Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue &…something green.
Did you know the average wedding in the United States produces roughly 400 pounds of trash and nearly 60 metric tons of carbon dioxide? That’s equivalent to burning over 65, 000 pounds of coal. Compare that to having a birthday party with 40 guests in which the amount of garbage produced is only 40 pounds. The key take away here? Less is more. Excessive amounts of CO2 cause upper respiratory issues, headaches, nausea, and elevated blood pressure to name a few. Luckily, there are ways to significantly reduce your carbon footprint if you wish to celebrate your nuptials in true health-conscious fashion.
Eco Friendly Rules of Engagement – better known as the 6 R’s
- Refuse – don’t accept anything new; in doing so, you lessen the strain on our planet’s resources. (Ask guests to only buy wedding gifts from secondhand stores or opt to not have gifts at all.)
- Reduce – Decrease how much you use energy and water. (Use ecofriendly lights.) LED.
- Reuse – Stick to repairing items instead of buying new ones and use something more than once if possible.
- Repurpose – Find a different way to use something.
- Recycle – Rather than throwing something away, recycling will turn it into new products.
- Repair – Fix broken or damaged items instead of throwing them away.
10 More Tips to Keep Your Wedding Green
- Choose a green venue: Look for a venue with sustainable practices like solar panels or water-saving measures. Here are a few green venues to check out: https://durangoweddingsmagazine.com/historic-mountain-wedding/
- Use eco-friendly invitations: Consider invitations made from recycled paper or plantable seed paper. You can also send electronic invitations. Here is where to find ecofriendly invites. https://botanicalpaperworks.com/catalog/wedding-collection/?srsltid=AfmBOooGQVlHX1OWqdTUsr0qiDBpOMCvBUwHwlLyzbrsamSv7PQCYQsD
- Wear sustainable attire: Rent or buy second-hand dresses or choose sustainable options from designers.
- Use compostable confetti: Look for confetti made from materials like paper, dried flowers, or herbs, and make sure to compost it after the wedding.
- Give eco-friendly favors: Consider reusable tote bags, biodegradable seed packets, or locally crafted goods.
- Use sustainable decor: Consider purchasing second-hand items. Find alternatives for balloons such as pom-pom balls made from netting.
- Use local and organic catering: Choose local and organic caterers. Organic farming uses practices with lower environmental impacts.
- Use green transportation: Consider using green transportation. For example, car sharing, carpooling, electric vehicles.
- Use local vendors: Use local vendors. Doing so cuts down on carbon emissions.
Consider a green honeymoon: Consider having a green honeymoon. Our friends at Reve En Vert have great ideas you can check out here: https://reve-en-vert.com/editorial/our-guide-to-sustainable-honeymoon-destinations/
