With climate change the way it is, and
plastic pollution getting worse every year, everyone is trying to do their bit
to reduce waste where they can. But when it comes to planning a wedding, how on
earth are you meant to do that and still have the day that you’ve been dreaming
of? The answer is that no wedding will ever be 100% eco-friendly, but like with
all big events, there are things that you can do to lower the environmental
impact of your big day. Some of these ideas might not be feasible for you, but
others are much easier than you might think at first and might even help your
budget a little.
The Venue
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. This is especially important if your venue offers catering as well. One way
to have an eco-friendlier wedding is by ensuring that all the food provided is
locally sourced. If you are keen to have a wedding that is as environmentally
friendly as possible, why not have your reception out of doors? If you have it
start earlier in the day, you’ll be making the most of the daylight and saving
on electricity. 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 wedding
reception venues for hire in London, so you’re sure to find the one that meets
your needs.
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! For those
family and friends that still have difficulties with the internet, why not give
them a call and let them know the date? They are sure to appreciate it and they
can get it into the calendar right away. When it comes to the invites proper,
you can still post physical ones! After all, they make great mementos. Just
plan carefully the material that you are using. They don’t have to be big, as
many couples have detailed information on a wedding website. You can even get
ones made from recycled paper, which is definitely doing your bit for the
environment. When it comes to RSVPs, this is where your website comes in again.
Asking everyone to detail dietary requirements (and so on) online will help you
keep organised and save everyone posting responses. Simple!
Centrepieces
If you are looking your décor to be
sustainable, the best way to do this is to think reusable. There’s no need to
buy centrepieces that are going to be thrown straight in the bin afterwards,
you want something that can be used again. One great idea for this is books.
You can choose your favourites and stack them for a literary theme and even
give them out as favours at the end! Or you can head to your nearest charity
shops and pick out some older volumes that need to be reused. Another great
idea for centrepieces that turn into favours is to use plants such as succulents
in individual pots. Have a sign saying, ‘take me’ and all your guests will be
in love. If you do decide you want something else, check online for people that
are selling the centrepieces from their weddings, and don’t forget to do the
same after yours!
Go Second-Hand
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. And why not? After all,
once a dress is dry-cleaned, it will look good as new. This is also a great
idea if you have your heart set on a certain dress, but it’s from a couple of
seasons ago. In this case, buying second-hand might be the only way to go! 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. Not only does this save money, but it’s
a sustainable way of shopping as well.
If you’re environmentally conscious, then planning
a wedding 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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