8 minute read
15 Ways to Create a Meaningful & Eco-friendly Wedding
FROM THE PUBLISHER'S DESK
PHOTOS BY SARAH ALLEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Your wedding day is not only a celebration of your love, but also an opportunity to make a positive impact in your community and the environment. By infusing sustainability and community consciousness into your wedding planning, you can create a truly meaningful and memorable event. Here are 15 creative ways to weave these values into your special day.
1. ECO-FRIENDLY INVITATIONS
We often talk about making an impact with your wedding
invitations. When choosing an invitation, you want to give
guests a preview of what to expect at your wedding.
But, did you know you can also make an environmental impact
with your invitations? One way is to ask your invitation designer
to use recycled paper. You can also opt for digital invitations
to reduce paper waste. Also consider supporting small
businesses or local artists for your invitations. #ShopSmall
2. VENUE SELECTION
Opt for an eco-friendly venue like a botanical garden, a location
dedicated to historical preservation, or even a beachfront with
strict conservation policies. Your choice will inspire others to
respect and protect natural spaces and our history.
3. CONSCIOUS CATERING CHOICES
Collaborate with local caterers to create a farm-to-table menu
featuring seasonal, organic, and locally-sourced ingredients.
Also consider working with a caterer who seeks to minimize
their environmental impact on multiple fronts, like New
Orleans caterer Clesi’s Restaurant & Catering.
“As our restaurant grew and we became a popular destination
for oyster lovers in New Orleans, it became quickly apparent
that we were overloading our trash capability with oyster
shells,” says Sonya DiCarlo of Clesi’s. “We were approached
by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana to participate
in a recycling program and we jumped at the opportunity.
Since joining CRCL almost 2 years ago, Clesi’s has recycled
close to 70,000 pounds of shells to our coastline and we
are thrilled! Our family and staff are committed to not only
restoring our coastline, we also encourage our catering clients
to use recycled paper products whenever available and
we participate in ReCoast, a program to use glass products
in coastal restoration. The cost and effort to make these
adjustments in our day to day business model makes sense
monetarily and it supports our commitment to look out for
generations to come.”
4. ZERO-WASTE DECOR
Embrace reusable and recyclable decorations, or choose biodegradable options like fresh flowers and natural fabrics. Zero-waste decor is all about using what you have, repurposing materials, and minimizing waste. Here’s a list of zero-waste wedding decor ideas that can help reduce environmental impact and create a beautiful, sustainable celebration:
1. Natural Elements: Embrace the beauty of nature with decor elements like potted plants, flowers, branches, and leaves. Use them as centerpieces, aisle markers, and table runners.
2. Chalkboard Signs: Replace paper signs with chalkboard or reusable whiteboard signs.
3. Vintage and Thrift Store Finds: Hunt for unique decor pieces at thrift stores or vintage shops.
4. Rentals: Rent larger decor items like furniture, arches, and tableware to avoid one-time use and excess waste.
5. Edible Decor: Incorporate edible elements like fresh fruits and herbs as both decor and a tasty treat for guests.
6. Recycled Paper Decorations: Create origami, paper flowers, or hanging decorations from recycled paper or old books.
7. Reusable Tableware: Opt for real plates, glasses, and cutlery or compostable alternatives instead of disposable options.
8. Local and Seasonal Flowers: Choose local and seasonal flowers to support local growers and reduce your carbon footprint.
5. SECOND HAND CHIC
Incorporate vintage or second hand elements into your attire for a unique, sustainable touch. Yes, wearing your mother or grandmother’s dress counts! If that isn’t an option, here’s a list of places to look for pre-owned fashion (or sell your dress after the wedding!):
Stillwhite: stillwhite.com
OnceWed: oncewed.com
Nearly Newlywed: nearlynewlywed.com
BravoBride: bravobride.com
Facebook Marketplace: Check out the wedding-related listings on Facebook Marketplace or in wedding planning groups in your area.
6. ECO-FRIENDLY ATTIRE
If you’d rather your dress be your “something new”, there are lots of sustainable and eco-friendly designers to choose from. Here’s a list to explore!
Reformation - thereformation.com/bridal
Leila Hafzi - leilahafzi.com
Sanyukta Shrestha - sanyuktashrestha.com
Daughters of Simone - daughtersofsimone.com
Tara Lynn Bridal - taralynnbridal.com
Wear Your Love - wearyourlovexo.com
Grace Loves Lace - graceloveslace.com
Minna - minna.co.uk
Pia Gladys Perey- piagladysperey.com
7.CARBON-NEUTRALTRANSPORTATION
Encourage guests to carpool, use public transportation, or you can offset their travel emissions by contributing to reforestation projects such as Plant with a Purpose. You can also minimize emissions by choosing a venue that can host both the ceremony and reception, reducing the need for transportation between locations.
8.MEANINGFUL FAVORS
In lieu of favors, donate to a charitable cause that you love in your guests names or give guests potted plants, seeds, or locallymade or even homemade treats as eco-friendly wedding favors.
9.VOLUNTEER
Instead of traditional pre- or post-wedding parties, gather friends and family for community-building or clean up events with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, a local food bank or animal shelter.
10.THINK LOCAL
Involve local artisans, musicians, and businesses in your wedding to support the community and boost the local economy.
11.LOW-IMPACT LIGHTING
Use energy-efficient LED lights or candles to create a romantic ambiance while reducing energy consumption.
12. ZERO-WASTE BAR
Work with your bartenders to create a zero-waste bar by avoiding single-use plastics and using biodegradable straws and cups.
13. SUSTAINABLE JEWELRY
Choosing wedding rings and jewelry made from ethically sourced or recycled materials is a wonderful way to ensure that your special day aligns with your values. Here’s a list of reputable companies that are known for offering ethically sourced and sustainable wedding jewelry:
Brilliant Earth: brilliantearth.com
MiaDonna: miadonna.com
Clean Origin: cleanorigin.com
Bario Neal: bario-neal.com
Catbird: catbirdnyc.com
Noémie: hellonoemie.com
Ken & Dana Design: kenanddanadesign.com
Taylor & Hart: taylorandhart.com
S. Kind & Co.: skind.nyc
Melissa Joy Manning: melissajoymanning.com
Aide-mémoire Jewelry: aidememoirejewelry.com
Charles & Colvard: charlesandcolvard.com
14. DONATE LEFTOVERS
Whether it’s excess food or the flowers from your ceremony and reception decor, donating these items not only helps the community, it also keeps unnecessary waste at bay!
Ask your caterer about donating any leftover food to a local food pantry or homeless shelter in your area. When considering food donations, make sure to reach out to the organizations to understand their specific guidelines, transportation requirements, and any necessary paperwork. Also, coordinate with your event venue and catering service in advance to ensure a smooth and safe process for donating leftover food.
After a wedding, there are several places where you can donate flowers to spread joy and brighten someone’s day. Here’s a list of potential places to consider donating wedding flowers:
• Hospitals and Nursing Homes
• Senior Centers
• Hospices
• Homeless Shelters.
• Women’s Shelters
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Community Centers
• Religious Institutions
• Schools and Libraries
• Civic Organizations
• Charity Fundraisers
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Children’s Hospitals or Pediatric Wards
Again, remember to coordinate with the organizations beforehand to ensure they can accept flower donations and to arrange for a suitable drop-off time. Your thoughtful gesture can make a meaningful impact on the lives of others.
15. A GREEN REGISTRY
Create a wedding registry focused on experiences, donations, or eco-friendly products that promote sustainable living.
The following platforms provide flexibility for couples to create a registry filled with experiences, honeymoon contributions, and adventures, allowing guests to give meaningful and memorable gifts that align with your specific interests.
Zola: zola.com
Blueprint Registry: blueprintregistry.com
Honeyfund: honeyfund.com
Traveler’s Joy: travelersjoy.com
MyRegistry: myregistry.com
For couples who would rather give back, ask your guests to donate to your (or their!) favorite charitable organizations. If you’re not sure who to donate to, spend some time researching organizations in your area. Here’s a list of possible causes to consider:
1. Education and Literacy: Providing access to quality education, promoting literacy, and supporting schools and educational programs.
2. Healthcare and Medical Research: Improving healthcare access, funding medical research, and supporting healthcare facilities.
3. Hunger and Food Security: Fighting hunger, providing meals, and supporting food banks and agricultural initiatives.
4. Poverty Alleviation: Helping marginalized communities, providing economic opportunities, and addressing systemic poverty.
5. Environmental Conservation: Protecting ecosystems, wildlife, and natural resources, and advocating for sustainable practices.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water, and promoting proper sanitation.
7. Human Rights and Social Justice: Advocating for equal rights, justice, and fair treatment for all individuals.
8. Gender Equality: Promoting gender equity, empowering women, and addressing issues related to gender-based discrimination.
9. Child Welfare: Ensuring the well-being of children, protecting their rights, and supporting orphanages and youth programs.
10. Mental Health and Well-being: Raising awareness about mental health, providing support services, and combating stigma.
11. Disaster Relief: Providing immediate assistance and longterm recovery support in the aftermath of disasters.
12. Elderly Care: Supporting senior citizens, ensuring their well-being, and combating social isolation.
13. Animal Welfare: Advocating for the welfare and rights of animals, supporting shelters, and promoting responsible pet ownership.
14. Refugee and Migrant Support: Assisting refugees and migrants with resettlement, integration, and access to basic needs.
15. Arts and Culture: Promoting arts, culture, and creative expression, and supporting museums, theaters, and artists.
16. Veteran Support: Offering services and resources for veterans, including healthcare, housing, and employment assistance.
17. Empowerment Programs: Providing skills training, entrepreneurship opportunities, and resources for selfsufficiency.
18. Community Development: Fostering sustainable community growth, infrastructure development, and social programs.
19. Climate Change and Sustainability: Addressing climaterelated issues, advocating for renewable energy, and supporting eco-friendly initiatives.
Remember, these are just general categories, and many charitable organizations work on a combination of these issues. When choosing a charitable cause to support, consider your personal values and passions to make a meaningful impact.
Your wedding day is a reflection of your love story and values. By incorporating these eco-friendly and community-centric ideas, you can ensure that your celebration not only leaves lasting memories but also contributes positively to the world around you. Let your wedding be a symbol of hope, love, and responsible living for years to come.
