How to Plan a Sustainable Wedding that Guests will Remember Forever
Photographed by Jessica Harding.
How to Plan a Sustainable and
Intentional Wedding
If you’re here, it probably means you’re looking for advice on how to plan a meaningful wedding, while also being conscious of your impact! As a August 2024 bride, I hear you!
Wedding planning can feel overwhelming, especially at the beginning! There is so much information out there and TikTok trends and hashtags like #WeddingTok can constantly make you doubt what you’ve planned. My hope is that this can serve as a resource for you as you start on your wedding planning journey, and provide helpful tips and advice that I wish I would have known going into planning.
Planning a sustainable wedding is not just a trend; it's a meaningful way to start your life together while caring for our planet. Whether you're a 2024 or 2025 bride, these tips will help you create a wedding day that's both unforgettable and eco-friendly.
Tips on How to Plan a Sustainable Wedding
1. Reuse, Repurpose, and Rock Your Décor
Start by looking at what you already have or can borrow. Thrift stores and family heirlooms can be treasure troves for unique and charming pieces. Imagine setting your tables with vintage vases filled with fresh flowers. Not only does this save money, but it also reduces waste. Plus, they add a personal touch that new items just can't compete with.
One of my favorite elements of our August 2024 wedding was all of the intentional decorations we choose to use. We collected all of our baskets from around our house to use as decorations, and even used the artwork above our bed as our seating chart for guest! It’s really fun to get creative and find ways to repurpose the things you already have and love around your home for your big day.
Our wedding day "alter" sourced by Oldies Flower Co in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Photographed by Jessica Harding.
2. Choose Vendors Who Share Your Eco Values
When selecting your vendors, look for those who prioritize sustainability. Work with caterers who offer farm-to-table options and choose venues that use energy-efficient practices. Many vendors when asked can share with you their sustainability initiatives, from composting to using local ingredients/flowers/products. Not only does this ensure your wedding aligns with your values, but it also makes the planning process smoother and more rewarding.
Matt and I were really fortunate to find a venue that a ton of sustainable initiatives from no single-use plastics to sourcing locally to composting any food waste. It also helped that our venue was stunning so matter where you looked, so it made it really easy to source and select decorations that complimented the views, rather than having to completely decorate a blank space.
Photographed by Jessica Harding.
3. Keep It Local
Supporting local businesses is a win-win. By sourcing your materials, flowers, and food locally, you minimize your carbon footprint and get the freshest options available. Imagine a menu that highlights seasonal produce from nearby farms. Delicious and sustainable! Or imagine locally sourced flowers that bring the essence of the city you’re getting married in to life. Locally sourced materials and businesses are by far one of the easiest and more meaningful things you can choose when wedding planning.
For our wedding, we were lucky our venue and caterer commonly sources local ingredients from local farmers for the reception dinner. For the flowers, that seemed to be a little bit trickier since we got married in the New Mexican desert. However, we were able to find the kindest florist who worked extra hard to source 98% of the wedding flowers locally! It can be difficult to source specific colors and varieties locally, so my advice would be to go into florals with an open mind.
Our wedding day flowers sourced by Oldies Flower Co in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Photographed by Jessica Harding.
4. Embrace Minimalism
Less is more when it comes to planning a sustainable wedding. If you don't need it, skip it! Focus on the essentials and avoid unnecessary extras like extravagant centerpieces or wedding favors that guests might not use. Your guests are there to celebrate your love, not to collect trinkets.
I think this kind of goes back to the idea of selecting a venue that you adore as is. It makes it easy when you already love the base aesthetic of your venue to showcase the natural beauty that made you fall in love with the venue in the first place.
Our wedding day flowers sourced by Oldies Flower Co in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Photographed by Jessica Harding.
5. Add Personal Touches with DIY Projects
DIY projects are a fantastic way to add a personal touch to your wedding. Consider making handwritten notes for your guests or crafting homemade candles as favors. These small details can have a big impact, showing your guests that you've put effort and love into every aspect of your day.
One of my visions going into the wedding was creating little intentional moments for each guest. I knew Matt & I wouldn’t be able to make our rounds to every single table during the reception, so taking additional time to write handwritten cards to each guest made my heart soar. It definitely took additional time to do (so plan accordingly), but it was by far one of my favorite details of the entire day.
Photographed by Jessica Harding.
6. Opt for Sustainable Alternatives
Think about using silk flowers, wooden flowers, or even potted herbs and plants instead of traditional cut flowers. These options can be reused or planted, adding life to your home long after the wedding day. Also, consider renting clothes and jewelry to reduce waste and save money. Another note to keep in mind is to avoid as many single-use plastics as possible. Instead of purchasing custom monogramed plastic drink stirrers or personalized napkins, look for reusable or compostable alternatives. I love these little edible drink toppers you can customize on Etsy. Is a fun way to include a personal touch with something that doesn’t just get thrown away afterwards.
Every little bit helps in reducing waste and showing your commitment to sustainability!
Our wedding day flowers sourced by Oldies Flower Co in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Photographed by Jessica Harding.
It’s Definitely Possible to Celebrate Love and Sustainability!
By incorporating these tips, you're well on your way to planning a wedding that's as beautiful as it is eco-friendly. Remember, it's all about making choices that reflect who you are as a couple while keeping things fun and fresh. Your wedding day is a celebration of love, and by prioritizing sustainability, you're also contributing to a better future.
Now go out there, create those #EcoWeddingGoals, and show everyone how fabulous sustainability can be! With careful planning and thoughtful choices, your wedding will be a day to remember, for you, your guests, and the planet.
By planning with the planet in mind, you're not just having a memorable day but also making a positive impact. Here's to a beautiful, sustainable wedding that starts your marriage off on the right foot!
XOXO,
Krys <3
