4 Ideas for an Efficient Green Wedding

Your wedding will be one of the most important and exciting days of your life, but it could also be expensive, stressful, or even burdensome to plan. Not only do you have to coordinate all the logistics and meet your needs and wants at the same time, you’ll pay out the nose for even the most basic amenities.

However, if you opt to “go green” with your wedding, you’ll be able to save some money, you’ll end up with more unique ideas and aesthetics for your celebration, and you’ll have less impact on the environment.

Green Wedding Tips for Brides and Grooms

Going green at your wedding isn’t as challenging as you may think. With just a few simple tweaks and clever applications, you can ensure your wedding is one that everyone will remember for years to come.

1. Use Recycled Paper for Invitations

If you’re having a large wedding, you’re probably sending out a lot of mail. From engagement announcements to save-the-dates, you could end up sending out thousands of pieces of mail. That’s a lot of wasted paper!

Instead of relying on traditional paper invitations, opt for one of the many environmentally-friendly alternatives. This could include invitations made from tree-free papers like cotton, bamboo, linen, or hemp. There are also options for post-consumer and recycled waste paper. Some printers will even give you the choice of plant-based inks, such as soy.

Finally, forget about the envelope for the RSVP card. Instead, opt for a postcard or ask guests to send an email or text to the wedding planner. This can cut back on a lot of superfluous paper waste.

2. Opt for Local Vendors

When it comes to selecting vendors for your wedding – such as a florist, catering company, and band – it’s always better to go with local options. This cuts down on travel and ensures you’re pouring back into the local economy.

For example, let’s say you’re having your wedding in Austin, Texas. The Grooves are a top band, STEMS is a top florist, and Royal Fig is consistently ranked as one of the top catering companies. All it took was a quick Google search and few minutes of research to find these. You can find local vendors in your city, too.

3. Choose a Natural Environment

Location is obviously important. While outdoor weddings are inherently risky, they are also much more eco-friendly. If you can find an outdoor spot, consider the time of year and weather patterns, and make it happen. Something as simple as a friend’s beautiful backyard could work.

In terms of throwing a green wedding, the best piece of advice is to keep the ceremony and reception in the same location. This cuts down on unnecessary commuting and ensures everyone is safe and happy.

4. Use Upcycled Decorations

Wedding decorating is usually the most fun aspect of the wedding planning process for the bride. But who says you have to go out and purchase or rent a bunch of traditional accessories? Here are a handful of cute ideas that you can use to piece together a wedding that fits your style.

Throw a Green Wedding

White may be the color of choice at your wedding, but don’t forget about going green. Your wedding day will be one of the single most important days of your life and it’s important that you do everything possible to make it enjoyable for everyone involved.

By going green, you can not only save money, but you’ll also rest easy at night knowing you successfully minimized your impact on the environment. That’s what we like to call a win-win situation.