Sustainable weddings continue to rise in popularity. Some people say they're just a trend, but the truth is that a lot of folks care about being eco-conscious. While it may look like a trend, it may be here to stay. Below, find tips to help you plan the perfect eco-friendly wedding.
Rethink Florals
Most weddings have flowers. The arrangements may be different for each wedding, but there's going to be flowers somewhere, and that isn't always as green as it could be. One issue with flowers at weddings is that they are tossed or thrown away afterward. If you want to be a little greener, you may want to donate the flowers to a local hospital or nursing home. You can take things even further. Some folks feel strange plucking flowers, so they decorate their weddings using potted plants instead that can be given away. You could also use dried flowers, which can last a long time, so you can keep and give some away.
Choosing Greener Invitations
Paper is wasted when you print your invitations. Yes, these look beautiful, but they increase your carbon footprint. Some couples opt for digital invitations, but there's something special about holding your invitations. If you want to continue this tradition and create something you can feel good about, then you can consider floral wedding invitations made from 100% recycled paper. You can do everything you'd do with regular paper, so you should be able to create the wedding invitations you've been dreaming about.
A Sustainable Dress
You don't want to feel like the dress of your dreams isn't as eco-conscious as it could be. If you want your dress to be as sustainable as possible, you need to search for the right company. The right company will tell you that their dresses were made using sustainable fabrics and under good working conditions. These companies are growing, so they need your support so that they can continue to grow and help other couples find that perfect eco-friendly dress. Of course, you don't have to invest in a new dress if you don't want to. Another good option is to simply rent your clothes, including your wedding dress. If you want to own it, then consider going to antique shops or vintage stores to see if you can find a beautiful dress for your wedding after you have it tailored.
Getting an Eco-Friendly Venue
The next thing you need to worry about is the venue. A lot of people might think a venue is just a venue. Well, the truth is that some venues are more eco-conscious than others. For example, an outdoor setting is more eco-friendly than an indoor one. Outdoors, you can use natural light instead of turning on the lights. Usually, outdoor venues work hard to make sure they have roses and other plant life, which is great for the environment since that is plant life. If you want an indoor setting, find a company with like-minded goals. The venue could use candles to light the room, or they may have skylights already installed to help light up your wedding venue. Ask to see in what other ways these venues are being more eco-friendly.
The next thing you need to worry about is the venue. A lot of people might think a venue is just a venue. Well, the truth is that some venues are more eco-conscious than others. For example, an outdoor setting is more eco-friendly than an indoor one. Outdoors, you can use natural light instead of turning on the lights allowing for a perfect wedding video! Usually, outdoor venues work hard to make sure they have roses and other plant life, which is great for the environment since that is plant life. If you want an indoor setting, find a company with like-minded goals. The venue could use candles to light the room, or they may have skylights already installed to help light up your wedding venue. Ask to see in what other ways these venues are being more eco-friendly.
Staying Local
Food is important at a wedding, but the food you choose to serve could be environmentally friendly or not. While you might have certain ideas about what you want to serve during your big day, all of that needs to be put aside. One thing to consider is transportation. If the food you're serving uses ingredients that grow in other places around the world, then you're contributing to the issue. Globalization has made it easier for folks to waste gas transporting goods, including food. Stay as local as possible. You'll be supporting local economies, and local food doesn't have to travel so far to get to you.
Now, you know what to do to plan a more eco-friendly wedding. It's not going to be easy to make some of these adjustments, but it'll be worth the trouble.
