Are you planning a big day and considering options for an eco-friendly wedding? If so, you’re not alone. In recent years there’s been a noticeable shift towards more sustainable weddings, as couples around the world look to do their part in helping the environment while still celebrating with style. In fact, experts estimate that close to 90% of all weddings will prioritize being green by 2025.
It’s clear that sustainable weddings are becoming increasingly popular – but what does it actually mean to have one, and why are they gaining traction? In this blog post we’ll explore just that; by the end of it you’ll be equipped with the knowledge needed to plan your own sustainable wedding that won’t compromise on luxury or style.
What is a sustainable wedding?
Weddings are a joyous occasion that will hopefully leave positive memories in the minds of all the guests present on the day. But these special celebrations can also leave a stain on the environment, with huge amounts of carbon and waste often generated as a result.
A sustainable wedding (or green wedding) is where the couple makes a conscious effort to reduce the environmental impact of their day, by incorporating eco-friendly alternatives to replace some of the most environmentally damaging elements.
It’s also possible to not only negate the negative impacts of a traditional wedding, but to even leave a net positive impact on the environment as a result of your big day.
Why are sustainable weddings important?
Lots of research has been done into the harmful effects weddings can have on the planet, with the outcomes potentially encouraging more people to think twice about their choices. Research shows that the average wedding produces 400 pounds of waste and 63 tons of carbon dioxide – which multiplies to shocking figures when you consider the US hosts millions of weddings each year.
It’s clear that these momentous occasions can have more sinister undertones if the necessary precautions aren’t taken to protect our environment. Below, we explore some of the reasons why more and more people are opting to throw a green celebration of their own.
What are the benefits?
Protect the environment
Ultimately, the overriding aim of a green wedding is to limit the impact you have on the environment. Enjoy a guilt-free wedding by taking steps to reduce your carbon footprint and limit the amount of waste that goes into landfills after the day.
You can save money
You may think that making a significant effort to incorporate sustainability into your wedding’s theme will end up costing you more, but in fact the opposite can be true. By limiting the amount of waste you generate, you will find you can trim your budget and less money will end up in the bin.
You can have some fun
Rather than purchasing and transporting your decor or wedding favors, why not make them yourselves? Use your sustainable theme as an opportunity to do some DIY with your loved one in the buildup to the big day – you could even recruit the help of friends and family. This way, you can ensure you’re only using the most eco-friendly materials. It’s also a great way to customize your wedding and enjoy a celebration that’s totally unique to you.
You can help out your local community
Green weddings often rely on local suppliers and vendors to deliver some of the most important aspects of the day. Using a local florist, farmer or entertainer will not only help to reduce your wedding’s carbon footprint, but you will also be helping to support your local community. Better yet, if these suppliers have eco-friendly policies in place themselves, you will be further supporting the protection of our environment.
How to host your own sustainable wedding
Executing your own eco-friendly wedding is potentially less daunting than you might think. The key is to implement small, simple changes that when brought together will help to make a huge difference.
There are so many different elements to a wedding day, and some parts will naturally leave a larger carbon footprint than others. Start by breaking the day down into different parts, from the venue, to the food, to the entertainment, to the decorations. Often, by addressing the most important aspects of the day first, such as the venue, you will find it becomes easier for the sustainability theme to seep into all the other elements.
So, if you’re starting to plan an upcoming wedding, why not make it as sustainable as possible? There are plenty of benefits to using eco-friendly alternatives throughout your big day—it’s a great way to showcase your eco-conscious values to your guests and inspire others to do the same. One green wedding won’t change the world, but if we all make a conscious effort to adopt these key principles, the impact can be monumental. For more tips on planning an unforgettable, sustainable wedding, be sure to visit DJ Keelez & Associates to explore how we can help make your vision a reality.
