As the summer wedding season gets underway, couples all over the country are putting the finishing touches on their preparations, but many are doing so with sustainability in mind. If you’re looking to give your nuptials a sustainable touch without sacrificing style, there are innumerable ways that you can incorporate green thinking into your wedding planning.
Check out a few of Nanina’s In the Park’s suggestions to give your upcoming nuptials a green touch that will limit your impact on the environment and adhere to your chosen theme.
1. Go with locally-sourced flowers
Specific flowers have their own unique growing seasons, and if you have something in mind that’s out of season, shipping them in time for your nuptials will add needless transportation (and burning of fossil fuels) to your preparations. Consider going to a local nursery to learn about local plants or wildflowers in your region that can be sustainably sourced, suggests The Huffington Post. You may be surprised at what you’ll find and it may end up being less expensive in the long run!
2. Cut down on paper usage
With wedding programs, placecards and other forms of décor, it’s astonishing how much paper is used during a given ceremony. Some easy ways to get around this are skipping the individual programs and instead using large chalkboards at your venue to highlight the day’s events. Additionally, skip paper decorations and go with reusable string lights or other elements that can be recycled in the future.
3. Green favors
Wedding favors are your way of thanking your guests for attending your ceremony with a token of affection, but Better Homes and Gardens Magazine suggests turning convention on its head in the sake of sustainability. Instead of giving out small gifts that could be potentially wasteful or may not even be used by your attendees, consider putting those funds aside to donate to your favorite environmental organization. This is a great way to get everyone on the same page with your sustainable thinking and help them feel like they’re making a positive impact on the environment.
