Weddings are magical, but let’s be honest – they can also generate a lot of waste. From single-use décor to carbon-heavy travel, the environmental impact of a wedding can quickly add up and with an estimated 278,599 weddings each year in the UK alone and each one emitting on average 14.5 tonnes of C02 (the equivalent of powering 9.4 average households per year) the total impact on our planet is huge!
But don’t worry – having an eco-friendly wedding doesn’t mean sacrificing style or fun. In fact, a sustainable wedding can be just as beautiful, meaningful, and memorable while being kinder to the planet. So, if you’re looking to make your big day a little greener, here are 11 ways to have a sustainable wedding – from conscious choices in stationery to ethical fashion and zero-waste décor.
Sustainable Wedding Planning: Where to Start
The key to a sustainable wedding is mindful planning. Start by thinking about the aspects that matter most to you – whether that’s reducing waste, sourcing ethical products, or minimising your carbon footprint. Even small changes can make a big difference!
1. Choose a Sustainable Wedding Venue
The venue is one of the biggest wedding decisions and it plays a major role in your sustainability efforts. Look for venues that:
✅ Use renewable energy sources
✅ Offer locally sourced catering
✅ Have sustainable waste management (e.g. composting, recycling)
✅ Minimise travel emissions (e.g. close to most guests)
Bonus Tip: Consider outdoor venues or eco-conscious hotels that prioritise green initiatives.
2. Keep It Local
From flowers to food, sourcing locally reduces emissions and supports small businesses. Try to:
• Choose UK-based suppliers (or those local to your wedding if you aren't getting married in the UK)
• Opt for seasonal flowers instead of imported ones
• Hire local caterers who use regional ingredients
3. Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations & Stationery
Traditional wedding invitations can lead to paper waste, but that doesn’t mean you have to go digital! Instead, opt for:
🌿 Recycled or FSC-certified paper
🌿 Plantable seed paper that grows into flowers
🌿 Minimalist designs to reduce ink waste
4. Say ‘Yes’ to a Sustainable Wedding Dress
Your wedding dress is a dream purchase, but fast fashion and synthetic fabrics have a huge environmental impact. Why not consider:
👗 Vintage or second-hand dresses – timeless, stylish, and sustainable
👗 Sustainable designers using organic or upcycled fabrics
👗 Dress rental services – perfect for eco-conscious brides
5. Ditch Single-Use Wedding Décor
Many wedding decorations are used for just a few hours before being thrown away. Instead you could consider:
✨ Renting tableware, linens, and furniture
✨ Using dried flowers (they last forever!)
✨ Choosing potted plants instead of cut flowers
✨ Hiring decor items such as stands, and non-personalised signage
Bonus Tip: Skip the plastic confetti and opt for biodegradable confetti, dried petals, or bubbles instead!
6. Make your Wedding Flowers Eco-Friendly
It can be easy to waste flowers and whilst fresh flowers are beautiful, did you know many are imported and covered in pesticides? Instead, why not try:
💐 Opting for flower displays that can be moved and used more than once on your wedding day (for example a display from your ceremony mantle that can double up as a the top table floral decor)
💐 Choosing seasonal British flowers (or locally sourced if you're not having a UK wedding)
💐 Finding a florist who uses florals with minimal chemicals or organic flowers
💐 Donating flowers after the wedding to hospitals or care homes
7. Sustainable Wedding Favours
Let’s be real – most wedding favours get left behind or thrown away. Give your guests something useful, edible, or plant-based, such as:
🎁 Mini jars of local honey or jam
🎁 Seed packets for guests to plant at home
🎁 A donation to a charity in their name
8. Opt for Ethical Wedding Rings
Gold and diamonds often come with environmental and ethical concerns. Choose:
💍 Vintage or second-hand rings
💍 Lab-grown diamonds (same sparkle, zero mining!)
💍 Ethical jewellers who use recycled metals
9. Concious Catering Options
Help to reduce food and plastic waste with these eco-concious options:
🍴Choose local and organic ingredients
🍴 Offer vegetarian or vegan options (or a full plant-based menu!)
🍴 Work with caterers who donate leftovers to food banks
🍷 Opt for Organic wines and local spirits
🍷 Have a refillable drinks stations instead of single-use bottles
🍷 Choose plastic-free glassware
10. Rent or Borrow Instead of Buying
Reduce waste (and save money) by hiring or borrowing items like:
✔ Table décor and candle holders
✔ Non-personalised wedding signage
✔ Bridesmaid dresses
✔ Bridal accessories such as your veil or bag
11. Be Smart with Your Wedding Gifts
Instead of a traditional gift registry, consider:
🎁 A charity donation registry
🎁 A honeymoon fund
🎁 Asking for experiences instead of physical gifts
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Having a sustainable wedding doesn’t mean compromising on style or celebration but it can be overwhelming if you feel like you must incorporate sustainability into every element of your day. With just a few mindful choices, you can reduce the impact of your wedding on the planet considerably whilst also creating a wedding that’s beautiful and memorable.
We're all about beautiful AND sustainable wedding stationery, with almost our entire range of products being made from recycled or recyclable materials, plus we plant one tree for every order we receive! So, if you need a helping hand making sure your stationery is sustainable, please don't hesitate to get in touch.