Weddings cause a surprising amount of waste and CO2 emissions. And, as more and more people consider the effect, many couples are starting to plan greener weddings. Lucille, jewellery expert at ethical jewellery brand Sacet shares eight actionable tips for a more sustainable wedding...
Use conflict-free rings and jewellery
Consider the ethics of your wedding rings and any other jewellery you may wear on the day. Diamond mining has a devastating impact on the environment and communities. So, choosing conflict-free, lab-grown diamonds, particularly diamonds created using Chemical Vapour Deposition or CVD - a method which requires lower temperatures than the first successful High Pressure, High-Temperature process, which requires a great deal of energy, and recycled metals is the way forward, particularly when it comes to the star of the show, your engagement ring.
Use sustainable and organic catering options
Finding a catering company that can provide local, Fairtrade, and ethically produced ingredients will be a big step toward a sustainable wedding. If you can create an entirely vegan or vegetarian menu too, this will also reduce the environmental impact. Look into sourcing your alcohol locally or regionally. Local food and drink will not only help to reduce your carbon footprint as there won't be as much mileage, but it'll also help smaller farms to thrive. If your catering company plans to provide the cutlery, ensure their products are reusable, recyclable and biodegradable. Around £488 of food is wasted every wedding, so ask your caterers about their food wastage policy.
Opt for low-impact flowers
Buy flowers locally to keep your wedding's carbon footprint low. When looking for a florist, look out for those who don't use floral foam or plastic in any of their work. All florists who claim their products are sustainable should have the stamp of approval from organisations such as LEAF, the Soil Association and the Rainforest Alliance. Alternatively, if you're a keen gardener, you could also try growing your own flowers for the wedding. This will undoubtedly make all the bouquets and floral decorations feel more meaningful.
Include natural materials in your decor
Going green doesn't mean you have to compromise on the decor or the overall aesthetic of your wedding. You can utilise many alternatives and clever techniques to remain sustainable without forgoing the decor. However, balloons and sky lanterns, which are harmful to the environment and the local wildlife, are best left out entirely. Instead, focus on recyclable or reusable items such as glassware, bunting, ribbons, books and vintage decor. Since hiring most of your decor is possible, you can be confident knowing that the items you choose will be reused.
Have a wedding recycling plan in place
With the shocking amount of wastage often generated by a wedding, it's essential to ensure you have a wedding recycling plan to help reduce this. Speak to your venue to arrange areas where guests can recycle during the event. And remember to ask your catering company what their food waste policy is and whether uncooked and imperishable food can be donated to food banks. You may also want to think about having a detailed plan for what you're going to do with anything leftover at the end of the day. So, when buying your decor, flowers and table items, choose things that can either be recyclable or, if you want to keep them, make a plan to reuse or repurpose them, like preserving and drying flowers.
Consider a sustainable wedding dress
Choosing a sustainable wedding dress is a great way to reduce the environmental impact of your wedding. Look for dresses made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, bamboo, or vintage fabrics, and research designers who use ethical and sustainable practices. Renting a dress is also a sustainable option that can save you money and reduce waste, and buying a second-hand dress keeps clothing out of landfills and reduces the demand for new dresses.
Use energy-efficient lighting
Using sustainable lighting options is an easy way to reduce the environmental impact of your wedding. Solar-powered lighting is an excellent option for outdoor weddings as it doesn't require electricity and relies on renewable energy. Solar-powered lights, including string, pathway lights, and lanterns, can add a magical touch to your outdoor wedding. LED lights are a more sustainable option for indoor weddings than traditional ones. LED lights use up to 80% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than conventional lights. They come in various styles, including bulbs, strips, and chandeliers, and can create a romantic and intimate atmosphere for your indoor wedding.
Encourage guests to use sustainable transportation
Encouraging guests to share cars, take public transportation, or bike to the wedding can significantly reduce the emissions produced by transport. Carpooling is an excellent option for guests who live near each other, and for guests who live close to the venue, biking or public transportation is also a sustainable choice.
Sacet is a creator of beautiful, affordable and, most importantly, ethical jewellery with talented artisans bringing generations of experience to the realisation of lab-grown diamond jewellery. Be it a stunning ring, an elegant necklace or beautiful earrings, the company's jewellery-making workshop uses exclusively lab-grown diamonds. Sacet is now on a quest to become the first producer of a 100% carbon-neutral jewellery-making workshop. The workshop's energy is fully supplied by solar panels, and the brand is currently looking into more ways to offset their impact on the planet.
