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The Barn of Chapel Hill at Wild Flora Farm has an on-site flower farm. Photo by Morgan Caddell Photography

10 ways to plan an eco-friendly wedding

By Marie Muir

Engaged couples today have many modern and beautiful options for hosting an eco-friendly wedding. Reducing waste on your big day will add to the feel-good vibes of your big day. Discover both affordable and accessible tips, from booking vendors to selecting favors, below.

No. 1: SKIP UNNECESSARY PAPER AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS. One of the best ways to host an eco-friendly wedding is to rent reusable products and decor. Say goodbye to single-use items such as paper plates or water bottles and hello to reusable rentals such as fine china and glassware. Look to your local party rental company like Petal & Oak and CE Rental, which offer a number of gorgeous wedding rentals to choose from. 

No. 2: BOOK A SUSTAINABLE VENUE. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could say “I do” at a venue that is both beautiful and sustainable? As you search, keep an eye out for venues that come fully stocked.

For example, The Barn of Chapel Hill at Wild Flora Farm has an on-site flower farm. Or check out Lavender Oaks Farm, a fully functioning lavender farm with refurbished historic barns. Pick a venue that is already beautiful and doesn’t need single-use decorations. Couples who choose a venue close to family and friends will also limit pollution from transportation exhausts.

No. 3: HIRE LOCAL VENDORS WHO USE LOCAL PRODUCTS. Shopping locally is always a good idea. Again, when couples hire vendors who are located close to their venue, they decrease an excess of carbon emissions. The same goes for buying local flowers and food. Ordering exotic flowers from elsewhere in the country or beyond will result in a massive carbon footprint due to the shipment and delivery carbon emissions. Plus, hiring local vendors will give your guests an authentic feeling of the area.

Mitchell•Casteel A Fine Catered Affair Photo by Heba Salama Photography No.4: AVOID FOOD WASTE. Throwing away untouched food is the worst, whether it’s your wedding or a regular day at home. Here are some helpful questions to ask the caterer: How much food do you recommend for this number of guests? Which foods are most popular during the season I plan to host my wedding? Where are your ingredients sourced from?

If you still end up with wedding leftovers, call a local food bank and ask if you can donate!

No. 5: ASK YOUR FLORIST NOT TO USE FLORAL FOAM. Floral foam, or Oasis, is the green styrofoam material that many florists use as the base of their floral arrangements. This is a non-biodegradable plastic that contains toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and carbon black that can be harmful when handled. Ask your florist if they use a version of floral foam that is biodegradable or if they have any other eco-friendly alternatives. Don’t want to buy flowers that will eventually die? FauxReal Flowers rents out gorgeous bouquets, centerpieces and other decorative items.

No. 6: ASK YOUR STATIONER TO USE RECYCLED PAPER PRODUCTS. Sending invites is one of the first tasks on your planning timeline. This is also an easy element to make sustainable. Ask your stationer to use recycled paper for your custom designed wedding invitations. Odds are that you won’t be able to see a difference in the paper products. The paper used for invitation suites, ceremony programs and reception menus add up quickly.

No. 7: GIVE GUESTS ECO-FRIENDLY FAVORS. Give your guests the gift that keeps on giving. Here are a few fun and creative favor ideas: A packet of flower or plant seeds, local charity donations in your guests’ name, repurposed CE Rental and Virginia & Co. Photo by Brett Seay Photography mason jars filled with homemade treats or personalized reusable glassware that your guests can take home. Eco-friendly favors send a message to your guests about being environmentally conscious and may inspire them to do the same.

No. 8: BUY USED OR RENT YOUR WEDDING FASHION. The adage says it all: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Global over-production of clothing is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, and so buying a vintage or used dress is a recent wedding trend. Or rent your wedding outfit – stop by Bernard’s Formalwear in Durham to shop suit and tuxedo rentals. Modern couples also love to incorporate family heirlooms into their wedding day. Ask your grandmother if you can try on her gorgeous vintage bridal gown, or ask your dad if he still has the cuff links he wore at his wedding. Repurposing clothing items on your wedding day is not only eco-friendly, it also adds a sentimental touch.

No. 9: REUSE AND RECYCLE ALL OF YOUR WEDDING PRODUCTS OR DECOR. Do not throw them away. Save some items for future use. You never know when you might be able to reuse those elegant white drapes or boho accent lanterns. Maybe your future children or a neighbor might want to borrow all of those glass vases and votives for their own event. Reducing waste by saving, donating or reselling your wedding products is an easy way to protect the environment.

No. 10: SAY NO TO SPARKLERS AND CONFETTI. Yes, sparkler exits look fun and cool in photographs, but there are alternatives that are just as amazing. Skip the harmful waste that comes with sparklers or confetti (or try biodegradable confetti!) and instead opt for bird seeds, flowers or even bubbles, which look incredible on camera and don’t remain on the planet for a thousand years. Rice and confetti can harm birds and other animals who ingest the leftovers. Bird seed is as adorable as rice and is also healthier for nature’s critters.