Did you know that the U.S. wedding market is responsible for releasing more than 63 tons of CO2 into the air each year? According to Zola, one wedding alone is responsible for 400 pounds of waste on average. 

Why does the wedding industry get such a bad reputation for being wasteful? Many of the wedding day details and decor are single-use items that are tossed away after the celebration ends. 

The good news is that Eco-friendly weddings are on the rise as more and more couples become mindful of the impact their wedding day has on the world around them. Even better, going green on your wedding day can even save you greens! Many sustainable wedding practices are cheaper than their wasteful alternatives. 

Read on to see how you can help save the planet (and your wallet!) on your wedding day: 

 

Select the right wedding venue: 

Working with the right wedding vendors is the key to sustainability. The best place to start is with the biggest vendor of all: your wedding venue. Choosing a site that already has eco-friendly practices built in, such as energy alternatives and sustainable waste removal procedures, helps take the work off of you and your spouse. 

To get a good idea of their commitment to energy alternatives, ask about your potential venue’s Energy Star ratings and LEED certifications. You should also as about the waste removal practices and find out if there is composting onsite. 

Consider venues that have both ceremony and reception capabilities onsite so you can host your celebration in one place and reduce your carbon footprint. You should also look to hosting your ceremony and/or reception outside to cut down on electricity usage. Venue sites such as farms, campgrounds, and gardens make great outdoor spaces for sustainable weddings. 

Go paperless: 

You don’t have to throw out the traditional mail invite altogether, but look for other ways to reduce paper usage throughout your wedding planning process. Digital save the dates are a great way to cut down on paper usage (and postage costs). 

Ask your venue and vendors to help you cut down on your paper usage with digital vendor packets and contracts. Set up a Google Drive that houses all your wedding information and details so you and your spouse can easily access what you need online. 

Lastly, be sure to create a wedding website to communicate wedding details to your guests. This is a great way to keep details online and limit paper usage. 

Embrace candlelight: 

One simple and romantic way to cut down on electricity usage is to use candlelight for lighting at your ceremony and reception. This will create a dreamy ambiance, help keep bugs away, and keep your celebrations vibey. Also, you’ll get some great wedding photos using this lighting technique! Check out awesome options at Public Goods for ideas.

Arrange transportation

Cut carbon emissions by limiting the number of vehicles at your wedding. You can book a shuttle, trolley, limo, or other transportation alternative to travel back and forth between the main wedding hotel (or similar meeting place) and celebration site. This added touch also helps elevate the event experience for your guests, as they’ll no longer have to worry about arranging their own rides and they can enjoy their time at the open bar. 

Feature seasonal flowers: 

Consider the environmental impact of your wedding flowers when you’re shopping around for a florist. Research seasonal blooms in your area and ask florists about where they purchase their blooms from. If they do purchase seasonal flowers from nearby nurseries and gardens, this will help limit your carbon emissions as flowers won’t have to be transported across the region or country in order to make it into your wedding bouquet! 

Another great way to host sustainable florals is to ditch the huge floral centerpieces in favor of potted plants that will live on long past your wedding day. Also remember that if you’re tossing petals during your wedding exit, remember that dried petals are a more eco-friendly alternative. 

Rent or buy used fashion and decor: 

Remember that not everything needs to be brand new on your wedding day. Even some of your wedding fashion can be upcycled. If you have your heart set on a new wedding dress, opt for a vintage veil and antique jewelry. For tuxedos and suits, always opt to rent rather than buy brand new if you can–you and your groomsmen will look just as good! 

There are tons of decor rental companies that will help you design the wedding of your dreams with used items such as candlesticks, vases, and furniture. Take advantage of the rentals to limit single-use waste (and save money!) 

You can discover even more eco-friendly wedding ideas with Zola’s visual below!

Please include attribution to Zola.com with this graphic.