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Eco-Friendly Weddings: Your Sustainable Wedding Guide

Updated: Oct 24, 2023


Welcome to the world of sustainable weddings, where love and eco-consciousness unite to create beautiful, meaningful, and green celebrations. In this guide, we'll explore every facet of planning a wedding that leaves a positive impact on both your guests and the planet. Whether you're a nature lover, an eco-warrior, or simply a couple eager to make a difference, this is your blueprint for crafting an earth-loving, sustainable wedding that creates cherished memories. Let's begin this transformative journey toward a wedding day that embraces the beauty of sustainability and love in perfect harmony.


Eco-friendly outdoor wedding by Recreation Touch.


Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations

Eco-friendly invitations are an integral part of a sustainable wedding because they reduce environmental impact, lower carbon emissions, and zero waste. They support sustainable practices, offer creative design options, and reflect the couple's values. They can inspire guests to adopt more eco-conscious behaviours and contribute to a greener celebration overall. Furthermore, often provide budget-friendly alternatives while allowing couples to express their unique style with environmentally responsible choices. E-invites are available too!


White eco-friendly wedding invitation crafted from recyclable paper, elegantly tied with a pink ribbon.


Opt for the Outdoors

Outdoor venues offer a natural ambiance that enhances the overall green wedding experience. The beauty of nature becomes an integral part of the celebration, providing a serene and picturesque backdrop. With ample natural light and ventilation, outdoor venues often require less energy for lighting and climate control results to have a zero-waste wedding. Setting allows guests to connect with nature, fostering a sense of appreciation for the environment. Also enhance the sustainability of a wedding celebration by providing natural beauty, minimising energy usage, reducing decor needs, and fostering a deeper connection with the environment.


 Sun hats neatly arranged on chairs set up on lush green grass outdoors, offering guests protection from the sunlight.


Floral Arrangements

Botanical centrepieces are the most popular, and there is no doubt that flowers look beautiful. But freshly cut plants aren’t the best for the environment. Luckily, there are fantastic eco-friendly wedding alternatives. Consider potted flowers, such as orchids, or plants, including herbs and even trees, that can be reused at home, transplanted to the garden after the event. However, if you are going with cut flowers for the bridal bouquet, choose seasonal blooms that are grown locally or incorporate dried flowers into your arrangements. They can be preserved as keepsakes or reused for other purposes after the wedding. Donating the bouquet and composting it are also greener options!


Recreation Touch bride holding a sustainable bridal bouquet made of vibrant dried flowers for an eco-conscious wedding.


Green Resources

Using eco-friendly resources for sustainable weddings involves opting for biodegradable and sustainable materials to reduce waste. Bamboo cutlery, for example, is a renewable resource that minimise the use of single-use plastics, helping to create an eco-conscious wedding with minimal environmental impact. Moreover, sustainable decor and materials can enhance the wedding's visual appeal, contributing to a unique and eco-friendly atmosphere.


Table setting featuring eco-friendly bamboo plates and cutlery, highlighting a sustainable dining experience by Recreation Touch.


Sustainable Decor

Sustainable decor choices minimise the environmental footprint of the wedding by reducing the demand for new resources, energy, and raw materials. This contributes to a lower quantity waste.

Minimalism is often embraced in green weddings. This approach focuses on quality over quantity, reducing waste and unnecessary consumption. Each decor element serves a purpose and is thoughtfully chosen. Additionally, consider supporting local artisans and craftsmen who create handmade decor items using environment-friendly practices. This not only adds a personalised touch but also contributes to the local economy.


Beachside arch decor created with environmentally friendly elements including leaves, flowers, and pampas grass, embodying a sustainable and natural ambiance.


Green Transportation

Environment-friendly modes of transportation to reduce the wedding's carbon footprint and minimise the impact on the environment. Couples can choose a wedding venue accessible by public transit that encourage guests to use buses or trams reduce the number of individual vehicles on the road. Alternatively, rent or arrange shuttle services with low-emission or electric vehicles can transport guests to and from the venue, reducing the need for multiple cars. Other than that, encourage guests to carpool by providing information about ride-share apps or facilitating carpool groups. Fewer cars on the road lead to reduced emissions.


Tram as the primary mode of transportation for wedding guests, reducing the number of vehicles and promoting eco-conscious travel to the venue.


Go Local

Local sourcing reduces the distance food travels to reach your wedding, minimising transportation-related carbon emissions. This helps combat climate change. Local food is often fresher and more seasonal, offering a higher quality dining experience for your guests. Work with catering companies that prioritise local sourcing and sustainable practices. Discuss your eco-friendly preferences with them & plan your wedding menu based on seasonal ingredients available locally. Seasonal produce often offers the best flavours.


Buffet table showcasing locally-sourced seasonal dishes thoughtfully prepared by local vendors, embracing the essence of green weddings and sustainable dining.


Zero-Waste Wedding Favours

Sustainable weddings prioritise environmental consciousness. Eco-friendly favours demonstrate the couple's commitment to reducing waste and minimising their wedding's impact on the environment. Couples can choose eco-friendly favours that align with their wedding theme, colours, or personal values, making them both meaningful and sustainable. Choosing eco-friendly favours supports businesses that prioritise sustainability, encouraging the growth of eco-conscious industries. Sustainable favours such as reusable straws, potted succulents, plants seeds and organic products


Eco-friendly door gifts for guests: Handmade soaps imprinted with 'zero waste' and other sustainable messages, promoting a green and responsible lifestyle.


Donate the Resources

Donating resources in sustainable weddings involves the intentional act of giving surplus or unused items, such as food, flowers, decor, or even wedding attire, to charitable organisations or local initiatives. Resources that would otherwise be wasted or unused are guaranteed to benefit others. Couples may collaborate with local organisations or charities to facilitate effective resource donations. Thoughtful and eco-conscious practice that extends the positive impact of the wedding day beyond the celebration itself.


RecreationTouch bride walking to her sustainable outdoor wedding with her bridesmaid, holding her eco-friendly bridal bouquet.


Leave-No-Trace Practices

This practice for eco-friendly weddings involve minimising the environmental impact of the wedding event by following principles similar to those applied in Leave-No-Trace outdoor ethics. These practices aim to protect and preserve the natural environment while celebrating love and joy. This includes using sustainable decor, reducing waste, respecting nature, and promoting responsible guest behaviour. These practices help protect the environment while celebrating love responsibly.


Aesthetically placed wooden recycle bin at the wedding venue, encouraging guests to responsibly dispose of waste and support eco-conscious practices.


In conclusion, planning a sustainable wedding is a thoughtful and eco-conscious choice that not only celebrates love but also leaves a positive impact on the environment and community. By following the steps outlined in this article, couples can create a meaningful and eco-friendly wedding day while minimising their carbon footprint and promoting responsible consumption. Eco-friendly weddings represent a commitment to love, nature, and a brighter, more sustainable future. With each eco-conscious choice made, we move one step closer to a green world where weddings and celebrations harmonise beautifully with the planet. So, as you plan your special day, remember that sustainability is not just a trend; it's a powerful way to make a lasting difference.


A person opening the custom-engraved wooden ring holder, which serves as both a nature-inspired centerpiece and a cherished keepsake from the eco-friendly wedding.


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