Photo // Kristen Bowen Photography
If you want to know how to have a sustainable wedding, you’re in the right place! We’re sharing our guide to having a sustainable wedding — otherwise known as a green wedding, eco-conscious wedding, eco-friendly wedding or ethical wedding.
Whether you want a fully sustainable wedding with zero waste or are simply looking to be more conscious about your choices on your wedding day, we’ve got you covered.
HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR WEDDING MORE SUSTAINABLE?
Weddings can have a reputation for being wasteful when it comes to things like single-use plastics or paper and carbon footprints, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Today’s couples can source ethical products and use eco-friendly wedding design in ways that weren’t possible even a few years ago.
What does that mean? All of the celebration and none of the guilt. Having an eco-conscious celebration is about more than being trendy. It’s about making decisions that benefit everyone involved, from your local community to the world at large — any way you can.
How do you make your wedding more sustainable? By being purposeful and thoughtful as you plan your wedding. Eco-friendly and sustainable choices are about considering the impact of your decisions.
Now that we know it’s possible, let’s dive into some great ideas for how to have an eco-friendly, sustainable wedding.
Here are a few things you need to know before we get started —
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- Set realistic expectations and don’t try to do everything on the list.
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- Prioritize what matters to you and focus on it.
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- Don’t feel guilty if you’re not having a zero-waste wedding. Do one thing or a few things and feel good about the positive direction.
IDEAS FOR HOW TO HAVE A SUSTAINABLE WEDDING
Start with Responsible Ring Sourcing
Before the wedding planning comes the ring, so that’s the best place to start. There are a few ways to be eco-conscious when shopping for a ring.
Buy conflict-free diamonds or gems
Most jewelers are very conscious of sourcing conflict-free materials, but it’s important to ask and use suppliers with transparent, traceable sourcing. For example, Barrington Jewels offers conflict-free and Kimberley Process. certified diamonds upon client request.
Purchase an alternative stone
Often referred to as ethical engagement rings, lab-grown diamonds, gemstones, and hybrids are considered more earth-friendly. If you are looking for a stunning alternative that avoids new mining, Barrington Jewels provides a variety of lab-grown stones.
Opt for Vintage Rings
One of the most sustainable choices is going vintage. Whether that’s buying estate jewelry or reworking a family heirloom, this breathes new life into an old piece. Barrington Jewels practices this circular approach by recycling all metal scraps from their shop and offering heirloom reworking to modernize family treasures.
Keep the Guest List Smaller
This isn’t for everyone, but if you’re interested in having an eco-friendly wedding, a smaller guest list is one of the ways to do it. This reduces waste, carbon emissions and more. Take this opportunity to consider why you are inviting the people you are and if that is still important to you. But don’t go smaller because you think you have to! There are plenty of ways to do good and waste less, even with a guest list that tops 300+.
Make Your Registry Eco-Friendly
Yes, even your registry can be eco-friendly!
Add sustainable items to your registry
Ideas include Stasher food bags, reusable straws, ethically-sourced linens and serving ware. These items are readily available on nearly any wedding registry. For heirloom-style items that are ethically-sourced and sustainably made, consider adding a registry at shops whose whole focus is stocking items like this.
Register for charitable causes — and do good!
This doesn’t have to be the only thing you register for, but consider adding your favorite charity — earth-friendly or some cause you are passionate about. This is a great option for couples who aren’t into getting gifts or who have already set up house. Even better, find non-profits in your area that are doing work you care about.
Keep Selections Local – From Vendors to Menus to Flowers
We wholeheartedly believe that local vendors are the best vendors, and they’re also often the most eco-friendly choice as well. Local wedding pros and products are sustainable because they reduce carbon footprint.
There are a few different types of local choices you can make to make your wedding more sustainable.
Hire local vendors
It reduces travel and transportation impacts on the environment, and it is the best way to find other local wedding vendors to continue making eco-friendly decisions.
Making your wedding menu local
Choose caterers that support local farmers, offer fair-trade selections, and practice ethical sourcing. Add more vegetarian options as they create less carbon emissions.
- For a truly local experience, look to vendors like Toast The Host. They are known for fresh, made-from-scratch menus and a focus on “thoughtful hospitality.” They can help you design a bar service that leans into local brews and seasonal ingredients, ensuring your “toast to the planet” is as delicious as it is responsible.
- If you are looking for an elevated, bespoke menu, First Class Catering is another excellent choice. They specialize in fine dining with a focus on fresh ingredients and can tailor their service to include family-style or plated meals, which naturally minimize the food waste often found in large-scale buffets.
- For the ultimate land-to-table experience, consider a farm-to-table partner like Traders Point Creamery. Their philosophy ensures that the food served is organic, seasonal, and often sourced directly from their own pastures, drastically reducing the carbon footprint of your wedding meal.
Photo // Kristen Bowen Photography
Select florists with sustainable practices
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This is one of the more direct ways to have a sustainable wedding. Many local pros are leading the way here:
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Fiore Design Studio focuses heavily on locally sourced blooms, working closely with the Indiana Floral Collective to connect local farmers and florists. They even host workshops on sustainable flower farming for those who want to learn more!
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Camino & Company makes it their mission to support the community by sourcing as many locally-grown blooms as possible, especially for weddings and market work.
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Satin & Stems reduces environmental impact by sourcing from local farms when in season and buying in bulk through Indiana wholesale suppliers to limit excess packaging.
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Wedding Florals by Patty also emphasizes locally grown, in-season florals while deferring to wholesalers who strictly source clean products.
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Pro Tip on Mechanics: Sustainability happens behind the scenes, too. Satin & Stems reuses all their hidden “mechanics” (the metal and plastic pieces that hold arrangements together) and even reuses cardboard for transporting rentals. Meanwhile, Wedding Florals by Patty points out that “trending decor”—like specific vases and compotes—actually makes it easier to design without foam.
Go foam-free. Traditional florist foam is not biodegradable and contains toxic materials. While many are moving away from it, Wedding Florals by Patty notes that this presents an interesting dilemma: the production of coated chicken wire can sometimes be more toxic than high-quality, environment-friendly foam. It often comes down to budget and selecting the right tools for the design. To close the loop, Satin & Stems ensures that any “green matter” (leaves, petals, and sticks) is composted before and after the event so as little as possible hits the dumpster.
Pick an Eco-Friendly Venue
Whether you want to get married in a small garden or a large venue, there are ways to keep your venue selection green.
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Opt for an outdoor space. Cut down on the need for extra decor, heating or air conditioning.
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Select a space that helps the environment. Venues like Traders Point Creamery offer a stunning, rustic backdrop that is also a certified organic dairy farm. By hosting your event in their restored barns or open-air porches, you are supporting a business dedicated to regenerative agriculture and the preservation of local green space.
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Choose a venue with eco-friendly policies. Camino & Company also incorporates select reusable elements into their designs as a way to help reduce overall waste.
Cut down on the need for extra decor, heating, or air conditioning, and get married outdoors.
Select a space that helps the environment
Did you know that when you get married in certain outdoor spaces, part of the funds go to support conservation efforts? For example, if you get married in a national or state park, your fee will help maintain and preserve that land for future generations.
Choose a venue that practices eco-friendly policies and holds certifications
Your wedding doesn’t have to be outdoors to be sustainable. Having an eco-conscious wedding is about reducing your event’s carbon footprint. When you’re touring venues, ask about the venue’s green practices. From LEED certifications to Energy Star ratings — there are many ways venues can be environmentally friendly while still hosting large-scale events in a beautiful space. And don’t feel like you need to know everything about going green in order for it to be important to you. It’s about making little steps forward.
BONUS — Consider distance when choosing your venue. Travel is a big contributor to carbon emissions. A simple way to make your nuptials more earth-friendly is to choose a location and venue that minimizes unnecessary travel. But don’t feel like you can’t have a destination wedding if that’s what you prefer! There are plenty of ways to still go green.
Go Green with Your Wedding Paper and Signage
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Choose eco-friendly wedding paper. Look for companies that use recycled paper, plantable paper or alternative materials. Twin Sisters Designs specializes in bespoke stationery and letterpress, utilizing cotton cardstock for the majority of their projects. Cotton papers are highly sustainable, tree-free, and create a luxurious, tactile experience.
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Use alternative materials in place of wedding paper. When it comes to place cards and day-of signage, your local vendors can offer some creative, eco-friendly choices. Calligraphy Jewels specializes in working on surfaces other than paper to create memorable, sustainable pieces—think wood-burned wood slices, engraved stones, shells, or even calligraphy on fruits and macarons.
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Think big with fabric signage. For large signage needs like welcome signs and seating charts, Twin Sisters Designs utilizes fabric. This choice significantly reduces landfill waste compared to traditional plastics and acrylics, while adding a soft, elegant touch to your decor.
The decor adds so much to a wedding space, but it can also be a source of waste if you’re not careful.
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Utilize built-in decor. Greenhouses full of plants, wineries with stunning vistas, gardens with canopies — look for ways to reduce waste by selecting locations that come with built-in decor.
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Rent as much as possible and avoid single-use products. Instead of using single-use plastic or paper, rent the real thing. Working with specialized rental companies like LGi Linens, Violet Vintage Rentals, or Ace Party Rental is a fantastic way to secure beautiful, high-quality items—from linens to serveware—that can be used time and again rather than thrown away.
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Use decor that you want to keep. That’s right! Consider selecting items that can be used in your home afterward.
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Donate the decor you don’t want to keep. Satin & Stems makes a point to clean and reuse their metal and plastic mechanics for as many weddings as possible to ensure their gear doesn’t become one-time-use waste.
Hire a company that specializes in eco-friendly garbage removal
Companies like Garbage Goddess or Compostable have made it their mission to help the planet by offering a full eco breakdown service for events, including composting, and providing carbon offsetting for their vehicles.
Select Green Wedding Attire and Beauty Products
Your clothes and how you get ready for the big day can be sustainable too. Even something as small as making more mindful beauty and hair product selections on your wedding day contributes to a better world!
Wear second-hand or vintage clothes
This could be an heirloom dress or suit, or a vintage find. Give life to a well-loved piece and make it part of your story!
Select items you’ll wear again
Find ways to select items for your accessories, shoes and other attire pieces that you can wear again. Sometimes reducing waste is as simple as reusing something.
Ask your hair and makeup vendors about eco-friendly products and practices
If this is an important issue to you, let your potential vendors know that eco-friendly, cruelty-free products are a priority. Working with a professional team like Black Swan Beauty is a great way to ensure a seamless experience. Their on-site services reduce the need for extra travel on your big day, and their licensed artists specialize in “Natural Skin” glows and customized consultations—ensuring you look like the best version of yourself without needing excessive, heavy product applications.
Make Your Wedding Favors Fun — and Sustainable
We’ve talked about a lot of different areas of waste when it comes to weddings, but let’s be honest — many wedding favors go forgotten and tossed, but that doesn’t have to be. Let’s talk about a few ways you can delight your guests and go green at the same time!
Edible favors are a big hit with guests — and the environment
After a long afternoon or evening of celebrating, send your guests off with a snack — in eco-friendly packaging, of course! Or let them enjoy their “favor” at their table to save on packaging altogether.
Need some suggestions? How about fair-trade coffee, local treats or snack bags?
Plantable favors help the environment in a practical way
Succulents, cacti, herbs and more! These types of favors add beauty to the event and are something guests can enjoy long after the day is over. Plus, if they leave their favor, that’s more for the couple to plant and enjoy or to donate. Waste-free and beautiful!
Don’t Leave Behind Waste After Your Wedding Exit
The exit is a show-stopping moment, but the sustainable goal is to achieve the picture-perfect moment without leaving behind any trash. Fortunately, there are some amazing, eco-conscious wedding exit options.
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- Fresh leaves
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- Dried flowers
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- Herbs
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- Flower petals (from a flower petal bar)
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- Biodegradable confetti
Your Honeymoon Can Be Sustainable Too
You don’t have to stop at a sustainable wedding. You can have a sustainable honeymoon too! Remember, being environmentally friendly or eco-conscious is about making mindful decisions. Consider booking your honeymoon with a luxury eco-resort or dive deep into nature at an ecolodge. Do your research or ask your travel agent about sustainable, eco-friendly honeymoon destinations.
PRO TIPS FOR HAVING A SUSTAINABLE WEDDING
We’ve covered a lot of options for going green on your wedding day, so let’s review a couple of quick pro-tips to keep in mind as you start your sustainable wedding journey.
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- There’s a lot to remember about eco-friendly, ethically-sourced and sustainable options, but the golden rule is — wherever possible, reduce single-use items, reuse whatever you can and donate the rest.
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- It’s important to discuss all donation options for florals and food ahead of time. Don’t wait until the last minute. Make arrangements for these things in advance.
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- Rent or reuse as much as possible of anything you need for your wedding. That can include everything from flowers to decor and more!
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- Ask your wedding planner or vendors for help making sustainable wedding choices. When you make it clear that it is a priority for you as a couple, your vendors will make that their priority too! (And it’s great to have a team of experts helping you.)
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- Don’t feel guilty if every item isn’t 100% sustainable. Having a sustainable or green wedding is about being conscious of your decisions. Do the best you can — even if that’s a few small things and be happy because you made steps towards a goal.
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- Decide what is important to you and prioritize that. Don’t try to do everything. A sustainable wedding is a positive step, but it’s even more important how you live your life than how you did a single day.
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- When in doubt, go with the seasons. Working with nature’s rhythms and selecting food, as well as flowers and more, in the right season will help you to begin making sustainable choices.
It’s official, you’re an eco-friendly wedding expert! Take it slow, keep it simple, and make mindful choices. Don’t worry about making all the right decisions, just make the best you can and enjoy this special season in your life. Take the first step to find amazing local vendors who can help you plan a sustainable wedding by visiting our expert vendor page.
Photography // Kristen Bown Photography featuring florals by Florals by Fiore Design Studio
