The Ultimate Guide to an Eco-Friendly Wedding for Earth-Conscious Couples

Trying to plan an eco-friendly wedding? From wedding attire to the venue to entertainment—use this guide to make your wedding both green and unforgettable!

Weddings are supposed to be the most memorable and magical day of a couple’s life. Why not also make it a great day for the whole planet by making it an eco-friendly wedding? Turn your celebration of love into a chance to minimize waste and reduce your carbon footprint.

Green is in! And yet, traditional weddings are known to be terrible for the environment. In fact, Kate Harrison’s The Green Bride Guide: How to Create an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget claims that the average weddings ceremony produces on average 400 lbs of garbage!

A 2019 study discovered that nearly two in five (38.5%) consumers in the United States had gone green by purchasing eco-friendly home improvement products in the preceding twelve months. And in a PwC survey from the same period, 37% of consumers said that they purposely seek out products that use environmentally friendly packaging, while 41% of respondents avoid using single-use plastic.

More companies are producing eco-friendly products and alternatives to help consumers adopt a greener lifestyle. It’s become more important than ever to practice environmentally friendly habits. Mother Earth needs some extra love and care these days.

What Does Going Eco-Friendly Really Mean?

There are a lot of talks nowadays about having an eco-friendly wedding, but what does it really mean? Going “green” goes beyond just simple recycling or upcycling. It’s all about lessening one’s environmental impact however you can, preventing waste or damage to natural resources.

Going green usually does require a shift in one’s lifestyle. Build sustainable habits that would benefit the environment in the long run into your daily life. Choose more sustainable packaging options, and reduce your carbon footprint by opting to walk, bike, or use public transportation. Adopting these habits can make a big impact on reducing your contribution to planetary waste.

When striving to be eco-friendly, sustainability is key. This means that the habits you adopt should be things you can incorporate into your daily routine and do diligently. You can also bring these habits into the way your plan key life events, like weddings. Eco-friendly weddings are all the rage nowadays, and couples are trying to find ways to make their special days greener.

How can you green your big day? From the venue to the decorations to the dresses, there are so many elements of your wedding that can take an eco-friendly spin.

Eco-Friendly Wedding Jewelry: What’s In a Ring?

The first event that sets the ball rolling toward the wedding day is the proposal. After one partner gets down on their knee, pops the question, and receives the sweet, sweet “Yes!” from their beloved, it’s time to start planning! Buying the rings is at the top of the to-do list. If you’re aiming for an eco-friendly big day, it’s only fitting to stay consistent with the choice of wedding rings, too.

When it comes to environmentally friendly jewelry, choose jewelry that is strong, durable, and ethically sourced. A variety of jewelry makers craft rings from recycled materials and conflict-free stones. Couples can explore rings that match their individual styles and personalities, ensuring they get a pair they truly love.

Paperless Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations

One of the most thrilling things about getting invited to a wedding is receiving the actual wedding invite. Detailed, orange, and one-of-a-kind, wedding invites aren’t just something pretty to display on the mantelpiece—they’re also a physical manifestation of a couple’s care for the invitees.

However, most physical wedding invitations are also incredibly harmful to the environment. Most wedding invites, no matter how pretty, will eventually find their way into the trash, which is wasteful and counterproductive to an eco-friendly agenda. Even wedding invitations made from recyclable materials are detrimental. As such, earth-conscious couples might instead choose to give out paperless wedding invitations for their eco-friendly wedding.

You can get creative with your paperless invitations. Create your own original designs using trusty editing software, or choose from a variety of templates across the web. You might even create a website dedicated to your wedding with all the event and registry info and send guests the link. These alternatives are much easier to produce and keep track of. Plus they generate minimal waste, making them perfect for an eco-friendly wedding.

If you really want to give your guests a physical invite, plantable invitations may prove the best option. Often studded through with fruit or vegetable seeds, guests can plant these paper invites in the soil after the wedding to grow their own special reminder of the wedding day. Attendees can quite literally watch your love bloom, thanks to your efforts to keep it green.

Make The Guest List as Intimate as Possible

Intimate weddings are also in—and for good reason! Keeping the guest list small means fewer expenses, fewer people to keep tabs on, and—the best part—less waste. While it may seem tempting to invite everyone your know to your special day, an intimate guest list can keep the wedding more manageable, both for your pocketbook and the planet.

When creating your guest list, consider who you really, really want present at your wedding. Start with parents, siblings, close family members, and inner circle of friends, and try not to stray too far beyond these categories. Of course, the exact numbers of people in these categories will differ from couple to couple, so it’s important for the spouses-to-be to discuss their guest list in detail.

If you’re really having trouble winnowing down the list, consider creating a virtual segment of your wedding to include those who are not physically present. Live streaming your wedding is a great way to help others still feel included, and can make things more convenient for those who live far away.

Afarose Insider Tip: Cutting people from the wedding guest list can be a touchy topic for most couples, especially if they are part of the family. You need to approach these conversations with tact, and keep everyone well-informed.

Look For Eco-Friendly Wedding Venues or All-Inclusive Options

Choosing an eco-venue is one of the biggest steps toward planning an eco-friendly wedding and minimizing your carbon footprint. Look for ceremony and reception sites that have an expressly-stated commitment to sustainability.

Many of these eco-friendly venues sit tucked away in nature reserves, gardens, lakes, and beaches. These venues often have package deals tailor-fit for weddings, so soon-to-weds can browse through the offers and choose the one they like the best. Since these venues are typically steeped in nature, they will lend themselves perfectly to your romantic plans automatically!

To further streamline your carbon footprint, you might also consider planning your ceremony and reception in the same location. This cuts down on the amount of commuting between locations—and less commuting means fewer emissions.

Afarose Insider Tip: Not sure where to start when searching for an eco-friendly venue? Start with the Green Building information gateway, a database of buildings built with sustainability and the environment in mind.

Dresses Don’t Need To Be Expensive

When it comes to weddings, everyone wants to dress to impress—especially the bride and groom. However, your bridal outfits don’t need to be over the top expensive to make a splash. Eco-friendly brides and grooms turn to a number of options when it comes to finding the perfect wedding attire. And shopping for something environmentally-friendly has never been easier.

An eco-friendly wedding dress doesn't mean you have to pay more. Custom-made dresses in custom sizing helps to save the environment by cutting down on wasting fabric, etc.

Save the environment and spare your budget simultaneously by shopping for your wedding dress with a fully-online bridal boutique that cares about the environment.

At Afarose, every bridal party dress and wedding dress is custom-made to order, cutting fabric waste by repurposing scraps into other fresh styles. Not to mention, by operating online, they are able to cut back on excessive electrical and commercial space which significantly reduces waste, minimizing their carbon footprint.

Now that’s environmental peace of mind!

Repurposed Materials for Decorations

The decor will make or break any wedding. They are what signal your theme to guests and guide the ambiance of the ceremony and reception, and as such, you should put a great deal of thought into them. At the same time, however, the one-use shelf life of a lot of decorations means that this can often end up one of the most wasteful parts of the day. Couples seeking eco-friendly elements for their wedding should consider prioritizing decorations they can reuse or recycle or rent out. Many vendors offer rental services, another great way to avoid adding more waste to the wedding.

For example, try searching for wedding decor and furniture in vintage shops. The treasures tucked away here will make perfect accents for your ornate wedding, especially if you are leaning into a vintage or classically romantic theme. Not to mention you now have the perfect new furniture for your home after the wedding!

Speaking of DIY, you might consider simply making your decor yourself! Plenty of craft supply shops have eco-friendly options; why not make a bridal party activity of it? This strategy works especially well for the couple planning a boho-chic wedding since the elements involved might benefit from a naturalistic, rough-around-the-edges aesthetic. For example, a boho beachside wedding might feature some bleached driftwood centerpieces studded through with bouquets—something you can easily make yourself.

Lighting can make or break your whole night’s ambiance. Many options, like the popular fairy lights, also drain energy. Consider alternative sources like candles or solar lamps to maintain a romantic vibe while staying eco-friendly. Prioritize LED lights over other options to ensure that lights are energy-efficient, also.

Use Local In-Season Flowers

No wedding is complete without floral arrangements! However, if you don’t shop smart, your extravagant bouquets could end up a detriment to the environment. Fresh-cut flowers are not always the most eco-friendly option! Depending on where they’re from and their hardiness, these blooms may just contribute to your waste. This doesn’t mean you have to forgo greenery altogether! Shop strategically when it comes to your floral arrangements to save on environmental impact.

For example, instead of cut bouquets, consider potted plant arrangements for decor and centerpieces. Potted plants keep roots intact, making them easier to replant and grow after the wedding. Orchids or spray roses are just two examples of beautiful flowers that come in pots—and they come in a variety of colors to fit most themes! Consider herbs, small trees, or succulents and cacti, depending on the theme and location. You can save these plants for your garden home later, or give them away as wedding favors.

If you do choose to use cut flowers, consider the location. Shop local as much as possible. This helps support local small business florists in your venue’s area, and it also curtails transportation costs. The less driving involved in your big day, the better! Depending on where you choose to hold your wedding, the venue may also come filled with its own natural greenery, which you should use to your advantage.

Find a Sustainably-Focused Catering Service

An average wedding produces roughly 400 lbs of garbage, according to Kate Harrison’s book, The Green Bride Guide.

A hefty chunk of this manifests as food waste. In fact, one UK study found that a staggering 10% of wedding food is tossed right after the celebration ends! Considered alongside single-use plastic cutlery and transportation emissions, wedding food can turn into an ecological disaster.

When it comes to pulling off an eco-friendly wedding, look for catering options that focus on sustainability. Look for local caterers, who also prioritize local and seasonal produce. If you’re planning a destination wedding, this is a great opportunity to lean into the flavors of your location! Sustainable cutlery and plating options are another measure that may seem small but can make a big difference. Some vendors may also offer to donate your wedding leftovers as a charitable donation service. This could also be something you can consider when you are searching for eco-friendly wedding vendors.

What About Eco-Friendly Wedding Entertainment?

You can’t have a wedding reception without any entertainment! While the exact direction you take will depend on your personal taste and location, consider how you can lean into a sustainable theme with your activities and vendors.

For example, if your venue has an open green space, why not host “garden games” with your wedding party? Lawn games like checkers, ring toss, and croquet can keep guests entertained throughout the reception without creating a mess.

When it comes to the music, consider an acoustic live act. DJs and bands that require an extensive setup can drain both electricity and your pocketbook. Instead, look for an acoustic ensemble act to fill the space with a one-of-a-kind performance.

When it comes to photography, it’s hard to go green explicitly. However, you can seek out photographers and videographers who share your general green-first ethos, just to go the extra mile. Photo booths, which are always a hit at parties, can also take a green turn. Instead of burning through paper and ink all night, find a photo booth for rent that can send digital copies of photos straight to guests’ devices!

Plan a Green Honeymoon

Why stop the green activities on the wedding day? Plan a green honeymoon to keep reducing your carbon footprint after the big day.

While it may seem a bit vague at first, planning a green honeymoon is not as difficult as one may think. Focus your search on locations and resorts that have an expressed commitment to sustainability. Eco-resorts that focus on ecotourist activities and green planning are particularly popular options. Countries like Costa Rica, which takes pride in its green tradition, are popular locations for couples looking to enjoy the bounty of nature on their eco-friendly vacation.

As another alternative, you might also consider a destination wedding. While—when not planned correctly—destination weddings can quickly spin out of control, sound and economical plans can actually help you reduce your footprint. For example, if your whole wedding party has to travel anyway, you may as well make it a getaway and combine the wedding and honeymoon in one. Destination weddings also usually require a smaller wedding party, and a smaller wedding party means less travel.

Whether it’s for a honeymoon or a combined destination wedding, seek out locales that emphasize their commitment to the environment.

Finding an eco-friendly wedding destination doesn’t have to be a headscratcher! Check out vacation spots in countries with a commitment to sustainability, like Costa Rica. Many rainforest-heavy countries take pride in preserving their environment, and you’ll be able to explore the riches of the natural world. Or, if you’re looking to refine your search for a resort vacation, seek out resorts that actively aim to become a part of their natural surroundings, like the Hotel Hangaroa Eco-Village on Easter Island.

You can plan an exotic adventure while also keeping to your green commitment!

Aim For Sustainability, Not Perfection!

Many people suffer from the misconception that sustainability involves sacrifice and a hefty price tag. Going green isn’t as costly as you would think, though!

Smaller, consistent eco-friendly habits have a bigger impact than one grand action in the long run. Once you set the intention to start living green, you’ll find you naturally find places throughout your life where you can curb your carbon footprint further—like your wedding!

An eco-friendly wedding is within reach with a bit of planning and conscious decision-making. From the venue to the decor, to the attire, mother-of-the-bride, and beyond, there are all sorts of opportunities to green your wedding.

Shop With Eco-Friendly Wedding Vendor, Afarose

Shopping eco-friendly wedding vendors like Afarose is the perfect first step.

Wedding dresses don’t need a hefty price tag to wow the crowd. Afarose offers sustainable options for bridal, bridesmaid, and mother-of-the-bride gowns that you can try on from the comfort of your own home!

Founded in 2019, SoCal-based eCommerce bridal boutique Afarose offers custom-made gowns for everyone in the bridal wedding party. The entirely online operation saves on overhead as well, meaning that you get stunning bespoke pieces for much less than in a brick-and-mortar shop!

Take advantage of try-at-home options and virtual consultations to get that perfect fit—and check out the newly launched virtual showroom to enhance the experience even further!

When planning your eco-friendly wedding, choose Afarose for your wedding attire, and other green tips and tricks. Your dream wedding is only a few clicks away!