We’ve seen what some people are doing wrong, but how can you combat that? Hosting a zero-waste wedding doesn’t have to be hard. Let’s discover how you can make each aspect of your big day more eco-friendly.
(The following blog has been contributed by 77diamonds.com)
1. Eco-conscious wedding attire.
Looking good at your wedding is a must. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise when it comes to your sustainability efforts. There are a handful of ways you can take a green approach while still looking the part.
It’s easier than it’s ever been to find a wedding dress or a suit which have been manufactured from sustainable materials. Thankfully, satins, hemp-based silks, organic cotton knitted lace, and general fairtrade products are all common bases of modern dresses.
If you’re not too hung up on having a traditional wedding, there’s also the option of dressing in something which you know is eco-friendly.
Encourage your guests to do the same if you really want to hammer home the sustainable theme of the wedding.
2. Ethical conflict-free rings.
Whether it’s your engagement or wedding ring, there are ways you can ensure the precious stone you’re using has been sourced ethically.
Research the jeweller
Find out as much as you can about a jeweller before you purchase from them. If you’re not sure what to look for, try to find signs like:
Funding for projects in communities where diamonds are ethically sourced
The supporting of initiatives that ensure the safe production of diamonds and precious gems.
Open promotion about the fact their gems are sourced ethically
Speak to them first
If you can’t find any signs of their ethical nature, there’s always the option of reaching out and directly asking a supplier where their diamonds come from.
Consider asking them to be direct with their answer. If they aren’t clear about the origin of their product, it might be wise to turn elsewhere.
Avoid areas of conflict
While most countries have developed a fair and ethical production of diamonds, some areas remain questionable.
If you want to be completely sure you’re buying a diamond from a conflict-free zone, avoid producers like Zimbabwe, Angola, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, and Liberia.
You don’t have to compromise on the quality of your ring just because you’re choosing an ethical option. Many diamond retailers have made this a priority in recent years, so you’ll have plenty to choose from.
3. Conscious consumer wedding registry.
If you’re asking your guests to come with a gift from a wedding registry, you can give them an entirely sustainable list of options to choose from. Here are a few examples of what you could include:
Earth-friendly gifts
If you want to take a more eco-friendly approach to life beyond the wedding day itself, this is a great opportunity to get a helping hand. You can ask for gifts like solar panel chargers, bamboo toothbrushes, electric lights, or even a compost bin.
Fairtrade products
Looking for homeware that could genuinely make a positive difference to the lives of people in developing countries? You can find things like rugs, cutlery, and even tables on websites such as Ten Thousand Villages. https://www.tenthousandvillages.com
These items are produced from sustainable ingredients by people living in third-world countries. As it’s fair trade, they take a healthy cut off all profits made on anything sold.
Small and local gifts
Investing in local communities is good for everyone. But it’s especially handy if you’re trying to reduce your wedding’s carbon footprint. Purchasing from people in your community will mean there’s far less fuel being burned to get your presents to you.
4. Organic and low-impact flowers.
While all flowers are by their very nature “organic”, sustainability can still be taken into account when it comes to decorating your wedding.
Buy local and seasonal flowers
Using a website like Flowers from the Farm, you can search for the exact type of flower you want, even specifying things like pesticide usage. This allows you to make a conscious and measured choice about the distance your flowers have to travel and the impact you might be having.
Grow your own
A tried and tested method, there’s no harm in cutting out the middleman and growing your own. Even if the finished product isn’t as polished as what you might get from a professional florist, there’s a certain charm to self-grown decorations at a wedding.
Find a sustainable florist
As with most sectors, there are a growing number of florists who are making sustainability a priority. You can spot a sustainable supplier by looking for those who:
Don’t use floral foam or plastic.
Source local or ethically certified flowers.
Are transparent about how they work and where their flowers come from.
5. Eco-friendly décor.
You don’t have to compromise on your perfect décor just because you’re trying to make your wedding as green as possible. There are a number of clever techniques you can use to remain sustainable without sacrificing the aesthetic appeal of your big day.
Lighting
Make the most of the daylight while you can. Setting up solar panels during this period can help to make a big difference later in the day. Collecting enough energy at this point could mean your entire evening is lit by a sustainable source.
Failing that, you could employ the use of hundreds of beeswax candles. These can hang from the ceiling and provide natural lighting for the reception.
Place cards
Any form of paper signage that you use can be sourced ethically, or even replaced altogether. When it comes to place cards, bamboo or recycled options are the best way to go.
For your wedding invites, think instead about sending out electronic save-the-dates, and asking people to confirm their attendance online. If you know particular guests are not computer-savvy, reach out to them via the phone.
Confetti
There’s a relatively easy alternative to traditional confetti that comes in the form of biodegradable, dried-out petals. These not only retain the aesthetic appeal of the original product but break down naturally in the environment without doing any damage.
Other natural materials
From the tablecloth to your napkins, there are a series of decorations that you can find made from materials like hessian, hemp, or pure linen.
When it comes to tableware, consider using rustic natural wood, sourced from sustainable forests. This extends to the likes of tables, bowls, and even cutlery.
I hope those selected tips on how to plan a sustainable wedding have been helpful and given you food for your thoughts.
Head to https://www.77diamonds.com/sustainable-weddings for an in-depth article on how to plan a sustainable wedding.