6 simple ways to create a more sustainable wedding
In recent years, the words sustainable and ethical have popped up more and more when it comes to weddings and we’re all for it! Suppliers have come up with innovative and simple ways to reduce waste, especially in Italy where waste management is taken really seriously. Weddings can create a huge amount of waste but they don’t need to.
It’s your wedding so feel free to ask your suppliers any questions you have. Where do they source their products? Are they doing their best to avoid plastic, non-recyclable materials and unnecessary packaging? After the wedding, what happens to leftovers and waste? Are they committing to recycling their waste?
You’ll find that most suppliers will source local produce and limit waste. Many couples ask for no plastic, including straws at the bar.
If making your day as personal and unique as possible is one of your goals, remember to look into what you already own. Find new and creative ways to repurpose what's already yours, it will be a fun thing to do as a couple and it will definitely make your day different and unique!
You will also be surprised to see how many things you can hire instead of buying! You can even hire plants for your day, the florist will come to pick them up the day after!
When it comes to the wedding dress, there are many options available. Dresses created sustainably from recycled materials or rescued deadstock fabric. Brands and designers such as Lola Varma, Reformation, Leila Hafzi, Indiebride London, and Luna Bride.
Going vintage and second-hand is a great option, especially for a unique style. Some charity shops even have bridal stores where brand new, ex-showroom dresses are donated.
Could you even repurpose a bridal dress that belonged to your family? We have seen many of our brides take their mother’s or grandmother’s dresses and give them a new, fresher life!
When it comes to fresh flowers, going local and seasonal is always best - your florist will be able to advise which flowers can be bought locally and in season.
We’re seeing natural styling and greenery trending [link to Wedding Trends Edit for 2021 article] this year. Still completely unique creations but ones that won’t die 12 hours after your wedding! Imagine a table with gorgeous potted arrangements simply replacing vases.
Another really great alternative to fresh flowers are dried flowers - think pampas grass, bunny tails and eucalyptus. These can be kept afterwards, either to spruce up your own home or given away as gifts to your guests.
You can also request that your florists use recycled/reusable materials and structures rather than things like ‘oasis’.
The golden rule with food and drink is quality over quantity. Your guests can eat and drink the local produce and have the most wonderful experience without overindulging.
With an Italian wedding, there’s often a huge menu available (amazing) but sometimes cutting one course, or skipping dessert and having the wedding cake can leave guests with more energy for your party and get to it that bit quicker!
If you’re having a dessert table or a midnight snack, why not provide guests with some takeaway boxes made of recycled and biodegradable material that guests can use to box up - breakfast in bed the next morning?!
Instead of trying to come up with something that all your guests will like (quite challenging isn’t it?!), you can convert your favours into donations. You can support the local area in which you had your wedding (especially if you are having a destination wedding).
After your epic wedding, when you find yourself with bits that you’ll never use again, why not resell on platforms like Freecycle, Sell My Wedding, and Recycle My Wedding.
THANKS TO LA LISTA MEMBERS BENNI & CAROL
Eco-friendly and nature-loving wedding photographers, committed to moving towards a more eco-friendly way of living and more ethical ways of working. They are both hugely knowledgeable on all things sustainability
Written by Lucy White, CEO of La Lista & Wiskow & White, with over 5 years and 150 weddings worth of experience.
