Most people know that weddings are pretty expensive. Few people consider the amount of waste weddings produce. The average wedding produces 400 lbs of waste, resulting in 63 tons of carbon emissions. While you are busy planning your dream wedding, sustainability may not be your first priority. However, sustainable weddings can make a big impact on the environment.
With this in mind, many couples are opting for a micro-wedding to cut costs and waste. To help with eco-friendly planning ideas, here are a few tips to help your ideal sustainable wedding come to life.
Choose Seasonal Flowers
When you select flowers that are in season for your wedding, you not only save money, but also reduce your carbon footprint. Flowers and floral arrangements are some of the most expensive wedding items. Most flowers are transported from overseas. When you purchase seasonal flowers, they travel a shorter distance from locally grown farms.
Be on the lookout for flower certifications, like Fair Trade Certified and Rainforest Alliance Certified. This ensures your flowers are more ethical and sustainable.
Purchase a Sustainable Dress
If you want a sustainable wedding, you’ll want to look for a wedding dress that is the “greenest” option possible. Look for a dress made from sustainable materials and with fair labor practices. You can rent a wedding dress, shop sustainable wedding dress brands or purchase a second-hand wedding dress from a local boutique.
Rent or Borrow Wherever Possible
There’s so much you’ll spend money on from venues to photographers. Another tip for planning a sustainable wedding is to rent or borrow whatever you can. Start by making a list of everything you need for your wedding. Go through the list and jot down where you must buy new and where you can buy slightly used, rent or borrow.
Choose Local, Sustainably-Sourced Food
Similar to selecting locally grown flowers, choosing local and sustainably sourced food for your menu is key to an environmentally conscious wedding. Choosing locally grown food is also a great way to support local businesses.
When caterers use in-season produce, it means the food has traveled a shorter distance from farm to table. The perk is that your food will be higher quality, fresher and full of nutrients for your sustainable wedding. Local, in-season produce will also always taste better.
Donate Any Leftovers
Weddings are known for the amount of waste they produce. Instead of throwing everything away, consider donating it. Your trash could be someone else’s treasure. You can give away leftover wedding decor on social media or donate it to thrift stores, secondhand shops or consignment stores.