With sustainability being at the forefront of everyone’s mind, it isn’t a surprise that we are starting to see sustainability being a priority in many conscious couples’ weddings. Not only is sustainability beneficial for efforts towards better treatment of the planet and ecosystems, but sustainability is a cost-effective way to plan a wedding.
There are so many beautiful ways couples aim to make their weddings more sustainable. If you are starting to get your Pinterest board together to plan your dream wedding, make sure you are including some green features that will showcase your effort towards better environmental habits.
Why Choose a Sustainable Wedding?
If you are one of the many people who are curious as to what would make a wedding sustainable, you are in the same boat as many other soon-to-be weds. Essentially, a green wedding is when a couple plans to incorporate greener habits and features into the planning and experience of their wedding to reduce their environmental impact. This does not have to be a consumption-free wedding as this would be near impossible, but simply taking small and actionable measures to show your interest in reducing waste over your wedding will be effective.
Consider Antique Rings
First things first, you need to cover the basics which of course would include the wedding rings. Many people do not think ‘sustainable’ when it comes to buying wedding rings, but you can make a conscious effort to purchase antique rings rather than modern, mass-produced rings. Not only are antique rings an effective way to think greener, but they also hold so much beauty and history which you simply can not find with rings today. Antique diamond rings can be found in antique stores in brand-new condition, even though they have likely been around for centuries. You will even have the pleasure of choosing a ring that has a story behind it, as the experts can tell you the century it was made.
Have Fewer Guests
Additionally, it would be a good idea to consider inviting fewer guests to your wedding. Of course, there are hundreds of people that you may know who may expect an invite to your wedding, but whittling the list down to some of your most loved friends and family can make for a special occasion. Many couples make the mistake of catering for hundreds of people, wasting lots of food and money on a larger venue. With fewer guests, you are more likely to reduce your waste, and also reduce harmful energy consumption that is needed for large venues.
Look For Pre-Loved Fashion
One of the biggest decisions we have to make on our wedding days is what the bride and groom will be wearing, in addition to the bridesmaids and groomsmen. The cost of these materials is not only damaging to the environment, but it is also damaging to our bank accounts! The bride’s dress will be worn once and only once for the special occasion, and whilst it is a great piece of memorabilia, it can also be a waste. If you are looking to cut back on your consumption, you should consider finding preloved garments for your wedding. There are thousands of perfect-conditioned wedding attire available online and in charity shops. This would be a beautiful way to show your dedication toward sustainability on your wedding day.
Use Online Invites
Furthermore, another essential wedding feature is the wedding invitations that must be sent out to guests. Many couples today still enjoy creating and sending out paper invites, however, this can be very wasteful. The average person in the US uses 700 pounds of paper in one year, which of course begs the question of how much damage one person causes to the environment. The answer is a lot, and avoiding the use of paper at your wedding would be a valuable addition. Instead, send e-invites to your guests and allow them to RSVP using a specific application. There are tons of wedding applications today that allow you to send this out to your guests hassle-free, so it is a win-win for you and the environment.
Consider A Venue Close To Home
Also, one of the most environmentally damaging elements of a wedding is the burning of fuel for guests commuting for the wedding. Many guests find themselves travelling far for the wedding, due to the bride and groom choosing the perfect location far away from home. If you are having a smaller wedding, consider a venue that is closest to you, the couple, and also your guests. This will significantly reduce the amount of fuel that is required to commute to the wedding.
Rent Decorations
Most new couples will employ a wedding planner to manage their decorations and arrangements. If this is something you are planning on doing, try to find a wedding planner who also holds sustainability close to their heart. Chances are they will have the best tips to keep the decor looking beautiful, whilst keeping it eco-friendly. This would include renting decor to avoid waste that can be recycled, and potentially avoiding plastic items that could end up in landfills. For example if you are looking for an extra way to elevate your sustainable outdoor wedding, bamboo panels in melbourne would be a great solution to add the nature, sustainability element to the scenery.
Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself
The truth is that complete sustainability is not easy. A ‘net zero’ wedding might be possible, but it will take a considerable amount of time and money to get all of the sustainability tactics nailed. Instead, allow yourself to make occasional sustainable tweaks here and there, but don’t beat yourself up if you have to opt for buying things new. It is your wedding, after all, hopefully, you will only have to do this once! Plus, your guests will also have to buy new wedding guest dresses or abayas for traditional weddings. Just encourage people to wear new attire that they know they will wear again for weddings to come!
Final Thoughts
Weddings are one of the most special days of our lives. The memories that are made will last for all of our lives, but unfortunately, the unsustainable effects of weddings will last just as long as the memories. If you want to avoid your wedding features ending up in landfills, and instead showcase your desire for a better planet, you should aim to include as much sustainability as possible within your special day.