So your partner has proposed and picked an elegant and beautiful lab created diamond as your engagement ring? You now want to make the rest of your wedding be as environmentally friendly as your engagement ring but have no idea where to start? There are many ways to make your wedding more environmentally friendly.
Here are a few ideas:
- Choose a sustainable venue. First, you’ll want to consider the venue’s location. If it’s located in a natural area, that’s a good sign. Look for a venue that is committed to environmental sustainability. This could include a venue that uses renewable energy, recycles, and composts.Does the venue have a green cleaning program? Does the venue source its food locally? Does the venue use sustainable materials in its construction and furnishings? Does the venue have a water conservation program? Does the venue have a waste reduction program? Does the venue have an environmental policy?
- Choose sustainable vendors. When hiring vendors for your wedding, choose those who are committed to environmental sustainability. Florists for example do they source their flowers locally? Do they use sustainable growing practices? Do they donate to environmental causes? Are their flowers that are grown without pesticides or herbicides, or flowers that are locally grown and delivered in recycled or reusable containers. Your caterer asks them Do they source their food locally? Do they use sustainable ingredients? Look for a caterer who uses eco-friendly materials. This could include dishes, utensils, and tableware that are made from recycled or compostable materials.
- Choose a caterer who is committed to reducing waste. This could include composting food waste, recycling paper and plastic, and donating leftover food to local charities. Finally your photographer Do they use sustainable materials, such as recycled paper and ink, in their marketing materials? Do they travel to your wedding location by car or public transportation instead of flying? Do they donate a portion of their profits to environmental causes? Look for a photographer who uses eco-friendly practices. This could include using digital cameras instead of film cameras, which produce hazardous waste; using rechargeable batteries instead of disposable batteries; and recycling or composting all of their waste.
- Use eco-friendly products. When choosing products for your wedding, choose those that are made from sustainable materials. This could include paper products, flowers, and decorations.
- Reduce waste. There are many ways to reduce waste at your wedding. This could include using reusable plates and utensils, composting food waste, and recycling paper and plastic.
- Offset your carbon footprint. You can offset your carbon footprint by donating to an environmental organisation or planting trees. Encourage guests to carpool or take public transportation. If your wedding is in a city, encourage guests to take public transportation or carpool. This will help to reduce the number of cars on the road and the amount of pollution emitted.
- Offer shuttle service to and from the wedding venue. If your wedding is in a rural area, you may want to offer shuttle service to and from the wedding venue. This will help to reduce the number of cars on the road and the amount of pollution emitted.
By making these small changes, you can make your wedding more environmentally friendly and help to protect the planet.