Vendors & Venues
Fashion & Beauty
Weddings
Podcasts
Magazine
Events

Spotlight: Sustainable Wedding Ideas

Experts share eco-friendly tips to minimize your wedding's carbon footprint

October 23, 2023

Are you planning a wedding and looking for ways to make your special day more eco-friendly? In an era where environmental sustainability is at the forefront of our minds, why not extend these principles to your wedding? We've gathered expert tips to help you create a wedding that's not only memorable but also environmentally responsible. From eco-conscious candles to locally sourced ingredients, here are some great ideas to reduce your wedding's carbon footprint.

1. Illuminate the Atmosphere with Eco-Friendly Candles
Are you tired of wasting half-used candles and dealing with messy drippings? Vogue Candles offers an eco-friendly solution that will not only elevate your special event but also reduce your carbon footprint. As Mahan London from Vogue Candles wisely stated, 'Gone are the days of throwing away a half-used candle or having candle drippings everywhere.'

Most candles on the market are crafted from paraffin wax, a significant contributor to indoor air pollution. This petroleum-based material emits highly toxic fumes and leaves behind residue, posing a threat to your health and the environment. However, Vogue Candle granules are plant-based, leaving no residue and offering a safe, clean flame. London emphasizes that the candles are 'completely safe for you, your family, and the environment.'

Fran Steiner, the creative mind behind Events By Fran, emphasizes the importance of eco-friendly choices, saying, 'Use non-toxic candles that are plant-based, unscented, and residue-free, making them an eco-friendly candle option for weddings.'

To create an environmentally conscious ambiance for your wedding, opt for candles that meet these criteria and contribute to a healthier and more sustainable celebration.

Photo courtesy of Vogue Candles

2. Pass Your Wedding Dress Forward
Erin Scharf of Blue Sky Bridal wisely suggests, 'Sell or donate your wedding dress so it gets worn down the aisle a second time!' Rather than letting your beautiful gown collect dust, consider giving it a second life. Erin provides two eco-conscious options:

Donate Your Wedding Dress for a Tax Write-Off: Donating your dress to organizations like 'Brides for a Cause' not only helps brides on a budget but can also earn you a tax write-off. It's a win-win for your wallet and the environment.

Consign Your Wedding Dress with Blue Sky Bridal: If you'd like to recoup some of your expenses, consign your wedding dress with Blue Sky Bridal. This sustainable approach allows another bride to cherish and wear your gown once more.

Photo courtesy of Blue Sky Bridal

3. Go Local!
As Rob Pausmith of the Pausmith Group wisely advises, 'Prioritize local and seasonal ingredients to minimize your wedding's carbon footprint.' By doing so, you can make a significant impact on the sustainability of your wedding menu.

Support Local Farms: Choosing locally sourced ingredients means less transportation, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Your support for local farmers not only benefits your wedding but also the environment.

Embrace Seasonal Flavors: When you opt for ingredients that are in season, you're making an eco-conscious choice. These products require less energy for cultivation and storage since they're naturally thriving during their peak season.

Stefen Ross on behalf of Pausmith Group

4. Choose Biodegradable Tableware
According to Sarah Kuhlberg from Colette’s Catering & Events, 'Opt for biodegradable or compostable plates, flatware, and cups during your wedding. Offering bamboo options, rather than acrylic, aligns with your eco-conscious values.'

Here's how you can make a difference:

Eco-Conscious Tableware: Select biodegradable or compostable tableware to reduce your carbon footprint. These eco-friendly options break down naturally, minimizing waste and environmental impact.
Bamboo Over Acrylic: Prioritize bamboo tableware over acrylic alternatives for a more sustainable choice. Bamboo is renewable and biodegradable, making it an excellent option for eco-conscious weddings.
Recycling and Composting Stations: Implement clearly marked recycling and composting stations at your event to ensure that waste is stored properly. This eco-friendly approach encourages responsible waste management and minimizes the impact on the environment.

Catherine Chuang on behalf of Colette's Catering & Events

5. Eco-Friendly Fashion
As Danielle Conte from Friar Tux wisely suggests, 'Who doesn’t love fashion options when it comes to reducing the carbon footprint of your wedding?' When it comes to selecting wedding attire, you can make a positive environmental impact:

Rental and For-Purchase Collections: Consider rental and for-purchase options for suits, tuxedos, and accessories which allow you and your guests to wear stylish, high-quality garments for multiple occasions, reducing waste.
For-Purchase Suit/Tuxedo Separates: Extend the sustainability of your wedding attire with for-purchase suit and tuxedo separates. These garments are individually sized, minimizing the need for alterations. This eco-friendly choice ensures that everyone can enjoy attire they adore while reducing your carbon footprint.

BYC Photography on behalf of Friar Tux

6. Embrace House Plants in Your Decor
Elizabeth Victoria, owner of Elizabeth Victoria Photography, encourages couples to 'Use house plants in place of or in addition to flowers for your ceremony and reception decor.' This eco-friendly choice can significantly reduce your carbon footprint while enhancing the overall aesthetic of your wedding.

Here's how you can make your wedding greener:

Green Alternatives: Instead of traditional cut flowers, incorporate house plants into your decor. These living decorations not only look beautiful but also provide a more sustainable option.
Long-Lasting Beauty: House plants have the advantage of longevity. You can either give them to your guests at the end of the evening as memorable favors or keep them to adorn your home.
Lush and Beautiful Aesthetic: House plants add a lush and natural aesthetic to your wedding, creating a fresh and inviting atmosphere that complements your eco-conscious values.

Elizabeth Victoria Photography

7. Say No To Floral Foam
Mark Dillon Luna, owner of Mark Dillon Luna Events (MDL Events), advocates for eco-friendly floral designs, emphasizing that 'floral foam is a big killer when it comes to trying to be eco-friendly.' Instead, use natural elements in your floral arrangements, such as biodegradable foam, chicken wire, or moss.

Photo by Jessica Sofranko of MDL Events

8. Choose a Sustainable Venue
Louie Lyn Reyes from Allure Bridal Beauty offers a straightforward solution to minimize your wedding's carbon footprint: 'The easiest way to have an environmentally friendly wedding is to choose a ceremony and reception site that takes sustainability seriously.'

When selecting your wedding venue, look for spaces that prioritize eco-conscious practices. These venues not only offer a beautiful backdrop for your celebration but also support your efforts to reduce your environmental impact.

Cozy Captures on behalf of Allure Bridal Beauty