Wedding Stylist Bedfordshire Shares How to have a Sustainable Wedding

Beth Carlisle
Jan 2, 2023
5 min read

In this day and age, we really do need to look after the environment and be more eco-friendly, however, this may not be at the forefront of your mind when it comes to your wedding. We are going to give you some ideas on how you can cut waste, be eco-friendly and have a sustainable wedding day.

Suppliers - WEDDING PLANNER & STYLIST- @misscarlysleandco_events / PHOTOGRAPHER: @victoriamitchellphotography / ASSISTANT: @yourweddingfrienduk / HAIR: @emma_kim_hair / MAKE UP: @glamavanuk / CAKE MAKER: @melscakesandbakes / BALLOON ARCH: @creativedecorations / FLORALS & STYLING: @saras.events.flowers / DRESS: @indiebride.london / VENUE: @thebarnatbrookendgreenfarm / MODEL: @xcatnorris / PROP HIRE: @thesparkleshed1 / DREAM CATCHERS: @rosamaycrafts_ / STATIONERY: @designbyemilyuk / PROP HIRE: @lulabelleandmoo / SIGNAGE: @hunnibellchalk

Shop Ethically

As a bride looking for an ethical wedding dress may feel like a struggle, however ethical doesn't have to mean you miss out on a stunning dress! Indiebride London custom makes gorgeous dresses from ethically sourced materials.

There are also online ethical stores like Linda Thomas Eco Design, where you can find gorgeous bridesmaids' dresses! You can even look at renting the groom and groomsmen's suits, instead of buying an expensive suit you may only wear once.

Research your venues

Many venues out there have sustainable practices and choosing a venue that does can help reduce your wedding's carbon footprint. Venues like Luton Hoo, Bedford Lodge Hotel, and Dunston Hall all hold a green tourism award. Many venues now are also zero to landfill and are making efforts to reduce their impact on the environment. When looking for a venue ask them what steps they are taking to be sustainable!

You could also opt for a venue closer to home to try and reduce travel for your guests. If you prefer a venue a bit further afield and a lot of guests are staying at a hotel, you could even put on a coach or bus from there to bring guests to your wedding and then take them home.

Supplier love - ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Venue - @thebarnatbrookendgreenfarm⁣ / Wedding Planner & Stylist - @misscarlysleandco_events / Florist & Stylist- @saras.events.flowers⁣ / Stationery - @tiggityboodesign⁣ / Cake - @labellecakecompany⁣ / Prop hire - @wrenark_ / Dress - @indiebride.london⁣ / Balloon arch - @creativedecorations⁣ / Models-@modelcouple_d.s_⠀⠀

Feeding Guests

Food is a huge part of your wedding but also the thing that creates the most waste! You can combat this by checking each guest's dietary requirements so they all enjoy their meals and by opting for a served meal instead of a BBQ or buffet. A vegan or vegetarian menu is the most environmentally friendly so you could opt for a fully vegan menu or at least a vegetable-heavy meal to help combat the environmental effects of the meat industry. You could speak with your venue and check where they source their food from and ask for locally sourced-produce to help reduce your wedding's food miles.

Evening buffets are a great way to feed guests, but a lot goes to waste as everyone is too busy dancing to think about food! You could opt for a street food van that will cater to the guests that order or you could have your venue create "snacks" of sausage & bacon rolls or fish and chip cones that the food & beverage team (or you could enlist the help of your bridal party) could hand out like canapés. This way people are more likely to grab and go than leave food to be wasted. You could also ask your venue to pack any leftovers at the end for your guests to take away or for a midnight feast in your bridal suite.

Styling & Florals

When it comes to planning your wedding there are lots of things you can think about to be more eco-friendly. You could send out digital save the dates and invitations and ask guests to email through their RSVPs. This eliminates the use of paper and envelopes and cuts out the potage. We suggest speaking to some stationary suppliers so they can help with the digital versions.

Florals are arguably a huge waste after the wedding day, as a lot of people see them as something that won't be used afterwards. Dried flowers could be a great, sustainable option instead of real flowers. Gwenda from Bohotanical creates stunning floral displays and bouquets from dried and faux flowers to help you be more eco-conscious on your wedding day.

If you have your heart set on real flowers, there are ways you can be more mindful. Re-use from different parts of the day, for example, you can use your runner from the registrar table on the top table. You can also reuse any bridesmaid's bouquets as centrepieces, which they can take away afterwards. We would also suggest talking to your florist about providing extra twine or ribbon, so your guests can create mini bouquets at the end of the night or the next day to take home. This doubles up as favours and thank you gifts and ensures the flowers are enjoyed after the wedding day!

When it comes to decor you can find so many suppliers to hire props and decorations. This way you don't have to buy disposable decorations or waste money on buying something you'll only use once. You could speak with a stylist to make your vision come to life.

Suppliers

Venue - @southfarm1 / Cake - @kellys_cake_kitchen / Photographer - @nikkiwatkinsphotoandfilm / Second Shooter - @luciewatsonphotography / Flowers - @augustahopeflowers / Hair Stylist - @danicazurawelhair / Hair Stylist - @dma.wedding.hair / Videographer - @creativesparkfilms

The confetti shot is one of my favourite wedding photos, I cannot get enough, but confetti can be so harmful to the environment. I would suggest providing this for your guests as they may bring along some that are non-biodegradable - pop a note on your invitations letting them know. There are many gorgeous options, you have standard bio-degradable confetti, dried flowers & petals and you could even get crafty and make your own confetti from leaves!

Wedding favours can be wasteful depending on the gifts you choose. Instead of giving your guests something, they won't use, might throw away or maybe even leave behind there are many options you could offer instead. You could look at local businesses that produce edible gifts, look at something they can plant in their garden to encourage bees or you could just scrap the favours altogether - you are inviting them to your wedding after all! Whatever you decide your guests will love it!

If you want to know how to make some changes to your big day, or if you need advice on how to have a sustainable wedding, get in touch!