It is no secret that weddings tend to be extremely wasteful. From thousands of dollars worth of flowers being tossed in the trash at the end of the night to the immense amount of food waste – we have to do something to make a change. Having a sustainable wedding involves making conscious choices to minimize the environmental impact of your special day.

Here are some of our top tips to an environmentally friendly wedding day:

1. Venue: Choose a venue that aligns with sustainability principles, such as a green-certified location, a botanical garden, a farm, or an outdoor space.

2. Invitations: Thanks to technology, having a virtual Save the Date, Invitation and RSVP link is an extremely easy way to eliminate extra waste. It is also typically a more cost effective option. Opt for digital invitations to reduce paper waste, or use recycled paper for printed invitations. Our favorite place to get aesthetically pleasing virtual invitations is Paperless Post. Follow the link here to see more of what they offer: https://paperlesspost.com/

3. Decor: Use locally sourced, seasonal flowers and decor, or consider renting decorations instead of buying them. At In the Details we offer a variety of decor rentals that can fit all budgets and aesthetics. You can also consider donating or gifting your florals at the end of the night. This does require some planning ahead. If you want your guests to take the flowers home, make sure they don’t take a vase that you may have rented from your florist. And if you want them donated, make sure you have someone designated to clean up all flowers and deliver them the next day.

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4. Catering: Serve locally sourced, organic, and seasonal food. Minimize food waste by accurately estimating guest numbers and donating leftovers to food banks. Some catering companies will allow you to take leftovers home. If this is the case, bring some Tupperware to the event so they can get everything packaged for you after dinner. If you want to take leftovers or donate food after your event, this requires a conversation with your caterer ahead of time.

5. Transportation: Offering transportation services for your guests not only makes their lives easier and gives them a great experience the day-of your event but it also reduces carbon emissions. A win-win in our book!

6. Attire: Choose sustainable fabrics for your wedding attire, or consider wearing a vintage or pre-owned dress/suit. When it comes to your bridesmaids and groomsmen attire, renting is going to be your best bet. Better yet, if your girls have dresses from previous weddings that they could repurpose that will not only help the environment but it will help everyones wallets. Mismatched bridesmaids dresses create a fun and laid back aesthetic that we absolutely adore!

7. Registry: Consider creating a registry for experiences or donations to charities instead of physical gifts. It is far too easy to fill your home with every new kitchen appliance and baskets of throw blankets. Put your guests money to better use by allowing them to gift you environmentally friendly items – their money doesn’t grow on trees after all!

8. Favors: Give eco-friendly and practical favors. Far too often guests leave behind the cheap trinkets which leaves you out money for no reason. Investing in an item they will love and want to take home is worth it! Or just ditch the favors all together – we aren’t judging and few will notice!

9. Waste reduction: Minimize single-use items like plastic straws, cups, and utensils. Opt for biodegradable or compostable alternatives. It is also recommended that you provide recycling and compost bins throughout the venue to properly dispose of waste.

By incorporating these ideas into your wedding planning, you can celebrate your love while also being mindful of the planet. Sometimes you are limited by your vendor choices and the ways that they decide to run their businesses. If sustainability is a top priority for you, you will likely have to do more research than the average bride to find vendors that fit your vision. But don’t loose heart – it will be so worth it in the end!

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