6 Steps to a Sustainable Wedding
Weddings are usually associated with making memories, and it doesn’t have to stop there! They can also be about making a difference by focusing on simple ways to make your wedding sustainable. On average, a 6-hour wedding produces at least 400 pounds of waste (1) and 63 tons of carbon dioxide. That’s the same amount of waste that 88 people produce in a full day.
While “less is more” may seem like the way to go, there are so many other ways to start making your wedding better for the environment while still having the wedding of your dreams. While having a zero-waste or waste neutral wedding may be ideal for our eco-conscious couples, it doesn’t seem quite feasible for everyone. If you’re hoping to make a positive environmental impact while celebrating your big day, consider MLE’s six simple steps to creating a sustainable wedding!
Step 1: Invest in Eco-Friendly Paper Products
It’s no secret that your invitation suite is one of the first things to set the tone for your big day. Once those are sent out and you add in menus and escort cards your paper products really start to add up. The higher your guest count, the more paper products you use! Luckily, there are several options to consider when looking for eco-friendly options:
Go Digital: While traditional invitation suites call for an invite, several inserts, and even a couple of envelopes, going digital can bring that count to zero! Going digital has its perks; it can save you money on printing and postage and can streamline your RSVP process.
Find Recycled Options: For some couples, printed invites will be the only way to go (and even if you send out digital invites, paper products may be an essential part of your reception). Instead of nixing paper completely, ask your vendors about using recycled paper. You can find a variety of colors and textures to match your style.
Give Back to the Environment: Imagine your guests receiving an invitation that they can plant at home! Or a menu card that turns into a windowsill floral arrangement. Both of these are completely possible when you choose to use plantable, seeded paper. Whether it’s gifting your guests wildflowers or sunflowers, you’ll be giving back to the environment by simply switching your paper source!
Step 2: Team Up on Accommodations
Destination weddings are the dream for so many couples -- whether it’s a new exotic place or somewhere you’ve already made memories! But destination weddings come with lots of travel for the couple and their guests. Whether guests choose to fly or drive in, you have the opportunity to provide a sustainable option for them when they arrive.
Help make the choice to be sustainable easy by providing room blocks at hotels that are close to your wedding venues and planning on group transportation. While ride-sharing options can be convenient, offering shuttle services to your guests helps cut down on vehicle emissions and creates more bonding time for them. It also makes it safer for guests who might be driving in an unfamiliar area. Take it up a notch by choosing lodging and transportation that come with amenities; if everything your guests need is in the building they won’t have to worry about traveling elsewhere!
Step 3: Bring it to the Table
Going green doesn’t have to be limited to the salad on your menu! Food flavor always seems to have a lasting impression, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Show your guests you care about the environment while still providing a delicious dinner.
When looking for caterers, seek out companies whose chefs source local ingredients to put on your plate. This helps cut down on carbon emissions from trucking and shipping companies who send the food to your location from all over the country.
You’ll also want to think about presentation - if you can, try opting for a plated meal and passed hors d’ oeuvres instead of buffet-style service. When food portions are pre-selected, less food will go to waste and you’ll still have enough for all of your guests!
Lastly, find ways to incorporate more eco-friendly dishware and flatware. As an industry, we’ve come a long way from simple white paper plates. Consider using bamboo or sugarcane plates, bowls, and silverware to serve your guests delicious farm to table food on stunning natural plates. They’ll bring an earthy, rustic feel to your event while taking care of the environment.
Step 4: Floral & Decor
Your floral and decor are often the focal point of your event! Whether you have floral installations, stunning bouquets, or fresh centerpieces, the colors and textures always catch your eye. While important, floral often takes a large portion of your budget and isn’t usable past your wedding day.
Instead of using new flowers for every portion of your event, try repurposing your floral. The centerpieces from your rehearsal dinner can be readjusted to go in a floral installation at the reception. Or ceremony statement pieces can be used to dress up your stage and dance floor! After the event, ask your florist if they can re-gift your arrangements to local nursing homes and hospitals, or ask that they be composted.
Likewise, talk to your florist about adding in candles to brighten the room. Adding candles to your table creates a warm, intimate atmosphere while also providing light. This means you can shut off the overhead lights and conserve energy!
Step 5: Invite Your Guests to Join You
Gifts are a staple at a wedding - both given to the bride and groom and given to guests as favors! Consider forgoing a traditional wedding registry and encouraging guests to join you in creating a more eco-friendly gift exchange.
Instead of asking for gifts that will need to be flown, mailed, and shipped to you after the wedding, invite guests to make donations to your favorite local charity. By doing this, you cut down on transport costs and have the opportunity to give back to your community.
Another option is to set up a honeymoon or home buying fund. Guests will feel great knowing their gift will go to good use, and you’ll have fewer unwanted gifts that end up by the wayside.
And of course, we can’t forget about your guests! When choosing favors, ask yourself, “what will my guests use?” Depending on your guest list, the answer could be anything. A safe bet is to go with edible favors that you know your guests will enjoy. This is a great way to infuse custom flavors and include local treats (we love to support local businesses) and these types of favors will actually make it home with your guests rather than be left behind at the end of the night.
Step 6: Seal the Deal
As your wedding weekend dies down, think of heading off in style as the newlyweds! Traditionally, when exiting the wedding reception, couples have rice thrown on them as a symbol of good luck. Rice is actually dangerous for the birds and other animals. Additionally, while sparkler send-offs are beautiful, having fire at your wedding includes inherent risk -- especially in dryer climates! Luckily there are plenty of natural options you can use as substitutes for a grand exit. Consider having your guests toss dried or fresh flower petals, biodegradable confetti, or fresh leaves for a fun, colorful send-off just before sunset. Bubbles and ribbon wands will bells attached also make for a fun and festive departure. If you’re super daring, opt for some environmentally friendly silly string for something fun, colorful, and humorous.
Lowering the amount of waste at your wedding can seem like a daunting task, but these easy steps are a great way to get started. By choosing simple eco-friendly options in your planning process, you’ll be on your way to a more sustainable wedding in no time. Decide which options work best for your preferences and style and get ready to make memories while making a difference!
(1) Reum, Carter. “The Secret Waste That Weddings Leave Behind.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 20 Apr. 2012, 12:45PM, www.huffpost.com/entry/the-secret-waste-that-weddings-leave_b_1439118.
