The big white wedding doesn’t naturally lend itself to being sustainable, with excess decorations, flowers and food often going to waste when the day comes to an end. But there are ways you can lower your impact with sustainable swaps and still have the day of your dreams. Follow our eco-themed tips below and make a positive step towards a waste-free wedding day…
1. Dress to impress. -Many bridal designers create sensational gowns from ethically sourced materials that won’t only make you look incredible but will make you feel good about your choice too. Rolling in Roses (rollinginroses.co.uk) designs a range of gowns made from fabric that originates from orange fibre, while new Devon-based bridal brand Katie Woods Bridal (katiewoods.co.uk) makes each garment to order in the county with high quality fabrics from carefully selected suppliers, ensuring minimal waste and a small carbon footprint. What’s more, each piece has been designed so it can be worn again. And if you’re seeking an eco-conscious pre-loved or vintage dress, Days of Grace Vintage (daysofgracevintage.com) in Budleigh Salterton is home to a spectacular range of original antique dresses from the 1900s to the 1970s. Don’t be afraid to ask your dressmaker or bridal boutique for its eco credentials – you might be surprised at some their initiatives, such as Bliss Bridal Gowns (blissbridalgowns.co.uk) who plants a tree for each dress purchased.
2. Two-for-one. -Opt for bridal separates or one outfit that offers two looks, so you can change your bridal style from day to night without the financial and environmental impact of purchasing two outfits. Bridal separates can be styled with other pieces to wear again after the big day, too.
3. Wedding wardrobe-. You could even hire your bridal gown. Brands including Hurr (hurrcollective.com) and ByRotation (byrotation.com) allow you to source your dream dress and save yourself the worry of what you’re going to do with it once you’re hitched!
4. His and hires. -Instead of buying suits for each of the groomsmen, which might be left hanging at the back of the wardrobe after the wedding and eventually thrown out, look to suit companies that offer hire services.
5. Moral maids. -Let your bridal party lead the way in choosing their outfits (with some guidance from you if desired!). Picking something that they love means they’re more likely to wear it again.
6. Twinkle toes. -Instead of opting for a traditional bridal shoe, choose footwear that you will be able to wear again – whether that’s pretty ballerina shoes, Converse, block heels or shoes that can double up as your something blue.
7. Suitable setting. -If sustainability is important to you, you’ll be naturally drawn to venues that work in an environmentally friendly way, from trying to reduce waste and recycling to farming their own crops and using solar energy. Research the venue, check it’s in line with your values and don’t be afraid to ask for any little tweaks to be made.
8. Trim back on travel-. If you have chosen a venue that’s a little further to get to, organise transport for your guests. They can all meet in one central pick-up point near your hometown and be transported together on a bus to your venue.
9. Location, location, location. -If you are saying “I do” in one location and then moving on to a different location for your reception, try to make sure all the venues are within walking distance, so that once guests arrive they can wander between the venues on foot.
10. Micro wedding. -Enforced by the Covid pandemic, the micro wedding trend is here to stay. A reduced guest list results in an intimate atmosphere and a reduction in waste.
iStock.com/Tash Jones - Love Luella Photography
11. Meaningful menu. -Choose a caterer that uses seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce. This will make your wedding breakfast fresher and tastier and save transporting produce from overseas. Opting for a plated wedding breakfast over a buffet or grazing table will save on excess waste.
12. Plant power-. Forgo cut flowers in favour of growing greenery – huge terracotta pots filled with plants lining the aisle for the ceremony will make a stunning statement. Display little lavender plants in stone urns or potted plants dotted along trestle tables, then gift them to guests at the end of the wedding for them to grow in their garden.
13. Fresh flowers-. For your bouquets, choose hand-tied, seasonal blooms. If you opt for cut flower arrangements, ask your florist to avoid using floral foam in the displays and gift them to guests after the wedding to be loved for longer at home.
14. Conscientious confetti-. For a joyful confetti moment that won’t leave bits of paper flying about afterwards choose natural, biodegradable confetti. Kehelland Trust (kehellandtrust.org.uk) is a horticultural site that produces real flower confetti. The site itself provides meaningful services for adults with additional needs, who grow the flowers from seed, harvest and process the petals onsite, to sell at wedding fairs (or call 01209 718975 to order).
15. Thoughtful favours-. One thing regularly left behind at weddings is the favours. If you want to gift something individually to each of your guests, be clever with your choices. Edible treats always go down well, a lottery ticket or scratch card is fun and can be recycled, while miniature potted succulents make a sweet gift and add to your décor.
16. Sustainable stationery. -Choose a stationery supplier that works in an environmentally friendly way. Opt for invitations printed with eco-solvent inks on recycled papers, or you could choose seed cards that your guests can later plant in their garden to grow wildflowers. You could even go paperless, sending e-invites instead of physical ones.
17. Decorative details. -When it comes to decorating your venue, head for second hand or charity shops to reuse items such as candle holders and vases. For larger items, as well as cutlery and crockery, find a local company that offers wedding items to hire; Out of the Ordinary Event Hire (outoftheordinaryeventhire.com) has stunning wedding hire collections. Before you start sourcing décor, check what your venue supplies – you might be in luck and find they have neon signs by the dance floor, a walled garden with the perfect natural climbing rose photo backdrop or tea light candles dotted around the place already.
18. Tiers of joy-. You might think you want a four-tier cake but how much of it will be eaten? Your cake maker can help you work out how much cake you need for your guest numbers to save any going to waste. If you like the height of a tiered cake, slim, tall tiers will give the same overall look (avoid polystyrene dummy tiers and instead ask for a decorative clear acrylic tier that your baker can include and reuse).
19. Jewels and gemstones. -Research your jewellers and jewellery pieces, choosing lab-grown diamonds – which Drakes (drakesjewellers.co.uk) offers – or ethically sourced gemstones. Erin Cox (erincox.co.uk) uses recycled gold as standard and is a registered Fairtrade designer, while Emily Nixon (emilynixon.co.uk) is committed to ethical and sustainable sourcing, and Justin Duance (justind.co.uk) uses 100% recycled gold, ethically sourced gemstones, vintage diamonds and sustainable cork ring boxes. Pearls are naturally created, making them a beautiful organic and environmentally friendly choice. Seek out brands that are dedicated to giving back to the planet, like PureShore (pureshorejewellery.com) which regularly takes part in beach clean-up projects and donates a percentage of its profits to local conservation projects.
20. Stick with tradition. -Follow tradition and incorporate something old and something borrowed on your wedding day. As the adage goes, choosing vintage jewellery or a borrowed veil will bring you good luck on the big day, and it will help lower your environmental impact too.
words Becci Clubb
main image iStock.com/Nadtochiy
