Weddings are one of the most important days of our lives. Whether you have a fairy tale ceremony planned or not, it’s an exciting time to celebrate the start of married life with your nearest and dearest. So if you can keep waste to a minimum, that’s a welcome bonus!
Here are some of the sustainable wedding trends you can incorporate into your special day, so you can cut back on waste without sacrificing style.
Rethinking traditional flower arrangements
Flowers are a traditional element of any wedding. Not only are the bride and bridesmaids embellished with gorgeous flower arrangements, but they are also often used as décor. Here are two sustainable alternatives to freshly-cut flowers.
Dried flower arrangements
If you’ve envisioned your wedding day blooming with beautiful flowers, then look no further. Dried flowers are a great alternative to freshly cut flowers. They can be gathered in breathtaking arrangements and used for years to come.
They also cost absolutely nothing to preserve. All you need to do is gather your chosen fresh flowers in bunches and hang them upside down to make sure the stems stay straight. You can even spray them with hairspray or resin to make sure they don’t crumble on your special day. It really is that simple!
Repurposing plants or flowers throughout the day
If waste not, want not is your motto, think of all the ways you can repurpose flowers and plants throughout your wedding day. Your bridesmaid’s bouquets can be used as centrepieces for dinner tables, decorations surrounding your dance floor, or even grouped around your wedding cake.
Sustainable wedding favours
Wedding favours are a welcome addition to any ceremony. Your guests will cherish anything you gift them on your special day, so why not use a low-waste option? You can reuse any of your dried flowers, potted or hanging plants, and any other decorations as wedding gifts.
Buy décor you want to take home
As well as wedding favours, you can prioritise buying wedding décor that you would like to take home. This day is all about you and your partner, after all. These can be items as simple as candle sticks, purchasing ones that match the interior design of your own home. You can also buy a macrame backdrop for your speech and hang it on your living room wall for a constant reminder of your big day.
Meaningful wedding invitations and cards
There’s so much planning that goes into curating the perfect wedding day. Sometimes the smaller things fall between the cracks, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less important. This is where meaningful wedding invitations and cards come into the picture.
“It’s always a good idea to keep mementoes of your day. And what could have a bigger impact than a meaningful card? Whether you’re creating personalised cards for your guests or receiving celebratory cards from your guests, try to keep the environment in mind” comments Gabriella Peace, Communications Manager at UK Greetings, a greeting card supplier.
Ribbon waving over confetti
Confetti is often used at weddings to add a splash of colour and celebration to special photos. To avoid wasting buckets full of paper, you can hand out ribbons to your guests instead. This means that when you’re walking out of your ceremony, they can wave their ribbons in the air and reuse them throughout the day.
Just because you’re considering the environment within your wedding plans, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice chic decorations, personalised cards for guests, or exciting photos. These are some of the ways you can make your wedding day a sustainable and low-waste experience.
