Planning a wedding is a big job. If you’re trying to make your wedding eco-friendly, it might be even more difficult and time-consuming. But having a green wedding does not have to get you down in the planning process.
An eco-friendly wedding doesn’t mean that you can’t have flowers or go all out on this special day. It doesn’t mean that you have to go over budget or leave out some of the details that you really wanted. But it is going to take some care planning in advance.
It simply means that you need to put a little more thought into it and come up with ways to reduce your carbon footprint while still making this one of the best memories of your life.
Here are 5 tips on planning your own eco-friendly wedding:
Invitations– In this electronic age we live in there is no need for stationery when you can send out an Evite. In the event someone you know doesn’t have a way to accept this type of invitation, you can personally invite them by dropping by or making a phone call. However, if you don’t feel comfortable using Evite or if there are some guests that you need to send an invitation to, use recyclable paper or plantable (embedded with seeds) paper. These allow the person to plant the invite in their yard and grow herbs, flowers or plants.
Location– There’s many options available when deciding where to hold eco-friendly weddings. If it’s a small wedding, someone may be able to host the event in their home. If you plan to have a large wedding, consider having it outdoors. There are many beautiful sites where wonderful memories can be created without using lots of energy. Another option would be to hold the ceremony and the reception in the same place. This will save gas and preparation.
Caterer and Wedding Favors– Use a local caterer and choose your food based on the season. In other words, don’t choose fresh vegetables in the middle of winter. When choosing something for the guest to take home with them, pick practical gifts that won’t be tossed in the garbage. A small plant is an excellent choice that most everyone will love.
Flowers– Flowers are lovely but not very eco-friendly. Therefore, many eco-friendly weddings substitute other decorations for flowers. For example, you can use centerpieces and candles to dress up the room. If there are one or two specific types of flowers that you have your heart set on having, go ahead and add a few of these but keep them to a minimum.
The Wedding Gown-The wedding gown is the highlight of your ceremony but that doesn’t mean that you can’t go green and still look beautiful. There are several options to choose from such as buying vintage or choosing a dress made from sustainable fabrics. When it comes to the bridesmaid gowns, let them work together and choose something from their own wardrobe to wear. They will appreciate the freedom to choose and it’s helping the environment.
Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life and you’ll always remember it. Knowing that you made the effort to implement new ideas into your wedding plans to reduce your carbon footprint makes this day even more memorable. The 5 tips for planning your own eco-friendly wedding above will help you have a green wedding that you’ll cherish forever.
