At Paperless Wedding, as we are passionate about not only saving a tree but also helping you reduce your carbon footprint, we wanted to share some top tips on how to make your wedding a little more eco-friendly. From the moment you send your wedding invitations, you can make choices to make your wedding day eco-friendly. It may only seem like one day, but when you think about how many weddings a year in Australia there are, the impact of everyone’s wedding day will soon add up. However, with a few simple swaps, you can make the world of difference.
1.Go online and save some paper
In our digital world, when most forms of communication are online, many couples still opt for paper invites. Online invites and wedding websites are fun, informative and oh so green. Don’t buy magazines but browse fab websites like Polka Dot Bride for inspiration!
2. Something borrowed…
The recent trend for vintage (essentially ‘borrowing’ form the past) is doing wonders for the environment! Find your perfect vintage dress online in specialist ‘preloved’ shops. For suits, rent or get the groomsmen to wear their own – it can add such individuality to the day.
Image by The White Tree via Everything Old is New Again – My Recycled Polka Dot Wedding Dress
3. A venue that cares
Do they use eco cleaning products and recycle? Do they care about low food miles? Do they give to charity? Venues that care about the environment are some of the most beautiful, usually because they are inspired by their location. Here in Australia we have so many amazing outdoor venues that give us lots of options for greener weddings. Also by having your wedding in one location you reduce carbon emissions by not travelling from place to place.
4. Think seasonal and embrace ‘ugly’
Choose a caterer that cares. Do they use Fairtrade products to ensure that the food you will eat on your wedding day is helping the producers in the developing world? Do they use ‘ugly’ vegetables? You know, the knobbly carrots that some caterers throw away! There are an increasing number of caterers that are offering green alternatives.
Buy local and buy seasonal where at all possible!!
5. Aussie blooms
Some brides are opting for non-floral bouquets, often opting for bouquets made of buttons or recycled paper. For those wanting the real deal, then opt for flowers that are in season. This way, flowers can be sourced from the Australia (currently over 80% of wedding flowers are imported). This reduces the carbon footprint of your wedding.
Image by Shuttersnap Photography via Sarah and Roger’s Stylish Brisbane Wedding
6. Be meaningful
For favours, avoid novelty items that may be chuckled at once and then forgotten. Instead, go for something meaningful – provide native wildflowers so you can ‘spread the love’ of your big day. Perhaps you want to do away with gifts and ask guests to make a donation to your favourite charity instead.
Ms Chinoiserie Says: Eco friendly weddings definitely get my ‘green’ tick of approval!
About Paperless Wedding: Our digital wedding invitations are the eco friendly, unique and easy way to invite your guests to your wedding. We enable you to do all the correspondence normally sent in the post via beautifully designed email instead. Your personal wedding website enable couples to RSVP online – and they can also comment in the guest book or even share a photo.
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