How to Make Your Wedding Eco-Friendly

The amount of flowers and decorations I have saved from the trash and taken home from weddings is insane. There is no denying that weddings produce a lot of unnecessary waste. As people are becoming more and more ethically minded, I encourage you to do what you can to make eco-friendly choices when planning your big day. Sourcing locally and recycling may feel daunting when you are already overwhelmed booking vendors within your budget. Check out these quick and easy tips to plan a beauitufl wedding not at the expense of mother nature.

The Invitations

Paper products eat up millions of tress and pollute the environment. Nowadays there are countless paperless options for your save-the-dates, wedding invitations, or both. However, if you still want to do your invitations the old-fashion way, look for stationers who offer recycled paper products and use vegetable-based inks.

The Dress

The best way to be eco-friendly when it comes to dress shopping is to make your wedding dress your "something borrowed." Re-wearing your mother's or another family member's wedding gown will mean the world to her. If you love the sentimentality of wearing your mother's dress, but aren't crazy about the style of the dress itself, find a great seamstress who can alter it to your style. It is amazing what removing sleeves and adjusting necklines can do for a gown.

The Food

Consider opting for family style or buffet style dining as it produces less waste and expense. Let's be honest, plated dinners are more expensive and also lead to food being uneaten and thrown in the garbage. That being said, avoid plastic plates and rent or use ceramic dishware so it can be washed and used again.

The Linens

Renting the linens needed for the reception not only minimizes your carbon footprint, but also relieves a lot of stress since you don't have to worry about ironing them beforehand. Pass the job of washing, sorting, and transporting the linens to a professional. As a general rule of thumb, renting is always greener and easier.

The Party Favors

Creating a kit for your guest to plant a tree or the flowers from your bouquet is both inexpensive and heartwarming. Your guests will always think back to this special day when they look at the blooming plant you helped them grow.

Category: Wedding Tips