Are you planning your wedding but would also like to do your bit to protect and care for the environment?

You may not think that a few changes and different choices here and there will make much of a difference, but every little step will help! By breaking your wedding planning down into different categories, you can then see how you can make sustainable choices in each one. Here are a few ideas to get you started on your eco-friendly plan. Not only will they help towards saving the planet, but you can also save some pennies too! 

Venue & Transport

Look for a local venue that will not involve too much travel for family and friends. Encourage your guests to car share or if you are providing transport then hiring a minibus to minimize the number of cars travelling to your venue is also a great option. This will help reduce the carbon footprint on the day.

Hiring a permanent structure rather than a marquee will also benefit the environment as there will be no need for outside companies to transport items such as catering equipment to and from your chosen location. An additional benefit with a permanent venue would be that they are likely to offer items such as catering, bar/drinks and furnishings which will minimize the number of individual suppliers needing to drive to the venue. The more inhouse the day can be the more beneficial to your eco-friendly day.

Confetti

No wedding is complete without confetti and the good news is there are some amazing eco-friendly options available!

Environmentally friendly confetti doesn’t have to be boring, in fact it can be as colourful as you want and can even smell lovely. If you’d like a pop of colour on the day, then why not match your confetti with the chosen flowers.

For a beautiful smell in the air when your confetti is thrown, you can opt for fresh petals placed in a recyclable paper cone or individual bags for your guests. Not only will it look and smell beautiful on the day, but it will naturally degrade within the grounds around you.

If you’d rather not have to worry about fresh petals leading up to the day, why not try dried petals or buds, these can match your bouquet or go for something a little different.

If you have the time to add that unique touch, then you could collect dried leaves from your garden or local park and use a hole punch to cut your leaves into a heart or flower shape. There are so many DIY ideas available online or speak to your wedding florist to see what they can offer.

Decorations & Favours

Hiring decorations for your room is more beneficial to the environment than purchasing as you know these will be used time and time again, reducing waste and transportation costs.

If you prefer to add your own touch to the décor than start saving those empty jars and bottles as these can offer the perfect solution for a table decoration and once you are finished with them, you can always donate them to another couple for their wedding or to a worthy cause. Whether you fill them with flowers from the garden or place battery operated tea lights in them, you can have as many or as few as you’d like.

It doesn’t stop there; the jars can be used to make homemade candles, so not only the perfect table decorations but also a great idea for favours! If candles are not your thing, then you could fill the jars with lots of delicious sweets and treats.

If you are happy baking away at home, then making some home-made cookies or delicious fudge could be the option for you. If you are looking for a more long-term idea for your guests then packets of seeds for them to take away and plant at home, for a lasting memory of your wedding, are a great idea!

Dress

Make a statement on your wedding day by going green! We don’t mean you have to wear green, although that is an option! You can go green and help the environment by being thrifty. All brides look forward to a day or two of dress shopping, but it doesn’t mean you have to blow the budget on your dress. There are so many bridal and gown shops that now offer the option to hire a dress for the day, reducing the cost significantly compared to purchasing outright. You’ll still have your magical moment in a beautiful dress but will also have the joy of knowing it will then go on to light up the face of another bride for their day following yours.

You can also find many stores and sites who specialise in nearly new, second-hand or vintage dresses, so if you have your eye on a particular dress then the chances are it may be out there waiting for you at fraction of the cost of a brand new one.

Invitations

As it gets closer to your wedding date, you’ll be thinking about getting those all-important invitations out to your loved ones. If you are having these made by a professional printing company then why not request that these are printed on recyclable paper, this will also work with save the dates, place cards and thank you cards.

If you are maybe a little more creative, then you could try an app like CANVA and have a go at creating your own designs and print them from home. Alternatively, you can cut out the paper element completely and embrace the world of technology by sending a digital invite. Again, these can be created at home using numerous online templates and no need for the trips to the post office, just a click of a button and they are delivered so not only saving money but also your precious time!

Gifts

It is always difficult for guests to know what wedding gifts to purchase, and you may be unsure of what suggestions to give. For that eco-friendly option, asking for charitable donations is a fantastic idea. Some charities / organisations will plant a tree in your honour or perhaps choose a charity close to your hearts.

Also, asking for contributions to a once in a lifetime honeymoon has become an increasingly popular option in recent years with many couples opting to write a clever poem in their invitations. There are so many examples online, why not search for some inspiration to suit your style.

By just incorporating one or two eco-friendly ideas into the planning of your wedding day will ensure we are working together to make the planet a greener, safer place for future generations.