When it comes to weddings, sustainability is always in. Thrifting centerpieces, upcycling a secondhand gown, and asking for charitable donations in lieu of gifts (do you really need that new set of silver?) are just a few easy swaps you can make that will have the planet—and your wallet—thanking you. To help you get started, wedding planner Marilyn Speight of Just a Little Ditty shares her green tips on everything from food to flowers.—Maeve Hayden
The big question: How can I make my wedding more eco-friendly?
From Marilyn Speight: Sustainability is an incredibly important factor in event planning. Reducing the effect of a celebration on the environment is crucial when navigating a typically high-waste moment like a one-off party. No matter the area or scale, there are so many ways you can be sustainable that are intentional and thoughtful, while still designing a moment that meets your vision. Here are a few areas we consider when trying to make our client’s weddings and events more eco-friendly.
Food & beverage
Here, we really lean into your catering team. Focusing on local or seasonal food and beverages is huge. We’re lucky to live in the heart of Virginia wine country, so many weddings we produce are connected to or take place at vineyards. Serving wine to your guests that was created on-site is about as sustainable as you can get.
Plated dinners require less food than a station or buffet approach. If your goal is to produce less, this is often the way to go. Sometimes, we’ve also been able to donate leftovers to homeless shelters (make sure to check your local health codes).
Florals & décor
The majority of floral designers we work with takes great strides to source their flowers locally, which reduces travel and shipping impacts. We’ve also had couples who incorporate potted plants instead of fresh-cut blooms. From orchids to herbs, there are so many gorgeous options that can be easily reused or transplanted into soil after the shindig is over. That’s always a top goal with any floral approach—to repurpose as much as possible on-site and then give them a second life post-event.
As for other décor, using a solid rental company is one of the No. 1 ways you can positively impact the carbon footprint of your big day. Buying 200 new chargers that you’ll use one time, versus renting that same charger from a company, is inherently sustainable.
Gifts
Welcome or celebration gifts for your guests are one of our favorite ways to show hospitality, and be environmentally conscious. Reusable items made of quality materials go a long way. Fabric bags over paper, glass bottles over plastic, minimal packaging over all the bells and whistles. You can make a big impression on your guests while keeping your impact on nature small.