77% of people want to live more sustainably.

If you’re one of these people and are getting married soon, then there are many ways in which you can make your big day more environmentally friendly.

By following a few of these tips on your wedding day, you will help planet Earth! Here’s how to plan an eco-friendly wedding.

1. Choose an Eco-Friendly Venue

One of the biggest decisions you will make when planning your wedding is where it will be.

There are many aspects to consider when hiring a venue that is eco-friendly. For example, can you hold your ceremony and reception in one place to reduce the need for transport?

It’s important to choose a venue that is easy for your guests to reach. This reduces their need to drive or fly long-distance.

When visiting your venue, ask them whether they provide recycling facilities. Find out whether they use renewable energy sources and if the venue is well insulated.

2. Reduce Your Guest List

One of the best ways to ensure your wedding is eco-friendly is to only invite a few people.

Do you really want your great aunt’s boyfriend at your wedding? No? Cut him off the guest list.

You may feel a little guilty doing this, but by reducing the number of people you invite, you’re ultimately reducing how many people are traveling to be there. This also reduces the number of people you need to cater for!

3. Forgo Plastic Straws

It takes 200 years for a plastic straw to break down. During this time, this plastic often ends up in our oceans.

Although plastic straws are fun decorations for cocktails at your wedding, they simply aren’t eco-friendly.

However, there is an alternative. You can now buy great paper straws that are compostable, biodegradable and recyclable.

If you know you’ll be using a lot of straws on your wedding day, why not buy them in bulk to save yourself some money, too?

4. Serve an All Vegan Meal and Wedding Cake

We all know that avoiding meat and dairy is the biggest thing we can do to reduce our carbon footprint. For many, this feels impossible.

Now, only one in 10 Americans is vegetarian or vegan, but this diet is increasing in popularity with celebs such as Miley Cyrus and Ellen DeGeneres modifying their meals.

To encourage friends and family to consider a plant-based diet, you may want to serve delicious vegan food at your wedding! By doing this, you are ensuring your big day is eco-friendly.

Vegan food is great for a sit-down meal. But, you could simply create a buffet of delicious dishes.

Nowadays, it’s easy to find vegan wedding cakes, too! Your cake can still look beautiful and tall but won’t be damaging the planet.

5. Provide Eco-Friendly Favors

Rather than giving your guests a favor that will ultimately end up in the trash, choose an eco-friendly alternative.

This could be a donation to your favorite wildlife charity or it could be a small, personalized vegan snack.

Alternatively, choose to give a cute potted plant or even a small bag of wildflower seeds. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s useful for your guests.

6. Encourage Guests to Wear Clothes They Already Own

It can’t be denied that the fast fashion industry is devastating our planet. Therefore, why not encourage guests to wear clothes they already own?

By doing this, you’re reducing the impact your wedding has on the planet and helping guests save a little extra cash!

Hold a mini fashion show with your wedding party to decide which of their outfits work best with your wedding theme.

7. Buy a Second-Hand Wedding Dress or Suit

As this is your big day, it’s important to wear a dress or suit which makes you feel like a million dollars.

But, who’s to say you can’t find a second-hand option? There are many websites selling pre-loved wedding dresses and you know they’ve only been worn once!

8. Send Out E-Vites and Thank You Notes

Perhaps this isn’t the right option if you’re inviting many elderly relatives to your wedding, but it’s perfect for friends and family members who are always glued to their phones. Also, an e-vite is more likely to encourage guests to RSVP more quickly.

You may want to consider sending out a custom-designed, online thank you note too. Send your favorite image from the day electronically and you’re not wasting money on printing or postage.

By doing this, you can truly personalize your thank you note and send a picture of you and the guest you’re thanking!

If this isn’t right for you, then choose stationery which is recyclable. There are now many stationery options made from sustainable materials such as bamboo.

9. Is Your Bouquet In Season?

When you think of weddings, you often think of lavish displays of flowers and a blushing bride carrying a large bouquet.

However, it’s important to consider whether the flowers you are choosing are in season and whether they’re organic.

Speak to your florist about choosing flowers that are picked locally to support local farmers and ensure that they’re grown without chemicals.

Alternatively, why not choose flowers that you can repot after you’ve walked down the aisle with them?

If you have a green thumb, keeping these flowers around after your wedding day is a lovely reminder of saying, “I do!”

10. Choose an Eco-Friendly Registry

Do you really need another toaster? When it comes to choosing your registry, make sure you’re looking closely at every item you add.

Consider things like where the product is made. What materials is it made from? Do you need it?

Many couples are now forgoing a wedding registry. Instead, they are asking guests to donate towards their honeymoon.

If you feel that you don’t need the cash, then donate it to a charity.

You’ll Feel Great on Your Eco-Friendly Wedding Day

By knowing that your special day isn’t negatively impacting the planet, you’ll feel even better while walking down the aisle.

Furthermore, by making your guests aware of your choices at your eco-friendly wedding, they are more likely to follow your lead.

Are you planning on buying paper straws for your wedding? Make sure you buy enough! Get in contact with us to figure out how many you’ll need.