20 Ways to Make Your Wedding More Sustainable
Sustainability is more than just a popular wedding trend. It is a way of life that can be practiced in everything you do. Large events, including weddings, can create excessive waste. Luckily, there are lots of small ways to reduce the ecological impact of your event. Choosing more eco-friendly practices at your wedding is a beautiful way to honor your union and our beautiful planet.
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.*
Here are 20 ways to make your wedding more sustainable:
1 - Source local flowers for your floral arrangements
For our Los Angeles area brides, The Los Angeles Flower District has almost unlimited options! For smaller weddings, Trader Joe’s is an affordable option for beautiful ceremony flowers. Do a Google search to find a wholesale flower market near you!
2 - Donate your leftover florals to a senior living home
This requires a little pre-planning - a great task for a bridesmaid! Call a local senior living home and inquire if you may bring your wedding flowers there the day after the wedding. You may need to supply extra boxes for packing up for your flowers, and assign someone to take them home, then drop them off the next day! The beautiful arrangements will brighten the seniors’ day! Here are some great picks for packing up and transporting flowers.
Pro-tip: not able to arrange this? Try donating any leftover florals to the staff at your venue - do not forget the staff in the kitchen and valet in the parking lot!
3 - Upcycle your decorations by selling them to another bride after your wedding
Great places to sell barely-used wedding decor include Facebook Marketplace and Mercari.
Pro-tip: list your items for sale before your wedding, and arrange for the buyer to come pick the items up at the end of the reception!
4 - Consider potted plants for centerpieces
Potted plants from your local garden center will last much longer than cut flowers. Guests can take them home and enjoy them long after your wedding day!
5 - Skip paper invites and send evites
Sites like Zola, the knot, and withjoy offer free wedding websites. All you need to do is share the link with your guests. You’ll be able to collect their RSVPS, communicate details, and keep track of your guest list all online!
6 - Buy used vases
Local thrift stores often have dozens of beautiful glass vases. Click here to find a local Goodwill.
7 - Opt for compostable plates, napkins, and cups
Compostable dinnerware will save them from a landfill, and conserve water that would be used to wash ceramic dishes. Compostable plates and forks are perfect for cake and desserts!
8 - Skip water bottles for water dispensers or pitchers instead of individual plastic water bottles
Water dispensers and pitchers create less plastic waste. Here are some dispensers and pitchers we recommend:
9 - Consider renting silk florals for your decor
Something Borrowed Blooms is a go-to for renting beautiful silk florals. They offer easy returns as well.
10 - Shop for a pre-loved wedding dress
Sites like stillwhite and loved twice bridal have large selections of used wedding dresses. Don’t forget to search local thrift stores as well!
11 - Rent your attire (tuxes, etc)
Why buy a tux just for your wedding!? The Black Tux offers menswear rentals for the groom and all groomsmen.
12 - Encourage guests to embrace their own unique style, rather than buying something just for your wedding
When you specify the event’s dress code on your invite or wedding website, you can request that guests choose an outfit they already own!
13 - On your bridal registry, ask your guests to donate to environmental causes in honor of your wedding
Zola allows couples to add their favorite charities to their bridal registry. Guests can donate directly from the site.
14 - Offer plantable seeded paper wedding favors that your guests can grow into their own blooms
Seeded paper invites and cards can be planted after they are read, rather than placed in the trash. Here are some of our picks for seeded invites and envelopes. Let love bloom!
15 - Consider natural daylight for your ceremony if possible
For spring and summer brides, this can be as easy as picking a late morning or early afternoon ceremony start time.
Pro-tip: a sunny ceremony can mean a warm ceremony! Be sure to provide your guests with options for shade! hand fans and paper umbrellas can double as wedding favors.
16 - Use energy-efficient LED lighting throughout your venue
Many venues require you to provide your own/additional lighting. Affordable LED lighting can help set the right mood at your reception!
17 - Encourage guests to carpool or share rideshare services to and from to your wedding
This can be listed on your wedding website. Connect guests who live near each other or are staying at the same hotel so they can carpool!
18 - Offer shuttle services to reduce the number of individual vehicles needed
Our couples in the Los Angeles area love Riz Transportation and United Limo and Charter. A nationwide Uber-like service for finding shuttles for your event is the Swoop App. If you have a room block at a hotel, that can be the perfect pick up location for shuttles.
19 - Work with your caterer to ensure you order only the amount of food needed to avoid leftovers
Your guest list will come in handy for this! By knowing your exact guest count at least 2 weeks before your wedding, you caterer will be able to provide enough food for your guests without unnecessary surplus.
20 - Donate any extra food to a local shelter or food bank
Like donating your florals to a senior home, this also requires a little pre-planning. Call a local shelter or food bank and inquire if you may bring any leftover food there after your wedding. If this does not seem feasible, consider supplying your guests with compostable take-out boxes to allow them to bring any extra food home. Don’t forget to also offer any leftover food to staff!
By incorporating just a few of the simple practices above, you will create a beautiful and memorable wedding that celebrates your love and the environment. Here’s to happy planning!