As a socially conscious couple who uses eco-friendly products and recycles, it is natural that you would want your special day to be a green wedding. Other names for green weddings are sustainable or eco-friendly celebrations. The aim is to limit any damage to the environment through the choices you make for your special day.
As people become more aware, sustainable wedding options have increased from engagement rings to invitations to catering. With the demand for green goods and services increasing, the supply of eco-friendly alternatives has started to keep up. This means that it is no more hassle to plan a green wedding than to gear up for the usual choices. With a bit of research, you can cover all your bases.
Here is a guide to how you can reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding
Engagement and Wedding Rings
Preparing for your special green day starts with selecting rings that have been ethically sourced. This means that no child labour has been used and that workers have been paid a fair wage for their services to mine diamonds and gold. Additionally, workers should have proper health and safety protections when working in mines.
Diamonds should also be conflict-free. This means that they were not used to finance civil wars, unlike blood diamonds. Countries that abide by the Kimberley Process will only allow diamonds on the market that are conflict-free and certified accordingly. You should also ask for the history of your stone.
Eco-friendly Wedding Invitations and Menus
It is easy to find an outlet that uses recycled paper for creating wedding invitations. Why not go one step further and use seed paper for not only your invitations but your menus as well? Seed paper is made from recycled, biodegradable paper embedded with actual seeds.
After the wedding, ask guests to take their invites home, plant them in a pot, and water them. They will be rewarded with beautiful wildflowers. Yes, the seeds really do grow into flowers!
You can use this idea for gifts to thank your guests for sharing your special day and your wedding will keep giving back to nature, making the best sustainable gifts UK.
A Green Registry
It is customary to make a list of items you would like to receive as wedding gifts from your guests and to highlight vendors that they can use. This is a fantastic opportunity to ask for eco-friendly gifts that you really want. You will also play your part in making ethical presents UK more commonplace.
Choose a Sustainable Wedding and Reception Venue
The biggest carbon footprints from weddings and receptions often come from the venue. Choose a sustainable provider who cares about the environment. Some of these venues provide full vegetarian menus as well.
An alternative is to select a conservation site as your venue and say your vows outdoors. Natural lighting will cut down on your carbon footprint. You can avoid cutting flowers to decorate a hall if you find a beautiful place with plenty of colourful plants.
You can have a stunning wedding without compromising your values.
Last Updated on June 25, 2023 by Lucy Clarke
