How to plan a sustainable wedding day
When planning your wedding day, it's important to be mindful of the environmental impact of your celebration, don’t you agree?
That's why doing your absolute best to plan a sustainable wedding is the ideal way to celebrate your love for each other and for our planet to reduce your carbon footprint. Every little action you take helps when it comes to being eco-ethical and eco-friendly!
First up, let’s calculate your estimated carbon footprint for your wedding day and per guest to gain a crystal clear picture of your celebration impact. Simply answer the questions within the Wedding Footprint Calculator (thank you fabulous team at Less Stuff More Meaning) to see what effect your wedding day will have.
Relaxed and carefree ceremony on Mount Ngungun, Glasshouse Mountains - captured by talented Terri Hanlon Photography
Okay, now you’re aware of just how much your wedding day is going to impact on our precious planet, it’s time to think of ways to reduce your wedding footprint. Here are some ideas to help make your special day eco-friendly and make your heart and Mother Earth sing!
First up, your ceremony and what matters most to you.
Let's kickstart with your ceremony because it encapsulates the very reason you are embarking on this incredible journey. Your ceremony is the heart and soul of your wedding, and it's all about what truly matters to you both.
Delve into your core values and infuse them into every aspect of your ceremony. Say goodbye to overwhelming expectations and hello to a more serene and mindful celebration. Set your key priorities and let the planning process unfold, knowing that your ceremony will be an unforgettable, fun-filled expression of your love and the beginning of your amazing journey together.
Choose a Celebrant who shares your values, has similar interests to you and who feels like a friend when you chat with them. This great connection between you and your Celebrant will ensure your ceremony reflects the essence of who you truly are.
Be expressive with your Celebrant so they can create a ceremony that is bursting with meaning and joy, where your love takes centre stage, where you and your guests can immerse yourselves in the beauty of your unique love story and every moment is filled with great intention, laughs and happy tears.
Spread the love and create a vibrant wedding legacy! Let's ensure your guests feel the warmth for years to come. Pen heartfelt letters for them to read at the ceremony, making them an integral part of the celebration, not just witnesses.
Fun wedding vibes at The Rocks, Yandina caught perfectly by Iris Faith Photography
Choose a venue that aligns with your values and is environmentally friendly.
One thing you could consider is having your wedding outdoors in a beautiful park or a beach location with breathtaking views. An outdoor location is a great way to take advantage of natural lighting and beautiful scenery, reducing the need for artificial lighting and decorations. Plus, it's a great way to connect with nature and your guests can enjoy fresh air and sunshine.
If you have a venue in mind, chat with them to ensure they're committed to sustainable practices, like recycling and composting. Do they have the facilities to aim towards zero waste? Is this part of their company values?
Ask if they can provide you with all you need for your ceremony and reception so you’re not bringing anything in which could end up as landfill.
Reduce waste by opting for reusable or compostable items. For instance, ditch the paper napkins and go for beautiful cloth ones instead. And, let's talk about those straws - choose glass or metal ones instead of plastic. Your guests will love it!
Ditch single use items and rent or hire everything from décor to plants.
If need be, plan ahead and create solutions on how you’re going to dispose all the waste carefully – arbour, flowers, flavours, food, alcohol, cans, décor, cake, so many things to dispose of, isn’t there?
Photo Credit: Jordan Arnold, Unsplash
Reduce waste and carbon emissions by inviting less guests.
Remember the carbon footprint result you received in the Wedding Footprint Calculator? Consider inviting only those who are nearest and dearest to you to reduce waste, decorations, food, carbon emissions, money, and the possibility of any drama. Relaxed and fuss free wedding, yes please!
Choose a caterer that sources locally and uses organic produce.
Not only will your meals taste amazing, but you’ll be supporting local farmers and reducing your carbon footprint. Paying attention to how you consume on your wedding day may result in a new lifestyle, new habits and lifelong practices too!
The way you cut your cake can reduce wastage too. Be careful not to cut down the middle. Instead, cut 2 inches from the side, straight down and then create smaller slices. You may wish to provide recyclable takeaway containers for guests to take their slice of cake home.
Chat with your caterer about reducing as much food and waste as possible. Do they have a composting or green waste solution in practice?
Donate leftover food. OzHarvest will come and collect it from your venue!
Create Digital Invitations
Instead of traditional paper invites, why not send digital invitations? Not only will you be saving trees but also money and time on printing and postage.
If you still have your heart set on physical invitations, you can use recycled or biodegradable paper, or even seed paper that you can plant after the wedding. How awesome is that?
Use natural and reusable items for your décor and gift ideas.
Firstly, avoid balloons, which can be harmful to our wildlife. Instead, choose a sustainable option such as potted plants, recycled paper decorations, or reusable banners. It's a win-win!
Visit your local Op Shop, you’ll be very surprised by what you may find! Costume jewellery such as pearls, diamantes, and other faux gems can be used for your centrepieces or bouquet.
Buy cute teacups and plant herbs or succulents in them as gifts for your guests.
Find crockery and glassware for your rustic themed wedding.
Old books create a warm and welcoming setting for your guestbook table.
Gift your guests a long standing gesture by giving them seeds or a tree to plant.
Consider reusing your arbor after your ceremony by placing it behind you at your reception. If it’s wooden, you may be able to find a creative way to repurpose the wooden pieces to create something else after your wedding day, like a veggie patch or cute little flower pots!
Photo Credit: Unsplash ~ The HK Photo Company
Get in harmony with the environment with a like-minded eco-friendly Florist.
A Florist who values our planet will not use floral foam. They can suggest seasonal blooms and explain alternative environmentally friendly methods of supporting your floral arrangements.
Create thoughtfully curated flower arrangements, potted plants, or charming vintage and upcycled items which double up as décor and guest gifts.
Repurpose your flowers as heartfelt gifts for your guests, letting them continue their journey beyond your ceremony and reception.
Spread the love and create eco-friendly centrepieces with succulents in glass jars, which can later be lovingly rehomed as gifts or for yourself.
Cute moment caught perfectly by Kayla Temple Photography
Step up your eco-game and be mindful of your fashion.
Embrace sustainability by opting for a wedding dress made from ethical and sustainable materials, or try renting one.
Encourage your wedding party to follow suit with eco-friendly attire.
Consider borrowing or buying second-hand dresses from family and friends which adds a super sentimental touch to your special day or find outfits crafted from organic cotton, linen, hemp, or recycled fabrics.
You may even wish to donate your own wedding dress to keep up the tradition! Reduce waste, save money, and shine in style!
Give back to the world in a meaningful way.
Last but not least, let's do some good in the world. Instead of traditional wedding favours, give back by making a donation to a charitable cause that supports the environment or social justice. It's a beautiful way to show your love to the world.
Serene elopement moment on Emu Mountain, Sunshine Coast by Terri Hanlon Photography
Just imagine if we all did something small to benefit our planet every day? The small changes you make on your wedding day will have a massive impact! Who knows, having an eco-friendly wedding may just create lifelong practices not only for yourself, but for your guests to implement in the future too.
A thoughtful and sustainable wedding is a wonderful way to make your special day unique and memorable while doing your part to make the world a better place. So go out there and make a difference!
Feeling inspired?
Grab a copy of the Mindfully Wed E-Guide to get started on creating your eco-ethical wedding day!
Grab a cuppa and watch the insightful and inspiring series “Sustainably Wed”.
Want to have your own serene Sunshine Coast wedding day without all the fuss and frills?
Contact me today to bring your vision to fruition with like-minded and talented Photographer, Terri Hanlon. Ask how we will help you create your super sweet elopement at exclusive and simply stunning Tamarind Grove in Noosa, with just your two witnesses set within luxurious tropical gardens. Spots are limited so enquire today!