There are many ways to say “I do”. Destination weddings, backyard nuptials, or traditional ceremonies are just a few of the options. If you are getting hitched in the near future or just thinking about throwing a big party to celebrate your love, the sky is the limit. In addition to all of those choices, you can also throw a green wedding.
We aren’t talking wedding colors. No one’s going to make the groomsmen don green bowties and cummerbunds. The “green” of a green wedding refers to eco-friendly and sustainable practices. With the average wedding generating more than 400 pounds of garbage, green weddings help reduce the environmental impact of your celebration. It’s a way to ensure your big day is not only lovely, romantic, and memorable but also environmentally responsible. Because the planet deserves our love, too!
Green goes with everything so feel free to incorporate any of our tips below into your wedding vision.
Engagement Rings That Show You Love the Planet, Too
A sustainable wedding starts with the engagement and the ring you select. There are many considerations when it comes to an engagement ring. The traditional choice, of course, is a diamond. And diamonds may be forever but the damage the diamond industry can wreak on the planet is happening right now. Diamond mining produces large amounts of soil, air, and water pollution as well as erosion and greenhouse gases. The good news? There are many alternatives much safer for the environment:
- Lab-generated diamonds—Your diamond doesn’t have to come from the ground. If you want a diamond but don’t want the ethical or environmental guilt of wearing one on your finger every day, consider a diamond produced in a lab. There are few aesthetic differences between mined and lab-grown diamonds and you won’t be able to tell the difference. Lab-generated diamonds are less harmful to the environment overall, but be sure to inquire about how your diamond was produced. A jeweler should have information about the use of renewable energies, for example, in making your diamond.
- Other gemstones—Diamond alternatives are increasingly popular and have the extra benefit of cost savings. Moissanite is a lab-generated stone that looks a lot like a diamond (the average eye won’t be able to tell the difference) but with one of the lowest environmental impacts of any stone. Consider the wearability of any stone you choose. Diamonds are tough and therefore resist everyday wear and tear. Other options like opals or pearls, for example, are much softer and aren’t good options for wearing every day.
- Heirlooms and repurposed materials—The most eco-friendly ring options are to use a pre-existing ring or pre-existing materials. Family heirlooms are great solutions and offer the added bonus of sentimentality. If you have an heirloom but don’t like its look, consider repurposing the ring’s materials. Enlist the help of a jewellery designer to create a new ring using the gold or other metals of the original ring. You can use the existing stone or use the tips above to find an environmentally friendly alternative. No family heirloom? No problem. Look for an antique or vintage ring.
Say Yes to a Green Wedding Dress
With an eco-friendly ring on your finger, it’s time to look for your sustainable wedding dress. Let’s face it, the dress is the centerpiece of the wedding and that means a green wedding requires a low impact dress. The good news is sustainable wedding dresses are increasingly popular allowing for a range of beautiful choices.
Pre-existing is the key term for green weddings. It saves the environment from the impact of producing new goods meaning less energy, less pollution, and less waste. It also saves your wallet. Pre-existing dresses are less expensive and can be just as special.
- Vintage—Nothing is quite as romantic as a vintage wedding dress. It’s your something old and your something “green.” Check out sites like Etsy to search for vintage dresses or online boutiques like Meringue Vintage.
- Reprise and revise—Make a pre-existing dress uniquely yours. Shop secondhand dresses and add your own take and style. With the help of a tailor, designer, or your super-talented Aunt Sue, you can create a completely bespoke look. Still White is the largest online wedding dress marketplace and offers the affordable option of buying your dress directly from an individual seller.
- Eco-friendly designers—Buying new can also be green. Designers are increasingly adding sustainable wedding dresses to their collections. Find eco-friendly designers online or ask your local bridal boutique for recommendations.
Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations
Eco-friendly wedding invitations are the official kickoff to a green wedding. Your invitations set the stage for your big day and relay your values to your guests. Let them know you care about the environment with these low-impact options:
- Recycled and recyclable – The traditional printed invitation route includes a number of green choices. Elect for recycled paper and make sure your guests can in turn recycle the invitation. Use vegetable oils or soy-based inks to avoid harmful chemicals. Paper Culture and Botanical Paper Works are examples of two companies embracing environmental practices.
- DIY – Making your own invitations using hand-lettering and recycled papers is also a great option. If your guest list is small, recruit a few friends for a wedding invitation assembly line!
- Digital – With a range of electronic invitations to choose from, why not go paperless? Minted and Green Envelope have a range of options for the ultimate green wedding invitation.
- Plantable – Seed paper is a popular trend for wedding invitations. Your guests can literally plant your invitation and weeks later see flowers sprouting. What a metaphor for your love!
Consider the Flowers
Flowers are usually a big financial cost for a wedding and can come with a large environmental price tag, too. Cut flowers require long-haul transport and ongoing refrigeration which means high carbon emissions. In other words, definitely not green wedding friendly. Cut back on the cost of cut flowers with these tips and ideas:
- Potted plants – Use potted plants or succulents for your centerpieces. They not only look great but can double as party favors, offering guests a reminder of your beautiful—and green—day.
- Cut flower alternatives – Get creative and go with an alternative to traditional cut flowers. Paper and cloth flowers are trendy as are bouquets featuring succulents, dried flowers, or wildflowers. A florist can help you brainstorm alternatives for both the bridal bouquets and table arrangements.
- Go seasonal – If you have your heart set on cut flowers, be sure you are selecting from flowers in season to cut down on transportation costs. Here’s a list of seasonal flowers to get you started. Any florist can give you a range of ideas, too. Who needs sunflowers in January anyway?
Gifts that Keep Giving
Emphasize your green wedding priorities with a green gift registry. An environmentally friendly registry allows your guests to participate in your green wedding theme. Don’t worry, you’ll still get great stuff!
- Experiences over things – Ask your guests to contribute to your honeymoon fund or add money to your “adventure fund” for ongoing good times after you are hitched.
- Green gifts – Include a few sustainable gift sites in your registry—or use these sites exclusively. You can find the things you typically include in a wedding registry like stemware and linens but with a planet-loving twist. Check out VivaTerra, MadeTrade, and EarthHero.
- Donate – If you feel pretty well stocked in the home goods department, asking guests to donate to your favorite causes is a powerful way to give back to the things you care about and share your values with others. The Good Beginning is a platform for collecting donations and connects donations directly to your selected charity.
Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. Make it a day that also inspires others by embracing the green wedding concept. It’s guaranteed to give you and your guests an extra dose of warm fuzzies and good feels.
