60 Eco-Friendly Wedding Ideas For Your Big Day
It’s wonderful that you and your partner are exploring eco-friendly wedding ideas for your special day.
From choosing a venue with sustainable practices to renting décor, there are plenty of thoughtful ways to make your celebration greener.
Read on for inspiration!
Sustainable Wedding Ideas
Venues & Travel
1. Choose a sustainable wedding venue like Villiers Hotel with eco-friendly practices.
2. Host your ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening reception all in one location.
3. Host part of your celebration outdoors to reduce electricity use.
4. Encourage carpooling or offer a shuttle bus for guests.
5. Consider eco-conscious transport options like a horse-drawn carriage.
Invitations & Signage
6. Send digital invitations instead of printed ones.
7. Use recycled or FSC-certified paper for any printed materials.
8. Add a packet of wildflower seeds to your invitations.
9. Swap printed signage for digital displays where possible.
10. Avoid glitter or plastic embellishments which aren't recyclable.
Flowers & Greenery
11. Use locally grown, seasonal flowers.
12. Repurpose ceremony flowers at the reception.
13. Use dried or high-quality faux flowers in your bouquets and décor.
14. Preserve your wedding bouquet to reduce waste.
15. Choose a florist who follows sustainable practices.
Décor & Styling
16. Rent decorations instead of buying new.
17. Use second-hand or upcycled décor.
18. Keep decorations minimalistic.
19. Choose candles which don't release harmful chemicals.
20. Repurpose items where possible.
Beauty & Hair
21. Choose cruelty-free and vegan beauty products.
22. Limit disposable items like wipes or cotton pads.
23. Use refillable makeup or low-waste beauty brands.
24. Book a trial session to avoid product waste on the big day.
25. Hire a local hair and makeup artist to reduce travel emissions.
Wedding Fashion
26. Buy a second-hand or vintage wedding dress.
27. Choose a dress made from sustainable or organic fabrics.
28. Rent suits and dresses for the wedding party.
29. Wear accessories you already own or borrow from loved ones.
30. Support designers with transparent and ethical production practices
Favours & Gifts
31. Give guests reusable favours like tote bags or bamboo straws.
32. Gift potted herbs or plants.
33. Choose edible favours like local jam or honey.
34. Skip plastic packaging and wrap gifts in recycled or reusable materials
35. Donate to charity on behalf of guests instead of giving favours.
Ceremony Touches
36. Use biodegradable confetti or dried flower petals.
37. Avoid single-use ceremony items like balloons or paper fans.
38. Choose a reusable ceremony backdrop like a faux flower arch.
39. For rings consider vintage or sustainably sourced bands.
40. Create a minimalist ceremony layout.
Wedding Suppliers & Entertainment
41. Work with local suppliers to reduce travel emissions.
42. Choose vendors who follow sustainable or ethical practices.
43. Hire an acoustic musician or small band to reduce energy use.
44. Choose a photographer who offers digital albums instead of printed ones.
45. Use a minimalist photo booth setup with reusable props.
Food & Drink
46. Choose a caterer who uses local, seasonal ingredients.
47. Offer a vegetarian or plant-based menu option.
48. Avoid disposable plates and cutlery.
49. Check if the venue allows you to take leftover food home.
50. Avoid individually wrapped items.
Location
51. Secure a nearby venue to support local businesses.
52. Ensure the venue is accessible by public transport if possible.
53. Choose a venue with on-site accommodation or options nearby.
54. Host your wedding in a location central to most guests.
55. Look for venues in towns with green transport options.
Honeymoon Choices
56. Choose a UK or short-haul honeymoon destination to reduce air travel.
57. Stay in eco-friendly accommodation or eco-resorts.
58. Avoid single-use travel products.
59. Use public transport as much as possible.
60. Support local communities and responsible tourism activities.
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We hope you enjoyed exploring these eco-friendly wedding ideas, many of which have come from our amazing couples here at Villiers Hotel.
Hopefully these ideas have sparked your creativity as you plan your own sustainable wedding.
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Eco-Friendly Wedding Ideas | FAQS
How can I make my wedding more eco-friendly?
There are so many ways to make your wedding more eco-friendly. From selecting a venue with sustainable practices to ensuring your catering uses local ingredients and seasonal flavours, the possibilities are endless.
What are some sustainable alternatives to traditional wedding favours?
Consider gifting potted plants, packets of wildflower seeds, or reusable items like tote bags instead of disposable favours.