REC: Sustainable Wedding ebook

THE REC GUIDE TO A SUSTAINABLE WEDDING

SUSTAINABILITY STARTS WITH YOU

Weddings are an event we all look forward to either as a Bride or Groom or as a guest, however, when you consider all the components that make up a wedding the environmental impact can be great. But with smart and considered choices, there’s no need to compromise on an experience that’s a little lighter on the environment and that still delivers on your dreams.

This guide has some useful hints and tips that will help in planning your special day with a sustainable lens.

SET YOUR PRIORITIES

Start planning by thinking about how you want your wedding to be about from an environmental perspective. What are your ideals and values as a couple? Are you eco-conscious, love nature and the ocean? Perhaps create a wedding mantra that matches these ideals, write it down and keep coming back to this as a reminder of what you are trying to achieve. Use this to access all your decisions against to keep you on your eco-friendly wedding track.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

When choosing where to hold your wedding, location is everything. The most eco-friendly option is that which requires the least travel for the most people attending your wedding.

Following that, the venue then needs to demonstrate its ecofriendly attributes. Here at REC we are proud of our operational sustainability practices which include:

• 250 solar panels providing renewable energy to the space

• Plastic free practices – we do not use any disposable plastics in our operations

• Closed Loop Organic Composter Food Waste Composting which is used for all food waste. This creates a reduction in landfill of approximately 7 tonnes per year whilst also producing approximately 1.5 tonnes of soil conditioner per year.

GO DIGITAL

Use digital invitations instead of paper invitations to save paper and reduce waste. You can also create a wedding website to provide guests with all the necessary information about the wedding, including directions, accommodation, and gift registries.

If paper based invitations are essential, or if you have items you’d like to print to use on the day such as menus, then seed paper is highly earth friendly. Seed paper is a biodegradable material that sprouts into flowers when planted into a pot of soil.

CONSIDER VINTAGE OR PRE-LOVED

To say that the wedding dress is an important part of the wedding day is an understatement. There are several ways to find a dress that is sustainable:

• Vintage clothes shop for that preloved unique delight

• Sites such as Still White or Love Me Twice most dresses have been worn only once and are in fantastic condition

• Hiring or borrowing options

• Wearing a family heirloom with modifications made for you if required If new is the only way to go for you, do your research. Choose a local designer who has sustainable practices and if possible designs and makes their dresses onsite.

There are other ways to incorporate vintage or pre-loved into your attire or that of your wedding party through estate jewellery, pre-loved shoes, rented accessories such as bags.

DECOR

Choose decor that is made from natural materials, such as burlap, linen, recycled paper, or confetti made from leaf cut outs. Avoid using disposable items, such as balloons or plastic decorations, as they create waste that cannot be re-used or easily recycled.

FLOWERS

There is no doubt that flowers are part and parcel of a wedding from the bridal bouquet to the table decorations. It’s easy to think being biodegradable that all flowers are an eco-friendly option but some choices are better than others. Choose locally sourced and seasonal flowers. Australian natives are a good choice as they can live in low quality soil and tolerate periods of drought. Not only do they save on air miles as they are grown in Australia, but the growing process is kinder to our environment. Ask your florist to source native blooms grown as close to your wedding location as possible to even further reduce the footprint of your special day. In Australia we have access to amazing flora and fauna to create stunning bouquets and décor. Some great choices are:

• Flannel Flowers – daisy like and delicate.

• Pin Cushion Protea – a great rustic choice in shades of fiery orange, yellow and red.

• Blushing Bride – part of the protea family but with long flowers and a pink hue.

• Banksia – make a great focal point.

• Bottle Brush – with over 1,000 varieties you are spoilt for choice.

• Billy Buttons – these look fantastic both fresh and dried.

Give your local chosen florist some free range so that they can work with blooms that are naturally in season. Give them some parameters such as colours at the warmer or cooler end of the spectrum, or neutrals. Consider using potted plant options that can be reused after the wedding, or taken home by guests.

FOOD AND DRINK

Look for venues who focus on sustainable and local produce.

At REC sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, including our food and drink. We work with local suppliers to deliver food and beverage options that minimise our footprint wherever possible. We align with those who are also dedicated to ensuring sustainable practices. Check out our suppliers here

We use Closed Loop Organic Composter Food Waste Composting for all food waste which has reduced landfill by approximately 7 tonnes per year whilst also producing approximately 1.5 tonnes of soil conditioner per year. The compost goes to a community garden plot nearby where we grow herbs and veggies which we use in our cooking.

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Encourage guests to carpool, use public transport, or walk or bike to the wedding to reduce carbon emissions.

By making small changes in your planning process and referring back to your mantra or values, you can create a beautiful and environmentally friendly wedding.

REC is perfectly positioned to help you realise your sustainable wedding vision. Our Event Manager and experienced team are here to help you at every step of the way.

Call us on 07 5559 7556 or email rec@tafeqld.edu.au

If you are at planning stage and would like a tour, or have already booked and would like to chat through finer details we’d love to hear from you.

rec@tafeqld.edu.au

robinaeventscentre.com.au