10 Ways to Have an Eco-Friendly Wedding

With more reports and worrying statistics about the future of the planet being released every week, it is essential that we think about what we're consuming and the waste that we're creating, especially for one day events like a Wedding.

Obviously no one expects you to be 100% carbon neutral (unless that's your goal!), but every little helps, so check out these 10 ways you can be more Eco-Friendly at your wedding (whilst also saving lots of money!)...

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1. Upcycle

Use reclaimed wood for your signs, sand and paint old furniture to make cake stands and candy bars, use recycled jars and bottles for your centerpieces, find vintage tea sets in flea markets to use as your dinnerware... the ideas are endless! This is also a great way to save loads of money so it's a win-win for everyone. 

Photo: TheWriteSigns

Also make/buy things that you can keep forever and continue the upcycle cycle! For example, you could make personalised signs that you can hang in your home after the big day, or you could keep your dress to make it into your future daughter's christening dress. 

2. Buy locally

This is a good tip for everyone, whether they're planning a wedding or not. By buying locally you save on delivery fuel consumption and help to add more money into your community. Chances are you can find some unique and well priced stuff in your area too. 

Also ask your venue to see if they have any recommendations for suppliers, or check out local buy and sell facebook groups to see if there is anything being offered there. 

Photo: SweetTropicDesigns

3. Give E-vites not Invites

Electronic invitations are a good way to save on paper which will just end up in the bin at some point anyway. There are loads of places online that let you design and send e-vites and/or design your own wedding website. 

Try the 'Say I Do' website - they offer a free website for up to 100 guests, and they also let you manage RSVPS, collect dietary requirements and more. 

Photo: Say I Do

4. Biodegradable confetti

If you're doing confetti, make sure it is biodegradable! Make your own using stampers and dried leaves, or buy colourful batches like this below from ProperConfetti

Photo: ProperConfetti

5. Usable favours

There are loads of favours you can get that won't be wasted! Get them something edible, drinkable, useable or growable like these adorable seed bombs, which double as place names too, from littlemellow. 

Photo: littlemellow

Or of course, you could just skip the favours altogether, or make a charitable donation on behalf of your guests. 

6. Non-New Wedding Dress

Rather than spending a fortune on a dress you will just wear once, why not try looking for a vintage dress or buy second hand from sites like Still White and Bride2Bride. 

Photo: MarlaHomanCollection

That obviously isn't everyone's style though, so if you are set on buying something brand new, then perhaps consider getting your bridesmaids dresses that they can re-wear again in future instead. 

7. Ditch Plastic

Instead of balloons, decorate with paper flowers or pom poms. Use compostable cutlery and plates rather than plastic ones for a less formal wedding. Ditch scatter crystals or foil wedding shapes for rustic leaves or paper. There are so many ways that you can swap things out!   

Photo: TheTrueLovers

8. Recycle

Talk to your venue about their bin situation and make sure that anything that can be, is recycled after the big day, even if you have to take away some of it yourself. This could also include taking away any leftovers, or giving them to a homeless shelter if that is something you can do locally. 

Photo by Thomas Picauly on Unsplash

9. Make Your Bouquet

Rather than using flowers that will likely die after a few days, again you could make yours and your bridal party's bouquets and boutonnieres with paper flowers, or use buttons, brooches, beads, newspaper, comic book paper... anything that suits your wedding!

This way you will be able to keep your bouquet forever, or recycle it if you want. 

Photo: PaperTreeUK

10. Sell your items

And then, once it's all sadly over, think about selling all of your leftover decor and wedding items. There are plenty of sites that let you do this, check out my post here for The Best Places to Buy and Sell Used Wedding Decor

Again, it's not easy to make loads of changes, especially if you're on a budget or a tight schedule, but every little thing you can do to help the planet will have an impact! 

What things are you doing to have an eco-friendly wedding? Leave a comment below or join my free facebook group here for more cheap wedding decor ideas