So you’ve gone green. You compost, grow veggies, and repurpose. You’ve got the sustainable life down pat. But are your wedding plans eco-friendly?

Here’s your cheat sheet on environmentally safe weddings that don’t cost the planet.

Minimalism

What is the easiest way to plan a sustainable wedding? Keep it simple. Carly from Just Married Weddings has an environmental law and science background. She says, “With small weddings, comes fewer waste issues. Our weddings are pared back so all we create is memories. No waste. We have a small table and chairs, simple silk flowers and a beautiful natural location. That’s it. No arbour or decorations, just the couple.”

The minimalist wedding company plants a tree for every one of their couples. A thoughtfully spoken ceremony, twenty guests, and a lunch or private after party is all it takes to make a memorable wedding day!

And my word, it is spectacular…

Bonbonnieres

Let’s talk ethical packaging on those must-have wedding favours. Say you’ve had your heart set on a signature scented, monogramed candle. Does it need to come individually wrapped? Ask your supplier to nix it. Better yet, source a local supplier and pick up the candles yourself to save on postage boxes and plastic bubble wrap.

The best choice for favours are organic ones that aren’t likely to get binned. Everyone can use artisan olive oil, succulents, or handmade soaps.

Supplying handmade soaps Australia-wide, The Singing Soaper source ingredients from Australian suppliers wherever possible, favouring Australian producers. Soaps are made in small batches, without animal products or palm oil. Your order arrives in plastic-free, recycled paper and cardboard packaging. For personalised wedding favours, they work with you to develop a product that reflects your ideas and theme, or provide a variety of guest soaps.

Your Mother’s Dress

Many brides think their mother’s wedding dress is tacky and outdated. But Sydney dressmaker Mandy Heng, recounts that very often she creates inspiring new gowns by using the lace as detail and the fabric as lining. Or she turns the fabric into flowers and other embellishments.

“They [brides] realise you can really rip it apart to make a dress, and then save the scraps for their children’s Christenings. As a designer/dressmaker, my job is to be able to bring the client’s vision to life. It’s about making a beautiful dress that brings out the best of the original material while suiting the bride. I just really hope more brides realise there are more choices than spending $10K on a dress or the cheap $200 overseas ones.”

Here’s just one jaw-dropping example of the stunning gown you could end up with by repurposing a family heirloom.

Straws

Consider reusable or compostable wedding decor like cloth napkins, recycled paper, cotton string, and straw alternatives.

I hear you asking, “Alternatives, you say?” You read that right! Not only should you replace plastic straws, you might choose bamboo or wheat straws like these gluten free wheat stems from www.whatawheat.com. The natural stems are left over from wheat harvesting and simply sterilised and packaged. Best of all, they don’t deteriorate like paper ones when they get wet.

Food Waste

Ask your venue if you can take the extra food. If you’re hosting your wedding in a private location like your best friend’s cabin that overlooks the river, no problem! Offer buffet style catering rather that restaurant style service and you’ll throw out less food.

Get your hands on sugarcane take-away containers. Pretty them up with ribbon and lace, and fill them after dinner service. Line the filled containers on a table near the exit or back onto the buffet tables, and guests can take them home. Not into that idea? No worries. Pack everything up behind the scenes and you’ll have freezer meals for weeks.

Vintage

Why buy new, overproduced, colourless items when there is a plethora of glorious antiques that tell a story? Victoria based wedding hire company Bridal Brocante house about 10,000 vintage items. $1 napkin rings, $4.50 teapots and $15 cupcake stands, sit amongst signs, mirrors, Royal Albert China collections and vintage décor - all waiting to see another wedding day.

How it works: You can send sketches or inspirational photos and Bridal Brocante will match your vision with their stock. They deliver boxes of beautiful treasures the day before the wedding and pick up the day after. And the icing on the (wedding) cake - free delivery within a 50km radius, or freight at the couple’s expense across Victoria.

Balloons

Releasing helium balloons is just straight up pollution. Of Plastic. That will never decompose. Ever. Animals ingest them and get tangled up in the strings. Even foil balloons are really just shiny looking plastic.

What most people also don’t realise is that Helium is a non-renewable element. Helium is extracted from underground and not economical to recollect once it escapes the atmosphere. Since it has many more important uses such as in science, MRI machines and welding, it’s more sustainable to ditch the balloons and opt for more eco-friendly decor. More info on Helium here.

… and Don’t Forget

Support farm to table venues that only serve organic, locally farmed meat and produce. Have your event at a vineyard or private property that have the capabilities to compost their waste.

Recycled paper invitations and thank you cards beat cutting down new trees.

Beeswax and soy candles are biodegradable whereas paraffin candles are not.

Hire a makeup artist who uses vegan makeup lines (makeup that’s free of animal products and that are not tested on fur babies), as well as synthetic brushes vs horsehair brushes.

Before you buy new, check out buy/sell/trade websites where brides can re-home dresses, accessories and decor.

Ask your florist for “in season” blooms. Otherwise they’ll have to fly in flowers from out of state. In fact, bringing your own buckets to your local flower farm can save you cash as well as reduce packaging waste if you’re into DIY.

Shop local and pick up if you can to reduce your carbon footprint involved with shipping.

I hope these ideas start the wheels turning in your mind. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. When creating your to do list, consider how you might make your list more sustainable. And remember, the web is your best friend. One resource I love is the Eco-Ethical Wedding Directory at www.lesssttuffmoremeaning.org. And be sure to subscribe to this blog for more wedding inspiration!

Sustainable Weddings 101