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I am so excited to share some of the easiest things you can do to make your wedding eco-friendly and not break the bank. We'll jump right in with the first one.
1. Use flowers that are sourced locally. If you are using a florist, make sure to emphasize the importance of buying locally sourced flowers. Many exotic flowers are flown and trucked in and you can have equivalently beautiful flower bouquets using local sources. This not only saves the environment from the transportation generated waste and pollutants, but it also saves you money and supports local farmers.
2. Consider sending e-invites instead of the traditional paper invites. The world of online invitations and e-cards is rapidly evolving such that there are tremendous options out there now. You can choose from elaborate and detailed e-invites to simple and modern e-invites — there are many options to meet your style and preferences. By sending electronic invites, you are saving a significant amount of paper waste. Many paper invites have so many add-ons and thin coatings that they are not recyclable in their final form. E-invites on the other hand generate no disposable waste and happen to also be much more affordable and less time-consuming to create and send.
3. Re-use décor throughout the event. A super simple tip is to re-use your décor throughout the evening. The most common example is to put the bridesmaid's flower bouquets on the bridal party table at the reception. Other less common ideas include moving décor from the ceremony to the reception. For example, items you hung along the aisle can be taken to the reception and added as table or room décor. Making this a priority when you design your event décor will save you money and time and reduce waste.
4. Incorporate recycling and composting. From the empty beverage bottles to the food leftovers, recycling and composting can go a long way in keeping your trash generation low. Most caterers already make an effort to compost so all you need to do is verify it with them. You'll also want to talk directly with your venue to see if this is something they already do. If the venue has a kitchen, they likely already recycle and compost. If they say no, it's really simple to rent a couple bins and put them out. You can even ask a wedding party member or a family member to collect it at the end of the night.
Remember, recycling takes little effort on your part, for a big difference to our world.
5. Avoid single-use dishes and cups, instead rent the supplies from your local event rental shop. Significant waste is generated from paper and plastic products such as plates, cups, and cutlery. All of that ends up in a landfill. If you find that you have to buy disposable, consider buying the compostable option. Compostable dishes, cups, and cutlery are often available at your local store or can easily be ordered online.
I hope you found some simple ideas that you can incorporate into your wedding planning. Remember, green is the new black.
If you enjoyed this post, check out my other blog posts to make your wedding planning easier.
'Til next time
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