Planning your dream wedding is an exciting journey, and for outdoorsy couples like you, embracing sustainability and eco-friendliness can create a wedding day that not only reflects your love but also your commitment to the planet.
Planning a sustainable or eco-friendly wedding doesn't mean sacrificing style or elegance; it means making conscious choices that leave a positive impact. Let's embark on this journey together and explore how you can plan a celebration that's both memorable and environmentally conscious.
The bride above re-purposed her mother's wedding dress and had it altered to fit her and added new touches to make the dress more modern.
How to Plan a Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Wedding or Elopement in Wisconsin
These 10 Steps will help you make your wedding or elopement more sustainable:
Step 1: Choose a Green Venue
Selecting the right venue is crucial when planning a sustainable wedding. Opt for outdoor locations like gardens, vineyards, or forests that provide a natural backdrop and reduce the need for excessive decorations. Outdoor venues minimize energy consumption and offer stunning views, enhancing your wedding experience while reducing your carbon footprint.
You could get married in some amazing places like National Parks, state parks, local parks, or even your own land.
Inspiration for outdoor wedding or elopement locations: Ultimate Guide to the Best Places to Elope in Wisconsin
Step 2: Avoid Single-Use Plastics
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.
Step 3: Leave No Trace
When celebrating your wedding or elopement outdoors, don't forget to follow Leave No Trace principles.
The 7 Leave No Trace Principles 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
*Brianna Kraft Photography is a Leave No Trace certified photographer!
Eloping or having a wedding with fewer guests can be the most sustainable option.
Step 4: Sustainable Decor
Try avoiding the purchasing of new decorations and consider renting or borrowing decor items to minimize waste or opt for reusable or recyclable materials.
Embrace nature-inspired decor. Instead of using confetti, consider sustainable alternatives like hole punched leaves or flowers that are local to the environment you are hosting your wedding. Definitely do not use confetti outdoors!
Step 5: Mindful Menu Planning
Serve locally sourced, organic, and seasonal dishes to support local farmers and reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding meal. Consider offering plant-based options to cater to all dietary preferences and ensure a sustainable dining experience for your guests. Minimize food waste by planning portions carefully and donating any excess to local shelters.
Step 6: Sustainable Fashion Choices
Choose attire made from eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo silk for you and your bridal party. Consider renting or buying second-hand dresses or suits to reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion. Embrace vintage or heirloom accessories to add a unique touch to your sustainable wedding ensemble.
Your wedding venue could be a state park, like Devil's Lake (pictured above).
Step 7: Green Transportation
Encourage guests to carpool or provide shuttle services to reduce transportation emissions to and from your wedding venue. Opt for electric or hybrid vehicles for your own transportation, minimizing the carbon footprint of your special day. Consider organizing bike rentals for an eco-friendly and fun mode of transportation.
Step 8: Zero-Waste Approach
Embrace a zero-waste philosophy by using biodegradable items with compostable food packaging. Set up recycling and compost stations to encourage guests to dispose of waste responsibly. Donate leftover food to minimize post-wedding waste and give back to the community.
Step 9: Green Gifts and Favors
Thank your guests with eco-friendly gifts or favors, such as locally sourced honey, handmade soaps, or seed packets. Personalize gifts with a heartfelt note expressing your gratitude and commitment to sustainability. Opt for gifts that guests can use or plant, ensuring a lasting memory of your environmentally conscious celebration.
Alternatively, choose NOT to provide guest favors or gifts. This could be a controversial choice, but it really is the most sustainable one.
Step 10: In lieu of gifts, have guests donate to your favorite eco-friendly charity
Do you already have enough stuff? If you don't want your guests to buy you more kitchen appliances, you can ask your guests to donate to your favorite eco-friendly organization or charity on your behalf as a wedding gift.
You could also ask guests to contribute to a general fund that you can then donate that money to your favorite charity or organization doing work to save the planet.
Don't forget to follow the Leave No Trace principles for your outdoor wedding or elopement.
Did you know?
The most eco-friendly wedding is an elopement! Elopements with fewer guests produce less waste and are overall the most sustainable way to get married.
Planning a sustainable or eco-friendly wedding or elopement is a rewarding experience that allows you to celebrate your love for each other and the planet. By making conscious choices, you can create a wedding day that reflects your values and inspires others to embrace sustainability. Let your love shine brightly on this special day, leaving a positive impact on the environment and your guests.
Remember, your wedding is not just a celebration of love, but also a tribute to the beauty and wonder of our natural world.
Ready to book your photographer for your sustainable or eco-friendly wedding or elopement?
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