Then you must be getting married. I greatly appreciate your help! There may be a more serious question going through your mind as you think about the perfect spot and your dream dress. What can we do to honour our love without hurting the earth? Seeing pictures of hessian sacks and composting toilets can make a zero-waste wedding seem like a lot to handle. But what if we told you that planning a beautiful, memorable, and eco-friendly wedding day is not only possible but also doesn’t take much work?
Long gone are the days when being “eco-friendly” meant giving up style. These days, a zero-waste wedding is mostly about making smart choices based on your values as a pair. In this way, you can show your love for both each other and the beautiful Australia we call home. So grab a cup of coffee (in a reusable mug, of course!), and let’s talk about how you can have a wonderful wedding day without getting too stressed out.
Setting the Scene: Your Eco-Friendly Venue and Invitations
The first steps you take in wedding planning are often the most important. Finding a place that fits with your idea of sustainability will help you a lot with the hard work.
Venues
Look for sites that are naturally beautiful and don’t need much to make them look appealing.
- Picture a beautiful beach at sunset, a lovely farm, or a botanical garden with many different plants.
Not only do these places make beautiful backgrounds, but they also help reduce the need for over-the-top ornaments that end up in the trash. Many places in Australia are now bragging about how green they are. Some even get their power from renewable sources and recycle and compost on-site.
Invitations
Once you’ve found the perfect place, it’s time to let other people know. But before you start printing piles of paper, think about digital invitations. They’re useful for your guests and a wonderful way to save trees. With all the beautiful and customisable digital invitation systems out there, it’s easy to keep track of RSVPs.
Choose traditional cards made from recycled paper and plant-based inks if you truly desire them. Some creative companies even make invitations that are made of plantable seed paper. This way, your guests can plant a little bit of your wedding day in their fields. This technique goes well with the idea of eco-friendly gardening in a way that doesn’t hurt the earth, and it will also make a nice souvenir of your party.
The Festive Heart: Flowers and Food
The food and the flowers are two of the most anticipated parts of any wedding. In this case, a zero-waste method mostly means appreciating what is in season and close by.
Food
Australia has a lot of great local makers, so why not make them the focus of your day? Hire a chef who believes in farm-to-table food. The practice helps farmers in Australia that are close by and also cuts down on the carbon footprint that comes from shipping things from far away. When making the menu, think about quality over number. A well-thought-out meal with fresh, in-season food will be much more memorable than a fancy buffet that wastes too much food.
Flowers
The idea behind all of your flower arrangements is the same. Instead of bringing in flowers that aren’t in season, enjoy the natural beauty of flowers that grow in Australia.
- Not only are wattle, banksia, and eucalyptus trees very uncommon, they are also hardy and don’t need as much water.
Ask your florist to create arrangements that will last throughout the day. It’s possible for the bouquets from the wedding to be the centre of attention at the reception. And when the party is over, you might want to give your flowers to a nearby hospital or nursing home to spread some joy even further.
The Finer Details: Attire, Favours, and a Flawless Finish
The little things, such as clothing choices, personal tastes, and a beautiful finish, can make a significant impact.
Attire
Wearing eco-friendly clothes to your wedding can be a way to show off your style and your beliefs. Recently, ethical fashion has taken off, and many Australian designers are making beautiful gowns from materials that are beneficial for the earth. Another option is to think about the classic beauty of a used or old dress. Using recycled materials is not only a great choice for the environment, but it will also give your dress a unique story. Mix-and-match dresses in similar tones are both trendy and good for the environment for the wedding party. Your friends are more likely to wear them again.
Favours
Think of creative and sensible ideas for wedding favours. Instead of small trinkets that will likely be forgotten, think about:
- Native seed packs
- Succulents in pots
- Homemade treats in jars that can be used again and again
Giving to a charity in the name of your friends is another sweet way to show your love.
Finishing Touches
Making sure you have a perfect, stress-free day is essential in the end. This is where all the careful planning and organising for the wedding day execution pays off. Please ensure you are aware of how to properly dispose of any waste you generate. Please provide bins for recycling and composting, and kindly inform your guests to utilise them. You will find that a zero-waste wedding day doesn’t take much extra work on the day itself if you make smart choices during the planning process.
A zero-waste wedding isn’t about being perfect; it’s about having the right idea. It’s about starting your married life together in a way that fits with your morals. You can plan a day that is not only beautiful and memorable, but also beneficial for the earth by making a few small, clear choices.
We’d love to hear your ideas for a wedding with no trash! Leave a comment below with your thoughts and suggestions.
