With an increasing concern for the environment, people are now looking for ideas to have a sustainable wedding. Couples are going out of their way to minimize waste and reduce the carbon footprint of their wedding. This article discusses some tips on how to tie a knot sustainably on a budget.

1. Choose a Sustainable Wedding Venue

• Opt for an eco-friendly venue that uses solar energy and has recycling or composting facilities.
• Venues which use reusable decoration or have a lawn for a day wedding are a big YES.

2. Paperless Invitation

• Go for e-invites. They are a great way to reduce waste and help you manage your guest list even easier.
• There are countless online sites that offer templates for wedding invitations. You can explore your creativity and give your guests freedom from having to carry physical cards to the venue.
• For unique and enthusing invitations, you can even use QR codes.
• If you want to send physical invites, limit the invitations for specific people.
• You can use cards made from  recycled paper and natural ink.
• You can also choose plantable seed paper cards.

3. Eco-friendly Decor

• Avoid the use of single-use plastic, thermocol, wood or other such materials.
• Support a small business focused on sustainable events.
• Try to source local, in-season, wild flowers for decoration.
• After the wedding, you can give the flowers to your guests who can take them home as a give-away present.
• Invest in solar lanterns. It is a sustainable option and a great way to add a rustic touch to your wedding.
• If it’s a small and intimate wedding, you can use decoration items from your own home like lamps, string lights, old wine bottles, wind chimes etc. at the venue.

4. Dress Consciously

• Buy your wedding clothes from sustainable fashion brands.
• There are many amazing brands that offer beautiful, sustainable wedding outfits for you to be gorgeous and guilt free both on your big day.
• Upcycle old family clothes and accessories and wear them on your D-day.
• You can even rent your wedding dress.

5. Have a Day Wedding

• Choose an outdoor space such as parks or gardens filled with plenty of trees and flowers.
• Open air venues provide natural lighting which will help you avoid the electricity load and reduce your carbon footprint.
• If the chosen venue is scenic, you only need minimal decor to make the most of your wedding venue.

6. Reusable Cutlery

• Avoid plastic and use reusable steel or glass cutlery.
• Replace plastic water bottles with glass bottles.
• Swap tissues and paper napkins with cloth napkins.
• You can also revive tradition by serving food on compostable banana leaves.

7. E-Gift Cards

• Go for gift registry services or e-gift cards.
• If you don’t want gifts, you can request guests to support a good cause.
• Giving gifts to those in need is one of the best ways to start your life together.

8. Keep a Check on Waste

• Support small-scale farmers by incorporating more local and seasonal foods. This will also reduce the carbon footprint from the transportation of exotic foods.
• Speak to the catering service providers to make sure that no food is wasted and the leftover does not go in the trash can.
• Tie up with a food service that can take up the extra food and provide to those who need it.
• Arrange for segregated and labeled waste bins at the venue. Provide clear instructions on labels so the guests and trained staff can dispose of waste accordingly.

Make your special occasion, a celebration of love and companionship which is also favorable to the planet. It’s time to express your love for the earth, loud and proud!

For more such informative articles, visit our sustainability blog page.