Planning a sustainable wedding

Sustainable weddings, also known as eco-friendly weddings, are becoming increasingly popular for couples who want to minimise their environmental impact on their special day as well as celebrate their love.

Here are some ways to incorporate sustainable practices into your wedding planning:

Venue

• Choose a venue that is already eco-conscious. Look for venues that use renewable energy, have on-site recycling, and prioritise water conservation
• Eco-conscious wedding venue
• Consider unique locations like botanical gardens, parks, or historic buildings that require minimal additional decor.

Attire

• Opt for pre-owned or vintage wedding attire. Look for secondhand shops, online marketplaces, or rental services. Great Oaks has an incredible selection of pre-owned wedding attire.
• Choose clothing made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, or linen.
• Support designers who use ethical production methods and fair trade practices.

Decorations

• Use natural elements like branches, flowers, and greenery in your decor.
• Incorporate recycled materials like mason jars, wine bottles, or vintage books into your table decorations
• Opt for locally-sourced and seasonal flowers to reduce transportation emissions.

My personal recommendations are:

• Commonwood Flowers
• Wye Valley Flowers
• Harebell and Bee

• Choose biodegradable confetti or bubbles instead of traditional confetti.

Food

• Select a caterer who uses local, seasonal, and organic ingredients.
• Consider offering a vegetarian or vegan menu, as meat production has a higher environmental impact.
• Opt for smaller portions to reduce food waste.
• Use reusable crockery and cutlery instead of disposable options.

Favours

• Give your guests eco-friendly favours like seed bombs, small potted plants, or donations to environmental charities in their name.
• Avoid giving away unnecessary trinkets that may end up being thrown away.

Other sustainable ideas

• Use digital invitations and save-the-dates to reduce paper waste.
• Encourage carpooling or provide shuttle services for guests to minimise transportation emissions.
• Choose energy-efficient lighting options for your venue.
• Donate leftover food to a local shelter or food bank.

You can have a beautiful and memorable wedding while minimising your environmental impact.

Did you know that I try to make my business as eco-friendly as possible by:

• I plan my travel mindfully, to cut down on extra miles (which also keeps the costs down for you).
• I strive to only choose suppliers who use sustainably sourced paper and materials.
• I make a monthly donation to Ecologi  to offset my mileage.
• I arrange for a tree to be planted for every single wedding I shoot! (Imagine – a tree just for you.)

If you care about working with a photographer who is mindful of our climate too, let’s chat! I would love to tell you more.