Weddings are a beautiful celebration of love and commitment, but they can also significantly impact the environment. From transportation to decorations, weddings can create a lot of waste and contribute to carbon emissions. However, it’s possible to plan sustainable weddings without sacrificing the beauty and elegance of the occasion. In this article, we’ll explore 20 ways you can make a difference and have a more sustainable wedding.

1. Choose a sustainable venue: Look for a wedding venue that is committed to sustainable practices. Some venues use renewable energy, compost their waste, or support local farmers.
2. Opt for a vegan or vegetarian menu: Meat production is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Choosing a plant-based menu can reduce your wedding’s carbon footprint.
3. Use locally sourced flowers: Instead of shipping flowers from overseas, choose locally sourced blooms that support your community.
4. Rent wedding attire: Renting wedding attire can reduce waste and save money.
5. Choose a sustainable bridal gown: Look for a wedding dress made from sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo, or hemp. Like this one from Leanne Marshall who uses natural, sustainable textiles for their gowns, with 95% silk being the typical composition. Lace, if used, is sourced from deadstock. All raw materials are from reputable mills that meet environmental and working standards.

6. Choose eco-friendly wedding invitations: Use recycled paper or e-invitations to reduce waste.
7. Use sustainable wedding decorations: Choose decorations made from natural or recycled materials.
8. Reduce transportation emissions: Encourage guests to carpool or use public transportation to reduce transportation emissions.
9. Serve drinks in glassware: Avoid using plastic cups and plates by using glassware that can be reused or recycled.
10. Choose a sustainable wedding cake: Choose a wedding cake made with sustainable ingredients such as organic flour and local honey.

11. Use sustainable lighting: Use LED lights or candles instead of traditional lighting to reduce energy consumption.
12. Donate leftover food: Donate leftover food to a local food bank or shelter.
13. Use eco-friendly confetti: Use biodegradable confetti or flower petals instead of traditional confetti.
14. Choose a sustainable wedding favor: Give guests a sustainable wedding favor such as a reusable water bottle or tote bag.
15. Use vintage or rented tableware: Rent or use vintage tableware instead of disposable plates and cutlery.

16. Consider a zero-waste wedding: Plan a wedding that produces zero waste by using reusable items and avoiding disposable products.
17. Use sustainable transportation: Choose a transportation option that produces low emissions, such as electric or hybrid vehicles.
18. Choose a sustainable honeymoon destination: Consider a sustainable honeymoon destination that supports local communities and protects the environment.
19. Choose sustainable accommodations: Stay in a sustainable hotel or eco-lodge that uses renewable energy and practices sustainability.
20. Support sustainable vendors: Choose vendors who prioritize sustainability, such as caterers who use organic ingredients or photographers who use eco-friendly equipment.

Sustainable Wedding Dresses and Florals

Pre-Loved Wedding Dresses

Pre-loved wedding dresses refer to previously worn wedding dresses that are resold or donated for another bride to wear. Sustainability-wise, pre-loved wedding dresses are a great option as they reduce waste by giving a second life to a dress that would otherwise end up in a landfill. By purchasing a pre-loved dress, you can reduce your environmental impact and save money. For pre-loved wedding dresses there are stores like Still White, an online marketplace for pre-loved wedding dresses. 

Dresses for Hire 

Dresses for hire are formal dresses that can be rented for a specific event, such as a wedding. Sustainability-wise, dresses for hire are a good option as they reduce the need for people to buy new dresses for every event, reducing the amount of waste and resources used in clothing production. By renting a dress, you can also save money and avoid contributing to the fast fashion industry. Dresses for Hire Australia is a company that provides a range of formal dresses for rent, including bridesmaid dresses, mother-of-the-bride dresses, and cocktail dresses. 

Sustainable Designers

Sustainable designers are fashion designers who prioritize environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices in their production processes. Sustainability-wise, choosing to support sustainable designers can help promote ethical and sustainable fashion practices, reducing the negative impact of the fashion industry on the environment and society. 

• Celia Grace – Celia Grace is a fair trade and eco-friendly wedding dress designer that creates dresses using sustainable materials such as organic cotton and silk. The company also provides fair wages and safe working conditions for its workers, ensuring that the entire production process is sustainable and ethical.
• Leanne Marshall – Leanne Marshall is a designer who creates beautiful and sustainable wedding dresses using eco-friendly materials such as silk and organic cotton. The brand also uses ethical and sustainable production methods, such as minimizing waste and reducing carbon emissions.
• Sanyukta Shrestha – Sanyukta Shrestha is a sustainable wedding dress designer based in the UK. Her dresses are made using eco-friendly materials such as bamboo and organic cotton, and the brand also uses sustainable production methods such as zero-waste pattern cutting.
• Christy Dawn – Christy Dawn is a sustainable fashion brand that offers a range of wedding dresses made from upcycled fabrics and deadstock materials. The company also uses ethical production methods and ensures that its workers are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions.

• Tara Lynn Bridal – Tara Lynn Bridal is a sustainable wedding dress designer that creates dresses using eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, silk, and hemp. The company also uses sustainable production methods and ensures that its workers are paid fair wages.
• Maggie Marilyn – Maggie Marilyn is a New Zealand-based designer who creates sustainable and ethically-made wedding dresses using eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton and silk. The brand also uses sustainable production methods such as reducing waste and water usage.
• Lenka Couture – Lenka Couture is an Australian designer who creates sustainable wedding dresses using eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, organic cotton, and hemp. The brand also uses ethical and sustainable production methods and ensures that its workers are paid fair wages.
• Clara White Bridal – Clara White Bridal is an Australian designer who creates sustainable and ethical wedding dresses using eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton and silk. The brand also uses sustainable production methods such as reducing waste and water usage.

Silk Florals

Silk florals are artificial flowers made from silk fabric, which can be used as an alternative to fresh florals in weddings and events. Sustainability-wise, silk florals are a good option as they reduce the environmental impact of cut flowers, which can be resource-intensive and have a short lifespan. Silk florals can also be reused for future events, reducing the need to buy new flowers each time. 

• Johne Emmanuel: John Emmanuel is an Australian florist with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He offers silk floral arrangements that are handcrafted to look realistic and can be customized to suit different styles and themes.
• Floralistic:  Floralistic is an Australian floral design studio that specializes in creating stunning silk floral arrangements for weddings and events. Floralistic also offers a range of rental options, which can help to further reduce the environmental impact of events.
• Secret Blooms: Secret Blooms is an Australian-based company that creates beautiful silk floral arrangements for weddings and events. What sets Secret Blooms apart is their focus on custom design. They work closely with each client to create arrangements that are tailored to their specific style and vision, using high-quality silk materials to achieve a realistic and stunning look.

Planning a sustainable wedding doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. By choosing sustainable practices and vendors, you can make a difference and reduce your wedding’s impact on the environment. These 20 tips are just the beginning of what you can do to create a beautiful, sustainable wedding that reflects your values and celebrates your love.

READ MORE: Top 12 Eco Wedding Trends for 2023