How to have a sustainable wedding

Couples are becoming more eco-conscious so it’s natural that this is reflected in your wedding. There is a plethora of ways to make your wedding more eco-friendly, from your choice in décor to upcycled fashion and looking into sustainable venues. See how you can have a sustainable wedding with advice from industry experts.

An earthy rustic bridal bouquet by Louise Hartley-English Floral Design, louisehartleyenglish.uk. Image by Tony Pullen Photography

Flower power

With biodegradable confetti a norm for weddings, it’s only natural that couples should look for sustainable flower options, too. For a truly personal touch to your big day, raid the gardens of your friends and families for a bridal bouquet with a personal touch. You can also speak with your florist to see what eco-friendly options they implement in their wedding flowers.

“Make sustainable choices when buying materials,” says Louise Hartley-English of Louise Hartley-English Floral Design. “These roses (pictured above/to the right/etc.) were grown from a modern greenhouse heated exclusively with sustainable waste heat, using biological pest control for plant protection. All the other materials are all seasonal and locally grown; the hydrangeas for this bouquet came from my mother’s garden.”

Your florist might use eco-friendly materials or suggest certain florals to use, like dried flowers, which can be reused and preserved for years to come. For a simplistic, boho-inspired look, request that your bridal bouquet is finished with natural materials like organic cotton, wool or linen.

“These are all sustainable, renewable and biodegradable, making them excellent environmentally-friendly choices,” adds Louise. “I avoid using plastics and use ecological biodegradable paper, which is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.”

An order of the day display is a more stylish and sustainable option than using paper, available at 4yaparty.co.uk

Props to you

Sustainably sourced props and wedding decorations is another option to consider for your wedding. Instead of buying your own props that you are likely to throw away afterwards, create less waste by sourcing these from venue stylists and prop hire companies. “An average wedding can leave a carbon footprint of up to 14,000 litres of carbon dioxide,” explains Mercedes Gale, owner of venue styling and prop hire service 4YaParty Weddings & Events. “That is more than an average household footprint for a whole year.

“One way you can reduce this number is by hiring over buying new. When you hire, you are reusing and reducing impact on the environment. 4YaParty ensures that all its décor is sustainable and doesn’t use single-use plastic.”

Look into hiring wedding table decorations and even picture props to reduce your environmental impact. These experts will be able to guide you and your partner, working with you both to create your desired wedding ambience. They can also assist in organising suppliers and venue dressing, while repurposing unused spaces.

“Try hiring an order of the day display for your wedding, rather than printing loads of paper sheets that will just end up in the bin. An order of the day display can make a great décor focal point, too.”

Consider wearing a pre-loved dress on your wedding day. Image by Getty Images

Say yes to the upcycled dress

Utilising small, local bridal boutiques and businesses is an effective way to reduce your carbon footprint. Larger wedding dress suppliers tend to import their stock from other countries, which can take months to reach you. Buying from a local designer means less shipping costs, having been designed in the UK, and you can also cut out the unnecessary import process.

You could also opt for a gown that is made from recyclable materials. Or, if your mother or family member is happy to part with it, consider using their dress to upcycle and create a new design tailored to you.

Wearing a pre-loved wedding dress from another family member or friend, buying a vintage design or shopping at a sustainable wedding boutique means that the dress hasn’t been made for one use only.

Nestled on pebbles, Artists Beach House is available for your eco wedding and stay

A sustainable venue

When booking your dream venue, speak with the team to see what they can do to help you achieve an eco-friendly wedding. Some wedding venues have eco-conscious values and are looking into ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

"The Artists Beach House supports couples in their sustainable wedding choices,” says Katrina Brown, owner of Artists Beach House in Whitstable. “No cars are allowed at our venue as couples tend to stay for the duration of their wedding, with an exception for the bridal party's vehicle if necessary. We only use local suppliers and we do not earn commission from the suppliers we choose to partner with, instead recommending those whose values marry up with ours.

"Our wild flower meadow, with its extensive sea and sky views, acts as a hedgehog sanctuary. It is also a habitat for rare moths and vegetation, and endangered species such as stag beetles, slow worms and cabbage white butterflies."

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