Sustainable Wedding Planning

Your wedding day is meant to be the happiest day of your life! It's the start of a new beginning and the end of excessive planning and preparation for the day itself. 

If you are about to enter a wedding planning season, are already knee-deep in the planning, or love daydreaming about your magical day, these tips are for you. As beautifully detailed works of art, weddings are crafted to be enjoyed; however, they are usually full of waste. 

WEDU PBS wants to provide you with some tips to help you plan a more eco-friendly wedding. These tips below are intended to help you enjoy this season more, not add extra stress. 

Choose eco-friendly invitations and save the dates.

When you create your invites, announcements, or save the dates, find a vendor that provides recycled paper or alternative materials such as upcycled fabrics, leather, wood, or seed paper. 

Find a sustainable venue.

Find an outdoor venue or a venue site that takes sustainability seriously. Look for ceremony and reception locations with Energy Star Ratings or a low carbon footprint. Outdoor venues are also a great alternative and allow you to take in the beauty of nature.

Donate wedding decor and supplies.

After you finish using your decorations and supplies for your wedding, donate them to organizations and venues, or give them to family members or friends. Don't let your decorations go to waste or get in the trash. Try upcycling them or finding another use for them after the wedding. Wedding decorations can look great in the home and help you remember the big day every time you look at them.

Make your menu sustainable.

Reduce food waste by looking for caterers that focus on local, sustainable, or seasonal cuisines. Avoid food waste with leftovers by donating them to a food bank or homeless shelter after the wedding. You can even let your guests take home some of the extra food. 

Honeymoon planning

As you plan your honeymoon, consider ways to support local initiatives. Visit a local animal sanctuary or dine at restaurants that source their food responsibly and sustainably. Take hikes and experience the beautiful outdoors and new scenery of your fun honeymoon. 

You might enjoy your wedding even more, knowing that you are doing your part to be a good steward of your environment. Try implementing some sustainable practices as you plan your big day. 

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