Celebrating Responsibly: Applying Leave No Trace Principles to Your Wedding or Elopement
Your wedding day is a celebration of love, commitment, and the start of a new chapter. Whether you're planning an extravagant ceremony or a secluded elopement, incorporating Leave No Trace principles ensures that your special day leaves a positive impact on both the environment and the communities you visit.
When celebrating your wedding or elopement outdoors, don't forget to follow Leave No Trace principles*. These are guidelines to protect and preserve the natural environment.
*Brianna Kraft Photography is a Leave No Trace certified photographer!
The 7 Leave No Trace Principles for your Wisconsin Wedding to follow when planning your wedding or elopement in an outdoor area are:
Plan ahead and prepare
Walk and set up on durable surfaces
Dispose of waste properly
Leave what you find
Minimize campfire impacts
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of others
Celebrating your wedding or elopement in harmony with nature is not only meaningful but also sets a positive example for others. Incorporating these principles ensures that your special day leaves a lasting impression for all the right reasons.
Here’s how you can celebrate responsibly while respecting nature and preserving its beauty for future generations.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare & Choose Your Location Wisely
Selecting a venue that aligns with Leave No Trace values is crucial. If you prefer a more remote setting, ensure it's a designated area for events or obtain the necessary permits to minimize your footprint.
It's a good idea to do some research ahead of time about the location you are interested in having your elopement. You can learn about any specific restrictions and guidelines that are in place to keep the location safe.
Choose floral arrangements that are native to the area or opt for potted plants that can be repurposed after the event.
2. Stay on trail and set up equipment on durable surfaces
You should always stay on trail as you are hiking to your ceremony location. Even when the trails are muddy, you should walk right through the middle of the trail, otherwise walking on the very edge of the trail to avoid muddy areas actually widens the trail and starts to damage the flora and fauna on either side of the trail. Also stay on the trail because if you step off the trail you could damage delicate eco-systems. As much as you want to, don't traipse through the lovely flowers.
In outdoor or natural areas, plan to arrange decorations and seating in a way that minimizes impact on the ground surface. Try to set tables, chairs or archways on durable surfaces, or if there are not any durable surfaces available, avoid placing heavy equipment such as tables and chairs for your ceremony. Guests may have to stand if chairs are not safe for the environment.
Durable surfaces include established trails, campsites, rocky areas, gravel, dry grasses, or snow.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly & Minimize Waste
Clean up thoroughly after your event, leaving the site as pristine as you found it, i.e. leave no trace that you were there. If you pack it in, plan to pack it out. This applies to all of your trash. Dispose of all of your trash in the proper receptacles when you pack it out.
You can reduce the environmental impact of your celebration by minimizing waste, and then you have less waste to worry about packing out. Set the tone for your eco-friendly wedding by avoiding single-use plastics. Use ceramic, glass, or metal reusable plates, glassware, and cutlery instead of disposable paper or plastic items. This is the biggest way to make an impact with your eco-friendly wedding planning as it reduces waste.
Use reusable or biodegradable decorations. Avoid releasing balloons or lanterns, and avoid using confetti, as they can harm wildlife and contribute to litter.
4. Leave What You Find
Leave the natural beauty of your chosen location intact. Resist the urge to pick wildflowers or take souvenirs such as cool rocks or sticks from the environment.
Leaving the beautiful item that you found can also allow others to enjoy it.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
Always check campfire restrictions in the area you are recreating. Sometimes there is high fire danger and certain types of campfires are not allowed. When planning to have a campfire, plan to use established fire rings, keep fires small, use only approved local wood species for burning, and make sure the fire is carefully and completely extinguished before you depart.
6. Respect Wildlife
Be mindful of local wildlife during your wedding or elopement. Avoid disturbing animals and their habitats, especially during sensitive times like nesting seasons. Never feed the animals that you spot. Try to keep your food stored safely away from animals. An easy way to respect wildlife is to stay on the trail and keep your distance from any animals that you encounter.
Check if pets are allowed to be in the area where you are hiking. Sometimes your pets can disturb wildlife.
7. Be Considerate of Others
The outdoors are for everyone, even on your wedding day. Be courteous of other people using the park or natural area while you are having your event. Avoid using amplified sound for your event and keep your voices down.
All of the above Leave No Trace principles such as packing out your trash and leaving the trail and landscape nicer than you found it are great ways to be considerate of others AND the landscape.
BONUS TIPS FOR AN ECO-FRIENDLY WEDDING OR ELOPEMENT:
8. Educate Your Guests
Share the importance of Leave No Trace principles with your guests. Include information in your invitations or create signage at your event to encourage responsible behavior. Lead by example and inspire others to cherish and protect our natural spaces.
9. Support Local Communities
Celebrate your wedding or elopement in a way that benefits local communities. Choose vendors and suppliers who prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. Consider giving back by donating to conservation efforts or supporting local businesses and artisans.
10. Capture Memories Responsibly
Document your special day with photographs and videos that highlight the beauty of your surroundings. Choose photographers who respect nature and abide by Leave No Trace principles while capturing your moments.
11. Practice Responsible Travel
If your celebration involves travel, choose eco-friendly transportation options whenever possible. Encourage guests to carpool or use public transportation. Offset your carbon footprint by supporting conservation projects or planting trees to mitigate emissions.
Find more tips for planning a sustainable and eco-friendly wedding here.
By incorporating these Leave No Trace principles for your Wisconsin wedding or elopement plans, you not only create lasting memories but also contribute to the preservation of our planet's natural wonders.
Let your love story inspire a commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship of our environment. Together, we can ensure that future generations can continue to celebrate amidst the beauty of untouched landscapes.
Need a photographer for your eco-friendly wedding or elopement?
Comments