Sustainable Weddings 101: Love your partner, love your planet

As we gain more understanding of how our actions affect the planet, more and more people are inspired to reduce their environmental impact. From starting a compost pile to keeping a reusable water bottle at hand, there are many small-but-meaningful steps we can take to help preserve our earth. This shift has also led to a growing trend for engaged couples: sustainable weddings.

Sustainable weddings embrace many of our daily eco-friendly habits, like reducing single-use plastics and opting for recycled alternatives. And when it comes to large-scale celebrations like a wedding, these sustainable practices can make an incredible difference in the environmental footprint left behind.

So if you have a goal of going green for your big day, keep reading for our best tips for planning (and hosting!) sustainable weddings.

Hire sustainable professionals

From your venue and planner to your caterer and stationer, make sustainability one of your top priorities when researching and selecting your wedding vendors. Look for those who carry sustainable event certifications or promote eco-minded messaging on their website and social media profiles. During consultation calls, ask about climate-friendly practices and waste reduction strategies used.

Pro tip: When you find a sustainable pro you love, request referrals for like-minded vendors. There’s a good chance they already have strong relationships with environmentally-conscious businesses!

Embrace recycling + upcycling

There’s so much stuff on this planet — do we really need to create more? More often than not, the answer is a resounding no. Using what you already have reduces waste and eliminates the demand for extra resources. Plus, you’ll maximize your budget and save money that you can allot elsewhere (hello, honeymoon suite!).

Here are a few ways to apply recycling and upcycling to your sustainable wedding day:

• Repurpose decor for all wedding events, including rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, and farewell brunch.

• Rent or use furniture + decor you own to avoid purchasing wedding-specific items.

• Order stationery and signage that uses recycled materials.

• Rent or borrow wedding day attire, including dresses and tuxedos.

• Provide useful and/or edible favors that double as place cards.

Mind your wedding season

In today’s day and age, we can acquire seemingly anything from around the world. However, sourcing exotic and off-season flowers and ingredients can take a toll on the environment. Climate-controlled storage and transportation aren’t just taxing on your wallet; they also produce greenhouse gases as your order is shipped across the globe.

So instead of relying on faraway items, try to shop locally as much as possible. Of course, that means abiding by seasonal availability — but staying close to home will benefit the local economy, your wedding budget, and the environment! Plus, you won’t have to worry so much about shipping delays or supply chain issues spoiling your day. Win-win!

Rethink your wedding menu

Food waste is a leading cause of climate change, as landfills struggle to keep up with the tons of organic matter sent to decay each year. But that’s not the only way our food impacts the planet. Heavy demand for meat, dairy, and eggs has led to an unsustainable animal agriculture industry with factory farms that pollute groundwater and contribute to the endangerment of the earth’s rainforests and its inhabitants.

And, of course, when food and beverages are served with single-use items like plates, cups, napkins, and flatware, everything ends up going to the landfill as well. If your budget permits, consider renting china, glassware, and flatware to reduce waste. Better yet, work with your caterer to explore options for edible serving ware!

Consider discussing these other waste-reduction ideas with your caterer:

• Serving a plant-based menu with limited or no animal products

• Opting for locally-sourced, organic, and pesticide-free ingredients

• Using green cleaning methods for linens and serving ware

• Adopting waste diversion strategies, like composting or donation (where allowed)

Keep your registry small

Many engaged couples have already taken the plunge to live together, so there often isn’t much need for an extra set of china or an additional coffee maker. Instead of filling your registry with appliances and other material goods, set up a fund for your guests to contribute directly. You could use it to upgrade your honeymoon, put a down payment on a house, or donate to a charity of your choice. The point is: No unnecessary gifts!

With that said, you might want to include a few items for more traditional guests to purchase. After all, your grandparents may not grasp the trend of online wedding funds! If you still want a physical gift registry, select items that will help you embrace sustainability in married life. A few examples to get you started:

• A set of non-toxic, organic cotton sheets that will last for decades

• Fair-trade artwork to hang in your home

• A backyard compost bin to start your own garden

• Gift cards to your favorite eco-friendly shop

Offset your carbon footprint

While all of these practices will help to reduce the environmental effects of your wedding, it is virtually impossible to host a zero-impact event. After all, you will likely have guests boarding planes, driving cars, and staying in hotels to attend. People will undoubtedly produce trash, even with the best waste diversion techniques available.

Yet, while you can’t avoid the inevitable, you can make up for it by purchasing carbon offsets. Carbon offsets are “credits” you can buy that go directly to global projects that reduce emissions and greenhouse gases, counteracting your wedding’s carbon footprint. Companies like 8 Billion Trees and Terrapass even have packages designed specifically for weddings!

Sustainable weddings are here to stay, and we look forward to seeing new innovations and ideas arise from this growing trend! If you love our planet and want to preserve our environment for future generations, consider adopting these strategies for a greener celebration and start married life on the right foot.

Need help planning an eco-friendly Cleveland wedding? 

We’re experts on sustainable weddings in Ohio! We can’t wait to help you find a team of vendors who share your values and plan the perfect guilt-free celebration. Reach out to us today to get started!