In the face of climate change, deforestation, and plastic pollution, we’ve been pleased to see sustainability become a major priority for couples when planning their wedding. From vegan cakes to locally sourced flowers, more and more engaged couples are adopting planet-friendly practices to reduce their wedding’s environmental footprint. We only get one planet, after all!

As fellow earth lovers, we are always looking for alternative ways to plan a wedding without compromising our shared environment. Things like seed paper invitations, ethical fashion, and decor rentals might seem small and insignificant, but they certainly add up!

Every eco-conscious decision matters — and it starts with who you hire to plan your sustainable wedding. Your wedding planner will know how to navigate Cleveland’s vibrant event scene, connecting you with vendors who share your values and sourcing items in a green and ethical manner.

Keep reading to learn the three easy steps for finding the best Cleveland wedding planner who can help you achieve your sustainable wedding dreams.

Define your sustainable wedding vision

Before you can find the perfect sustainable wedding planner, you need to consider how you envision your big day! While waste reduction and other eco-friendly practices are essential, you also need to confirm that your vendor team’s aesthetics align with your dream wedding.

Are you picturing a garden celebration with tons of greenery and pampas grasses? Or do you prefer a modern look with minimal decor? Will you want a fully plant-based menu sourced from local farms and orchards? Since your Cleveland wedding planner will help you connect with like-minded event professionals, you’ll want to nail down these big-picture details before starting your search.

Research a shortlist of sustainable event planners

With a clear vision, start looking for planners in your area. Wedding websites, like The Knot and WeddingWire, are great places to start, as you can search by specific vendor categories. They also list reviews and testimonials, providing you with a third-party opinion of a company’s brand experience.

When you find a wedding planner that catches your eye, spend some time reviewing their website to learn more about their services. Go through their portfolios to get a feel for their work and how well it aligns with your vision. Look for event planners that highlight the importance of sustainability on their website, highlighting their experience in imagery and content (like blog posts).

You’ll also want to visit their social media pages to see the content they post and the engagement it receives. Do they post gorgeous weddings each week? Are there comments from past couples that demonstrate a positive experience? How often do they talk about sustainability and eco-friendly practices? You can learn a lot simply by scrolling through a few Instagram posts!

In addition to online research, don’t hesitate to ask your friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations. They can point you toward sustainable vendors they’ve hired, as well as any local resources (like blogs and directories) that can support your research and planning.

Conduct interviews with your top choices

Once you’ve narrowed it down to a handful of qualified planners, schedule a consultation with each to get a better feel of their personality and experience. Before your first meeting, create a list of essential questions to ask and compare across the board. Here are a few to consider:

Can you tell me about your approach to sustainability? I would love to hear some examples of how you reduce waste, recycle decor, etc.
If we move forward, do you have a list of preferred vendors that value sustainability as much as we do?
Let me tell you a little bit about our wedding vision. How will you tailor our celebration to feel like a one-of-a-kind event?
How much influence will we have over key decisions? Will we work as partners?
Could you tell us about your contingency plans in case of rain, venue issues, missing vendors, etc.?
Our budget is [X]. Can you achieve our vision with that budget?

Getting to know each of your potential planners can help you identify who most fits your needs, both in terms of sustainability and desired aesthetics. Just as important as aligning with your values, you’ll also want to select a planner who is transparent about costs and can confidently agree to your budget constraints.

Logistics aside, your interviews are also an opportunity to see if your personalities “click.” You’ll be spending more time with your wedding planner than anyone else, so personal compatibility is essential. Look for someone who listens to your ideas, understands your values, communicates effectively, and is always receptive to feedback.

If sustainability is on your mind, we’d love to hear about your wedding plans!

Not ready to chat yet? We get it. Take your time, remember? In the meantime, we invite you to hang out with us on Instagram and hop on our email list for updates and planning tips!