Weddings are not only days of celebration and love but also a display of who you and your partner are as a couple and what your values are. With eco-consciousness on the rise in people's daily lives, it's no surprise that brides are becoming increasingly aware of the impact their wedding has on the environment.
According to The Green Bride Guide, an average wedding produces nearly 400 lbs of garbage and 63 tons of CO2 waste. To put those numbers into perspective, there are an estimated 2.5 million weddings per year, which is about 1 billion lbs of trash and as many emissions as approximately four people would produce in a year in just one day.
So, the good news? There are many steps, both small and large, you and your wedding party can take to reduce your waste and carbon footprint! From what decorations you choose to what food you serve to what venue you select, and everything in between, you can make conscious decisions that will have you feeling your best about yourself and the bigger picture on your wedding day!
Choose a Sustainable Venue
Kicking off with one of the first and most important decisions you make regarding your wedding day: the venue. Choosing a venue whose core mission is to provide sustainable experiences and prioritize reducing waste and carbon emissions is an impactful step in planning an environmentally conscious wedding. An excellent resource for locating eco-friendly locations is the Green Building Information Gateway. Here you can search for hotels and event spaces with LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certifications and Energy Star ratings.
Or choose the most sustainable venue of all and be wed in the great outdoors! Be one with nature on your wedding day while reaping the benefits of stunning landscapes and natural lighting (perfect for your photographs!). Just remember to leave natural spaces as you find them and clear out any waste that may be produced during the ceremony and reception!
Opt for Ethical Jewelry
A great way to have little to no environmental impact while ring hunting is to shop vintage. Whether it's a family heirloom already in your possession or a unique find at an estate sale, your vintage piece will be one-of-a-kind and full of stories of love stories passed.
If you have your heart set on a new ring with a modern cut, be sure you are vigilant in seeking out sustainable diamonds. Unfortunately, blood diamonds—smuggled diamonds used to fund a civil war—have become extremely common in the US. Still, The Kimberly Process Certification Scheme is an excellent resource for tracking your stones, but also feel encouraged to ask your jeweler if they’re committed to conflict-free baubles.
Seek Out Green Invitations
Depending on how extensive your invite list is, sending out invites (not to mention save-the-dates) can produce an abundance of unnecessary waste. Consider skipping save-the-dates and sending out invitations only. When you send out your invitations, find invitation suites printed on recycled paper or use alternative materials, like upcycled fabrics, leather, and wood.
Minted is a great site to use to create your eco-friendly wedding invitations, as all the paper used is post-consumer recycled paper. This route minimizes waste by using paper that already exists in the world.
Another excellent option for hard copy invitations is seed paper. Seed paper is a biodegradable material that sprouts into flowers when planted in a pot of soil. Botanical PaperWorks has a whole line of custom goods on plantable paper, so you're sure to find the perfect option to represent you and your partner's wedding style.
Pick Conscious Floral Arrangements
Try to find seasonal flowers in your local area. If you have your heart set on flowers that aren't grown locally, try to find blooms grown organically and not covered in pesticides. Avoiding out-of-season flowers and using potted plants and greens such as orchids or spray roses, or plants, including herbs and even trees for decorations, is a great way to promote an eco-friendly space. These can also be reused or repotted after your big day!
Farm-to-Table Food
Farm-to-table and local food options are an impactful way to prioritize sustainability on your big day. Look for caterers who focus on local, sustainable, and seasonal cuisine. Familiarize yourself with the farmers they work with and how they source proteins, including seafood and beef—the more local, the smaller the carbon footprint from long-distance shipping.
Opting for plated dinners as opposed to buffets will reduce food waste by the end of your event, but if your heart is set on a buffet, discuss the possibility of saving leftovers for either guests to take home, or if regulations allow, donate to local food pantries.
Explore Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors
Eco-friendly wedding favors are easier to find now more than ever, as brides lean into the sustainable lifestyle. “Plantable” favors are great options. Give your guests seed packets or miniature plants or seedlings as your wedding favors that guests can then go home and plant. Another apparent (and favorite) wedding favor is a tasty treat for the road. Source snacks from local purveyors or the farmer's market to support the regional economy and help your guests discover a new go-to treat!
Sustainable Celebratory Walk Down the Aisle
Alternatives to classic rice or confetti, and in our opinion way more aesthetically pleasing, are plant-based and biodegradable options. Using lavender, rose petals, fresh herbs, and a mix of micro flowers will add a whimsical (and sustainable) flair to your exit toss.
Find Your Dream Wedding Dress at Alexandra's Boutique
Now that you have the rundown on all things COVID-friendly bachelorette parties, it may be time to focus your energy on other steps of the journey to marriage, like your honeymoon or maybe finding your dream wedding dress? That's where Alexandra's Boutique comes in. Our large selection of show-stopping wedding dresses includes designers like Stella York, Martina Liana, Maggie Sottero, and plenty more. You can find the dress of your dreams with help from Alexandra's Boutique.
About Alexandra's Boutique
Alexandra's Boutique is a full-service bridal and special event boutique committed to offering an exquisite collection of bridal attire, occasion apparel, and complimentary accessories from today's top wedding fashion designers. Our collection showcases everything from private collection wedding gowns to stylish bridesmaids' dresses, elegant mother of the occasion attire, stunning prom apparel, and evening, pageant, and cocktail dresses. With over thirty years in wedding fashion consulting, Alexandra's Boutique has been the perfect start to a new beginning. Our professional bridal consultants will make your wedding day dreams come true!