How to Make Your Wedding More Sustainable
With climate change the way it is and plastic pollution getting worse every year, a lot of people are trying to reduce waste in any way they can. But when it comes to planning a wedding this can be a little more difficult, especially as the bigger the event, the more waste.
Whilst no wedding could be 100% eco-friendly, there are plenty things that you can do to lower the environmental impact of your wedding celebrations. Some of these ideas might be a little easier than you might think, potentially even making the whole event a little more affordable along the way.
The Venue + Gardens
If you are looking for a wedding that is more sustainable, the first thing that you’ll need to do is talk to your reception venue: you’ll be surprised at just how accommodating some venues can be. If you choose a venue with a great conservatory or beautiful gardens, considering hosting outdoors so that you can make the most of the daylight and save on electricity. Consider a venue near a green space like Greenwich Park or Gunnersbury Park.
If you're looking for a unique venue or historic wedding venue, be sure to stay in contact with the organisers. Note that venues have lots of different ways that they do their bit to reduce waste, so don’t be afraid to ask them. There are hundreds of venues perfect for a wedding across West London, East London, North London etc, so you’re sure to find the one that meets your needs.
Location (a hotel in Kensington, or a hall in Twickenham?)
The location is another key factor to consider when choosing a venue, as the amenities at a space in Mayfair or near Richmond Park might be a bit different to Croydon. Perhaps you want a location near popular London landmarks, or you'd go for somewhere a bit quieter and more personal. Regardless, it all starts with the postcode.
Food
Another thing to consider is whether or not the venue will offer catering, and if so, if it would be possible to ensure that all the food provided is locally sourced. You should then double-check the guest list and make sure that you won't over-order to make sure that waste is minimised (although there is no shame in offering guests the leftovers to take home!). For reception drinks, make sure to serve in glass rather than plastic.
Flowers
We’ve already mentioned about endeavouring
to get your food from locally sourced suppliers, but what about your flowers?
Depending on the time of year that your wedding is taking place, many flowers
may have been imported from abroad, or grown in artificial environments in
order to make them bloom out of season. We also have a love for more exotic
flowers that would never naturally grow here. In order to reduce the environmental
impact of your flowers, contact a local supplier who grows native blooms in
season. Not only will you have flowers that are unique, you’ll also be doing
your bit to support local businesses.
Invitations
Your invites are another way that you can cut down on waste and save some money in the process. Save the Dates are a must these days, but they are still a modern idea. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of sending them all out, then why not send a bespoke email to all your nearest and dearest instead? You’ll be sure to know that they got it from all the replies that will come flooding in, and it will save on paper as well!
However, you can still post physical invitations and send out RSVPs - just plan carefully and consider the material that you would be using (recycled paper is a great idea!). Then, asking everyone to detail their dietary requirements online will not only help you keep organised but also save everyone posting responses through the mail. Simple!
Centrepieces
If you are looking for the décor on your big wedding day to be sustainable, you might opt for reusable centrepieces, especially as there really is no need to buy centrepieces only to throw them away afterwards. You could consider a centrepiece made from your favourite books stacked up, or go for a classic plant centrepiece that could be potted and turned into favours afterwards.
Go Second-Hand for a London Wedding
Having a sustainable wedding means reusing items as much as possible. If you can grab some bargains on décor that others are selling after their wedding, even better!
One trend has even seen wedding dresses being sold on to the next bride interested - after all, once a dress is dry-cleaned, it will look good as new. The same thing applies to suits: many already go down the route of hiring a wedding suit as it’s unlikely to be worn again, and not only does this save money, but it’s a sustainable way of shopping as well.
If you’re environmentally conscious, then planning wedding ceremonies can cause a panic. Yet there are lots of things that you can do to ensure that your wedding is an eco-friendly day. Not only that, but it will also make your wedding reception truly unique and encourage other vendors that being sustainable is what today’s brides and grooms are looking for when organising their weddings.
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