Inspiration Nation: 10 Ways to Plan an Eco-Friendly Wedding

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

10 Ways to Plan an Eco-Friendly Wedding

While planning a bepsoke, style centric celebration is at the heart of SMP, so is crafting a wedding that makes the world a better place. Over the years we’ve been inspired by brides who put sustainability at the forefront of their festivities (see some of our faves here + here) and in honor of Earth Day we have Allison Beal of StyleSaint, and Rebekah Carey of A&B Creative here to share their tips for an eco-friendly “I do” from start to finish. Ashley Kelemen captured the bridal beach shoot they crafted with this very sentiment in mind, and there’s more moments to pin in the gallery.

1. FORAGE FLOWERS/GREENS + BUY LOCAL AND IN-SEASON

Foraging for greens to supplement your bouquet and centerpieces is a great way to be sustainable as well as save money. Fields, abandoned lots, and sides of roads are great places to go foraging. Try not to take more than 25% of any particular plant. If you’re buying flowers, farmer’s markets and local flower farms are great places to start. Try to always use what’s local and in season.

2. USE SILK SCRAPS AS FLOWER RIBBON

There is nothing more beautiful or personal that taking the scraps from your dress hem and adding it to your beautiful bouquet. Not only is the quality of fabric the best you could find, but it also adds a personal touch.

3. CHOOSE A REHEARSAL AND SHOWER DRESS YOU’LL WEAR AGAIN

Reserving your “wear once” purchase to only your wedding dress not only reduces wasteful spending but also ups your closet game.

4. PICK DECOR ITEMS YOU’LL REUSE IN YOUR HOME OR GIFT TO OTHERS

If you aren’t renting, try to purchase used (i.e. vintage candle sticks) or ones that you can use again or give away. If you were to make your napkins for example, a great idea is to give them to friends and family as holiday gifts in packs along with a loaf of bread and jam.

5. CONSIDER LIVING CENTERPIECES THAT CAN BE PLANTED POST-WEDDING

Planted flowers and plants make beautiful centerpieces! In addition to being “green” they can double as favors for your guests and you can even plant some at home after to remember the special day.

6. SERVE LOCALLY SOURCED FOOD

As farm-to-table becomes more and more prominent, catering companies are more likely to have relationships with farms and vendors who can help them create a local, in-season menu for you.

7. ASK YOUR CATERING COMPANY TO COMPOST AND RECYLE

Feeding a group of people at a single time creates a lot of waste, simply having compost and recycling for your catering company can make a big difference.

8. PROVIDE HAND TOWELS IN YOUR BATHROOMS INSTEAD OF PAPER TOWELS

Providing beautiful hand towels for your guests in the bathrooms instead of paper towels not only reduces waste but feels more luxe.

9. REDUCE PAPER IMPACT

We’re so lucky that today there are beautiful paper options that are also 100% post-consumer recycled. You can use less paper by having your maps, registry information, etc. available on your website as opposed to printed out and included with your invitation. Having a large program at your ceremony and a large menu at your reception also allows your guests to know what’s going on, but eliminates the need to have individual pieces for each of your guests.

10. RENT INSTEAD OF BUY WHEN IT COMES TO DECOR

Vintage rental companies and other niche rental outfits are such an amazing resource for decor. It limits last minute impulse buys and also frees up time that would otherwise be spent scouring Craigslist.