Photo: @sunnieheers

Weddings are not eco-friendly—items are single use, disposable and just plain wasteful. Imagine planning a day that is both beautiful AND kind to the planet! Shifting your mindset around a few key areas of your wedding planning process can have a huge impact. 

Here are 5 ways you can pull off an eco-conscious wedding that is as fabulous as it is earth friendly. 

Paperless Invitations and Save-the-Dates

We know it’s not always as fancy as hard copies, but between save-the-dates, bridal shower invitations, wedding invitations, and response cards, there’s a lot of paper traveling to a lot of places. 

With the exception of you, is anyone keeping these things? Nope, it’s going straight into the trash (or hopefully the recycle bin at least). Get creative with digital invites, or at minimum RSVPs through places like The Knot, Zola, and Greenvelope.

Intentional, Eco-Conscious Choices For ALL of Your Wedding Events

Your big day is just one day, but think about all of the other things that go with a wedding. Showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners, after parties, wedding brunches—the list of potential gatherings goes on! Those are all opportunities to think sustainably. 

Small changes like using real dishware, silverware, glassware, and cloth napkins just saved you from garbage bags full of disposable items. 

Another helpful practice is to minimize shopping for every event. Consider shopping your closet, borrowing, or buying second hand or vintage for your various wedding activities.

Food for Thought

Waste reduction is a key component of sustainability. Consider donating leftover food or composting food waste for any of your wedding events.

Photos: @nicoledaniellestudios

Eco-Friendly Florals

We are SO here for these new and creative ways to think sustainably about your wedding day blooms.

• Ask florists for regional and seasonal blooms: If you are opting for real flowers and don’t have a flower farm around, have your florist choose regional and seasonal blooms.
• Pick your own flowers: Some savvy DIY brides and nearlyweds are opting to pick their own florals from local farms.
• Consider wooden flowers: Yes flowers made from wood shavings are both beautiful, unique and last forever. Just ask Wood and Word Blooms.
• Floral rental: Fake flowers have come a long way from the craft store. Check out a company like Something Borrowed Blooms where beautiful faux flower arrangements can be rented for the wedding day and then shipped back, touched up, and used again by another couple.
• Skip the centerpieces: Opt for other creative table decor that doesn’t involve flowers at all. 

Gifting with Purpose

How many wedding favors have YOU discarded in your lifetime? Be sure to think about where things like gifts and favors may wind up in the long run. Some of our favorite gifts and favors include:

• Anything consumable: Chocolates from a local shop, candles, mini liquor bottles, or the ever classic, jordan almonds.
• Something reusable: Water bottles, cloth bags, pajamas and slippers, or jewelry trays.
• Gifting that helps the bridal party: Makeup services, hair services, wedding day accessories like jewelry or cufflinks, fun socks, etc.
• Making a charitable donation in lieu of favors: Instead of traditional wedding favors, consider making a donation to an organization like VOW for Girls. Your contribution will support local leaders worldwide who are fighting to end child marriage and empower every girl in their community.

It’s About Thinking Beyond the Wedding Day

Sustainability doesn’t mean shopping items with some greenwashed label that says “made from recycled materials”. Sustainability is about the lifespan of items and not letting things go to waste. By being conscientious about your environmental impact and making small changes, you can have a big impact! 

Remember, being sustainable and eco-friendly isn’t about being one person doing it perfectly, it’s about many of us doing what we can imperfectly.

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Hi, I’m Melissa, the sassy sewing and wedding pro you didn’t know you needed in your life. 

I’m the owner of deMelis Atelier, a top ranked alterations studio located in Connecticut, and the founder of Stitched Collective, a community for sewing professionals. I’m a master seamstress and wedding dress educator as well as an industry leader and trainer… and a lover of spicy mango margaritas.

I use my fashion and sewing knowledge to help brides and wedding pros alike. 

Be sure to check out my latest endeavors and access some of my favorite products too!