February 22, 2018 Wedding Planning — Eco Ideas

Written by our (engaged!) Eco Specialist, Sara.

When planning your wedding, you may have the mental struggle (as I often do) between honouring the fact that this day is a once in a lifetime event and knowing it’s just that at the same time — one day. You don’t want to send you and your partner spiralling into debt as you begin your marriage together and you may even think that your money can be better spent. Well, maybe it can, but at the same time you’re throwing the most memorable event of your lives. Here’s a few ideas on how you can make your incredibly cool wedding anything but a wasteful one.

Via Reformation

Attire

You want your wedding party looking sharp, of course, but does that mean they should have to buy a dress or suit they’ll never wear again? No. Solution: make a day of it! Shop together for basics that will fit with your wedding aesthetic and fit seamlessly into their wardrobes afterwards. Separates or jumpsuits are a great way to achieve this as well, and then go nuts with accessories! The mismatched wedding party is also super fun and allows each of your peeps to choose a look they’ll feel themselves in. The TOMS Wedding Collection has shoe styles for everyone on your list (including yourself!), and makes it pretty easy for you to feel good about your purchase knowing they give a pair to a child in need. Speaking of your look… think about hemming your dress after the wedding for a more casual, yet special number that you can wear to future events. Maybe even your one year anniversary or vow renewal ;)

Tablewear

Rentals add up. If you’re planning on going disposable with your tableware to save money, avoid styrofoam or plastic at all costs. Instead, choose paper products and be sure to recycle or, even better, check out Let's Go Green’s compostable and biodegradable options of everything you could need for a tasteful, not wasteful, table setting.

Via Goods Gang

Stationary

Consider saving a tree with your save-the-dates & wedding invites and go paperless instead! Sites like Paperless Post even track your RSVPs and act as somewhat of a wedding website all in one, allowing you to upload your gift registry, include a map to the location, post updates on the message board, and so on. These online event platforms also help guests get acquainted with each other a bit beforehand! If you’re still looking for some physical stationary — be it programs, menus, thank-you cards or otherwise — take a look at these!

Florals

If you have some time before your big day, think about opting for dried flowers. Get your mom, mom’s mom, mother-in-law, sister twice removed etc. to start drying florals for you that they’d otherwise throw away. There are many beautiful ways to use these at your wedding, but a cool feature wall takes the cake in my opinion. Cacti and succulents are also a really pretty and simple floral substitute that are totally reusable. Keep them in your home post-wedding or double this decor as your wedding favours (which also helps with cleanup as your guests each take one home at the end of the night - bonus!) If you’re all about fresh florals and greenery, try to choose ones that are in season and locally grown. After your wedding, you can always make these into a beautiful potpourri or press your bouquet into a frame to keep forever. Alternatively, companies like Full Bloom take care of your leftover wedding florals for you. Gotta love options!

Via Quitokeeto

Bar

Instead of disposable cups, opt for glassware and have a creative way for guests to mark their glass so it gets used all night long. A cash bar versus an open one is also a great way to make guests a little bit more accountable for their drink and less inclined to waste.

Waste

It’s inevitable, so the best you can do at this stage is make sure it’s properly disposed. Having garbage, recycling, and compost bins would make you a winner, baby. Having these around at all the main hangout spots and clearly labelled is even better. And don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you need to have terribly large and bright containers around your otherwise well-decorated reception, get creative with ways to blend these into your space!

Via Trumpet & Horn

Ring

If you can, try to get a conflict-free rock on your finger. Look into jewellers that are transparent about their stone sourcing or have a selection of antiques like these ones. The bonus to this is you’ll likely end up with a ring that is completely unique to you with a good story behind it as well.

Party Favours

You’ve already given your guests an incredible night of celebration, so why not use the traditional guest favours as an opportunity to give back with donations to a charity or cause which may benefit more from your spend than your guests would. Either have the donation pre-made with a little note or souvenir at each guest’s seat telling them all about it, or have a table setup where guests can be a bit more interactive with their gift and choose the charity or cause that resonates most with them. Charity gift cards are another way to do this or you can take a look at how other couples have given back with their wedding favours for more inspiration.

Have some eco-wedding ideas of your own? Send them to [email protected] and they could be featured in an upcoming e-newsletter!

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