He’s taken you to your favourite vegan restaurant and is now kneeling – very carefully so as not to crease his eco-designer white Reformation jeans – and holding up a stunning lab diamond solitaire. You don’t hesitate in saying yes – this is your soulmate, after all.
But while you can’t wait to sashay down the aisle to become his wife, you also need to make another commitment on the Big Day to the planet.
Food waste, plastic packaging and single-use decorations, not to mention all the guests travelling from far and wide, can make weddings pretty wasteful events. So the real question is do you want to be mindful of the planet for your nuptials and have an eco-wedding? ‘I do!’
While most of us pride ourselves in caring about recycling, reducing waste and lowering our carbon footprint in our everyday lives, the excitement of planning a wedding can cause its (vast) impact on the environment to be overlooked. The average wedding produces the same amount of CO2 emissions as five people would in an entire year, according to research. In the US, where flying is more common, the average carbon footprint of a wedding amounts to around 56 metric tons (61 tons) of CO2 – the equivalent cost of 312 trees in carbon emissions. Plus there’s all the waste – around 181.44 kgs from a single day on average – that’s a lot of single use items.
Everyone wants their perfect day to be, well, perfect, and you can have all the frills and a clear conscience. There are endless ways to get creative and with a little bit of help, you can embody an Eco-bride rather than Bridezilla! Here’s how to get started on hosting a sustainable, eco-wedding.
Eco-Wedding Decor Ideas
In terms of decor, you might not realise just how much of a negative impact traditional inclusions have. Balloons are often made of materials that don’t break down and confetti may be small, but it can have big consequences. Traditional confetti is made of PVC and other plastics, which, according to experts, can take 1,000 years to break down. It isn’t just polluting the environment either, it’s also harming wildlife. It can also end up in rivers and oceans, harming marine life. Opt for natural versions such as seasonal leaves or petals for a pretty eco-wedding flurry.
Choosing exotic flowers rather than seasonal also means they have to arrive from afar, resulting in a higher level of CO2 emissions, not to mention the use of potentially harmful chemical fertilisers used to grow the which can pollute the soil. Why not go for flowers from your own garden on the Big Day or choose a florist that uses local, seasonal, field-grown flowers wherever possible. Pick arrangements that don’t need floral plastic foam and use lots of foliage. Making it a feature will give your floral decorations volume and impact. Lots of foliage at a summer wedding keeps things cool and literally shows off your green credentials.
Be Mindful When Choosing a Venue
Try to book a place closest to the majority of your guest list. Can you have the ceremony, dinner and dancing all on one site? Check that the venue gets its energy from renewable sources, or recycles and uses biodegradable materials in house. Encourage your guests to carpool or hire a shuttle service to take everybody together. Choose a location with natural beauty for the backdrop of your photos rather than artificial decor. Beach weddings have become increasingly popular. A gentle sea breeze, the backdrop whoosh of the waves and golden sunset hues for the reception dinner create a magical atmosphere for your perfect eco-wedding that can’t be replicated in traditional indoor venues.
Keep It Small
Lower carbon footprints by making the decision to have a smaller wedding with fewer guests. Enjoy absolute quality time with less people, relieving yourself from the pressure of having to spread yourself around a crowded room. It’s worth remembering that a wedding is not about ‘everybody’ on the day but just two people: the bride and groom. A small eco-wedding allows you the opportunity to soak in the moments more deeply and gives you flexibility on locations and expenses.
Pre-loved is Forever Loved
‘As a society, we are raising our consciousness of where we get our clothes and where our clothes go when we are done with them,’ says Alexis Novak, owner of Tab Vintage in Los Angeles. Fashion is over consumed and wedding outfits rarely make a second outing, making them wasteful and expensive. Buying a second hand wedding dress means you can search for a vintage classic or get the style of your dreams for a fraction of the price. Why break the bank for something you (hopefully) only ever wear once?
Preloved Wedding Dresses in Dubai, owned by Hadir El Meligui, ships internationally and has more than 100k followers on Instagram. Check out the wedding attire on Dress Come True (dresscometrue.com) for affordable, sustainable beautiful garments. Or, rent a chic designer dress from designer-24.com/bridal-gowns. You’ll be saving the planet and your pocket.
Eco-Conscious from Top to Toe
Rather than dressing your bridesmaids and groomsmen in identical outfits, give them a colour pallet so they can choose their own clothes. This will avoid wasteful consumption and give your favourite people an incentive to get something they will wear again and again. Plus, they will feel comfortable and relaxed to fully enjoy your special day.
Choose shoes you will wear again. Many brides are opting for trainers for sheer comfort – throbbing feet are just not worth it. You could also encourage the wedding party to wear shoes they already own. Luckily, so many cosmetic brands are eco-friendly and cruelty-free, so make sure you double check before you powder your nose.
Reuse, Reduce and Recycle
Thrift your eco-wedding decor. Buy second-hand on pre-loved platforms such as Vinted or Facebook Marketplace to find the perfect style for your wedding. Use lots of candles to save energy and create an intimate atmosphere. Frame old photographs of you and your partner (and guests) and hang them around the venue. Single use flower arrangements do not serve the environment well, but potted plants are a beautiful, sustainable alternative. Double check that your venue recycles and only works with reusable cutlery, crockery and glasses.
Everybody loves a wedding favour too, but it has become too common for novelty moments to become landfill. Pop a little succulent plant beside the place names on tables. Give edible gifts such as vegan chocolates. If you want to provide a keepsake, how about a personalised reusable water bottle?
Plant-based Party Food
If you and your partner regularly eat a plant-based diet, a wedding menu that reflects your dietary preference is staying true to yourselves. While it’s common to take guests’ dietary needs into account, not much thought is given to where and how our food arrives on the plate. Consider a vegan menu for your eco-wedding using a local caterer or restaurant to support local businesses. Offer canapés of sun-dried tomato and basil arancini balls, spinach and artichoke cups and roasted cauliflower tacos.
And no wedding is complete without a cake. Check out Lucuma in Dubai for delicious handmade vegan wedding cakes or the delightful array of options at Sugaholic. sugaholic.com/vegan
