diamonds and gems, as well as recycled precious metals. Moreover, the packaging of your ring can also make a positive environmental impact. For instance, you could opt for a box made from recycled wood or one sourced from a vintage goods shop.
Find A Farm-To-Table Caterer
By incorporating locally sourced ingredients into your menu, you can not only tantalize your taste buds with vibrant flavors, but also make a positive impact on the environment. The reduction of emissions from shipping produce from distant farms is just one of the many benefits. If a farm-to-table option isn’t available at your venue, consider partnering with a caterer that prioritizes organic produce and responsibly sourced fish and meat, ensuring that your celebration not only leaves a lasting impression but also supports sustainable agriculture practices.
Get Thrifty!
Just as buying vintage clothing gives old pieces a new lease on life, scouring thrift stores for your wedding decor can breathe fresh air into existing items. By opting for second-hand over newly manufactured goods, you’re not only reducing waste but also giving beloved treasures a chance to shine once more. Imagine the unique charm that comes from incorporating vintage cake plates, expertly repurposed candle holders, or mixing and matching dinnerware rentals with one-of-a-kind china finds.
Dance Under The Stars
Capture the moment with a photo by Rad + In Love via Bridal Musings. To reduce light pollution and make your wedding party more enjoyable, consider dimming the lights or turning off generators during a specific time slot. This way, you can cut down on unnecessary electricity consumption without disrupting the festivities. I personally find that many dance floors can be overwhelmingly bright, making it difficult to let loose and have fun. By adjusting the lighting, you can create a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere, perfect for dancing the night away.
Make A Charity Wedding Registry
For couples who have already established their home life, a charity wedding registry can be a meaningful way to make a positive impact on the environment. This approach allows you to support a cause that is important to you and your partner, while also helping others. To find an organization that uses donations efficiently, check out Charity Watch, which provides information on organizations that allocate most of their funds towards charitable programs. Once you’ve identified a worthy cause, link it to your wedding website and mention it in your invitations, so that your guests can make informed decisions about their gifts.
Plan A Wild Giveback Day
When planning a destination wedding, it’s wonderful to incorporate events that invite friends and family to participate in meaningful activities. One unique idea is to organize wildlife excursions disguised as ‘giveback days’ where guests can volunteer together. This concept combines fun with purpose, as we did when Jack and I will be exchanging vows at the beach where baby turtles return to the sea. Many of my friends have expressed interest in joining this experience, and I’m sure yours will too! Research local wildlife volunteering opportunities near your wedding location to create a day that not only nourishes the soul but also piques guests’ curiosity. If you’re looking for more ways to make your special day impactful, consider these five giveback wedding ideas.