7 ways to craft an eco-conscious celebrant-led wedding ceremony
Let’s take a moment to consider wedding ceremonies and ‘all things sustainability’: Is it really possible to have a sustainable celebrant-led wedding ceremony?
As a wedding celebrant, I try really hard to make eco-conscious decisions for my business: I have business cards made from recycled card, I often buy my ceremony outfits second hand using apps like Vinted and eBay and I am always keen to promote local business that share the same ethos as me. I have to admit, though, that I still have a long way to go; I know myself that I don’t always put the environment and being sustainable first with everything I do.
So it’s with an honest awareness of my own shortfalls that I ask-can a wedding ceremony ever be truly sustainable? Is it possible to put reusing, reducing and recycling at the forefront of your wedding planning whilst at the same time maintaining a beautiful and stylish affair?
I believe that more and more of us are enjoying a ‘greener’ lifestyle with an awareness of the impact our own actions have on the world. When it comes to planning a sustainable wedding ceremony, there are some useful steps you can take to minimise the environmental impact of your wedding day.
My ideas as a wedding celebrant on how to make your ceremony more eco-conscious:
Here are some 7 tips to help you plan a sustainable wedding ceremony:
Be mindful of your choice of wedding venue:
Choosing a venue with eco-friendly practices can set the tone for your sustainable wedding. Opt for locations that prioritise energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable sourcing; choose a venue where they: use renewable energy, compostable toilets and use home grown food sources. Consider holding an outdoor wedding ceremony to embrace the beauty of nature without the need for excessive decorations.
Consider the food choices after your wedding ceremony:
Choose locally-sourced and organic food options. This will reduce the carbon footprint of transporting food and minimise the use of harmful pesticides. Work with caterers who prioritise local, organic, and seasonal ingredients. Choose a vegetarian or vegan menu to reduce the environmental impact associated with meat production. Consider using reusable dinnerware, glassware, and cutlery or choose compostable alternatives.
Avoid disposable items:
Use real plates, glasses, and silverware instead of disposable items. If that’s not possible, choose compostable or biodegradable options. Where things do have to be thrown away: implement a comprehensive waste management plan to minimise the environmental impact of your wedding; provide clearly labelled recycling and compost bins and work with vendors to reduce the use of single-use items.
Choose eco-friendly décor for your ceremony venue space:
Use flowers and decorations that are locally-sourced and in season to reduce transportation and energy costs. Choose reusable décor items that you can repurpose or donate after the wedding, such as: fabric bunting, potted plants or items you can repurpose in your home after the wedding.
Eco friendly invitations and RSVPs to your celebrant ceremony:
Use digital invitations and RSVPs to reduce paper waste. If you prefer physical invitations, choose recycled paper and consider using soy-based inks, or consider creative alternatives like plant-able invitations embedded with seeds, which guests can later plant to grow flowers.
Green transportation to and from your ceremony space:
Encourage guests to share lifts, use public transportation or bike to your wedding. Consider renting a shuttle bus to transport guests to and from the venue. If possible, host the ceremony and reception at the same venue to minimize transportation needs.
Eco-conscious wedding registry:
Create a wedding registry that reflects your commitment to sustainability: request experiences, contributions to charitable causes, or items made from eco-friendly materials instead of traditional gifts. Consider asking for gifts that have a low environmental impact, such as experiences instead of physical gifts.
In addition, there are other ways you can consider incorporating eco-conscious decisions into your wedding ceremony; use weddings made locally or ethically made jewels and be mindful of unethical mining practises, shop second hand for your wedding dress or wedding suit or consider fabrics like organic cotton, consider offsetting your carbon footprint.
In the journey towards married life, embracing the concept of a sustainable wedding ceremony becomes a powerful testament to your shared values of love and environmental consciousness. Crafting an eco-friendly wedding celebration is not just a trend; it's a meaningful commitment to a better future for the planet and the generations to come.
As your wedding celebrant, I would take all your ideas and suggestions for an eco-friendly wedding ceremony very seriously.
Part of my job is to ensure that we adhere to your wishes and desires for your wedding ceremony, thereby, ensuring it reflects your beliefs as authentically as possible. The beauty of using me to curate your ceremony for you, is that I offer flexibility in terms of where, when and how we tell your love story. If you are keen nature lovers and enjoy nothing more than star-gazing or bird-watching in your free time, let’s optimise that in an outdoor wedding ceremony standing under your favourite trees. Through a gentle and nurturing approach, I will guide you with ideas and suggestions whilst encouraging your own creativity to flow. I also work with lots of wedding venues in Yorkshire who are also extremely eco-conscious and enjoy coordinating a sustainable wedding, so do let me know if you’d like more information on this or check out my venue reviews on my other blogs.
In the end, a sustainable wedding is more than just an event; it's a statement, a promise to tread lightly and celebrate with purpose. So as you exchange vows and embark on this beautiful chapter of life, know that your commitment to sustainability is a gift not only to each other but also to the planet too.
As always, never hesitate to get in touch; we can enjoy a brief discovery call where you can tell me more about your wishes and find out whether I will be a good match for you.
Please do get in touch, I would be privileged to tell your story.
