Sustainable weddings or eco-friendly ceremonies are a growing trend, and we love to see it.
Contents of this article
The world is increasingly aware of environmental issues, and this is carrying over into every aspect of our lives, including the world of weddings and celebrations in general.
In this sense, “eco-events” or “slow weddings” (had you heard of this term?) are establishing themselves as a trend.
What can we do to organize sustainable or eco-friendly weddings?
While organizing a 100% sustainable wedding is practically impossible, we can make small choices that help reduce our impact and that famous “carbon footprint.”
In this article, we share some ideas to make your wedding as nature-friendly as possible.
Avoid plastic and/or disposable products
As they say in the sustainability world: “every little bit helps”: the small gesture of avoiding plastic or disposable products can make a big difference. Reusable glasses and cups, bamboo or cardboard straws for the bar, bottles instead of cans, and any other detail that limits the use of items that end up in the trash.
“Reduce, reuse, recycle, recover” as a mantra 🙂
Choose organic products, local production, crafts, etc.
Seek out and prioritize the use of organic products, opt for local production, and immerse yourself in the beauty of handmade crafts. From seasonal flowers grown with love to artisanal details that tell stories, every decision contributes.
Choose a location connected to nature:
The choice of the place where you will celebrate your wedding will condition and help (or hinder!) your wedding from being ecological and sustainable. In this sense, of course, the top spots will go to country houses or estates that are more connected and integrated with nature.
You can also ask them if they have a waste separation and management policy after the party.
You might also be interested in our article “how to choose your ideal wedding venue”.
When is the best time to get married?
The season of the year and even the timing of the wedding are important! Following the same line of caring for the planet, you will surely want to take full advantage of natural light. In that sense, the months closer to spring and summer will be friendlier, as you will be able to extend and take advantage of the daylight hours; the same goes for the decision on the start and end time of the party. If you choose to get married during the day, you will significantly limit the use of electricity. You might be interested in reading our article “best time of day to get married”.
Sustainable wedding dresses
As we said, in the world of ecological care, “every little bit helps”, and the choice of your outfit can also be a responsible decision. There are more and more brands and designers paying attention to these details, so you can start your search with this aspect in mind.
You can also, of course, opt for recycled or second-hand wedding dresses (or ones inherited from a mother/grandmother!).
When it comes to choosing shoes, you can also apply this criterion and choose a local or artisanal producer, and pick ones you know you will be able to wear again on other occasions.
In this article about “original wedding dresses”, you can find inspiration and think of ideas.
Cruelty-free bridal makeup
This is actually not something that applies ONLY to the world of weddings, but rather something to consider for every day.
Makeup certified as “cruelty-free” indicates that it was not tested on animals. In contrast, makeup certified as “vegan” indicates that it does not contain animal-derived components. We provide this clarification because—based on our research—these are concepts that are always confused!
A good start is (at least!) to pay attention to these details 🙂
Eco-friendly wedding invitations
When sending out wedding invitations, the IDEAL approach is to go paperless and create digital invitations that you can send via email or WhatsApp. However, if you really love the idea of a physical invitation, try to choose recycled or reclaimed paper and envelopes. There are many options out there!
Sustainable wedding decor:
Your wedding decoration is a fundamental aspect, and there are several things you can pay attention to and decide on, for example:
. Avoid the use of disposable and single-use products
. Prioritize the use of native, seasonal flowers
Eco-friendly confetti:
Are you going to have confetti for a moment during your wedding? There is no need for plastic products, those typical “party poppers,” or rice! You can “make” your own beautiful and sustainable eco-confetti made from, for example, fallen leaves 🙂
This applies not only to the party day but also to the civil ceremony!
Ideal transport and mobility for an eco-friendly wedding:
The idea of every guest driving their own car to the venue is not at all environmentally friendly. A great idea is to arrange shuttles or buses to pick up and drop off guests, sharing a single vehicle. (Not only because of the environmental impact, but also so everyone can enjoy the open bar freely!)
Sustainable wedding party favors:
The “carnival hour” (how much longer are we going to keep calling it that? haha) and its classic party favors are a real issue when it comes to sustainability, because practically ALL the products are plastic, and not only are they disposable, but they are literally used for just a few minutes.
In this case, we invite you to ask yourself if you really think a “party favors moment” is necessary… but beyond that more extreme decision, there are some friendlier alternatives, such as products made from recycled and reclaimed paper.
Eco-Glitter:
For the party, it’s also common to have a glitter station. Glitter is made of microplastics that eventually end up in the water system and, due to their size, are very difficult to remove. There are some options for eco-friendly glitter made with biodegradable elements. Consider this option!
Healthy and sustainable wedding catering:
Your choice of catering will also influence how environmentally friendly your party will be. In this area, you can consider the following details:
. Choose menus that include vegan / vegetarian options, not just for guests who follow that diet, but to “invite” everyone to try these options!
. Ask your provider if they have a policy regarding leftover food from the party. Some arrange for the donation of food that is not consumed to various organizations and NGOs.
. Opt for organically and locally produced food; for example, you could select an artisanal winery to provide the wine that will accompany the meal.
Are you interested in organizing your wedding in an environmentally responsible way? We are very happy about that and hope this article has been of interest to you!
Remember that you can write to us via the contact form at the bottom of this page. We are at your disposal for whatever you need!
