If you and your soon-to-be spouse plan to host an earth-loving wedding which is waste free, natural and sustainable, here are some tips that will help set you on the path to being ecologically responsible.
Your wedding, whether an intimate gathering of your closest friends and family, or a guest list of 500 will use up a lot of resources, luckily there are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint:
Marry Outdoors
Cut down on energy by opting to marry outdoors- use natural lighting (yay better photo opps!)
If it’s an evening wedding, candles can help create a romantic ambience that will not be soon forgotten.
If you choose to marry indoors, look for venues that recycle and use energy-efficient appliances and bio-degradable products.
Use Recycled Paper
Millions of trees are cut down each year to make paper products. Do your part by opting for an eco-friendly invite and thank-you cards.
Chakra – 5th Lane, Colombo 3 Contact: 777223442
Paperless is the best option for Save The Dates; send them out via email or create a website for your wedding.
Go Local
Reduce your carbon footprint by hiring local vendors. Let them know that you wish to plan an eco-friendly wedding so that they can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Flowers
Use local in-season flowers instead of imported flowers or opt for potted plants instead of cut flowers- these are sure to live long past your wedding day!
Decor
Create natural canopies by making use of the surrounding trees, plants and shrubbery. An added bonus is that it’ll will give your wedding a fairytale-like atmosphere.
Tip: Reusable items go a long way!
When you’re looking for table placements and venue decorations:
visit thrift shops for items to use as decor; antiques are always in vogue and will create a rustic aesthetic!
Confetti:
Throwing rice or confetti on your wedding day can be a fun and gorgeous tradition that let’s all of your guests celebrate with you as you leave your ceremony as husband and wife for the first time.
However, here are some natural substitutes for Paper Confetti, that will still definitely live up the hype of this joyous tradition:
Get creative by using things like Lavender buds or Fresh/dried rose petals
A super unique idea would be to use leaves as confetti, ’cause why not?!
It will certainly add more colour to your special day and will look great in photos!
Tip: Punch shapes into the leaves for smaller confetti
After the wedding:
You will have a lot of items remaining, and most venues throw them out. Come up with a plan prior to the wedding with your wedding planner, or even with the venue to dispose/distribute the remaining in an eco-conscious way.
Flowers can be donated to hospitals or nursing homes and you can donate leftover food to the homeless or stray animals.
Certain organizations pick up and distribute surplus food. Ask your wedding planner or someone in your retinue/family to organize this when the wedding is over.
@thesoupbowlers on Instagram -For more information, contact: 0774841143
www.robinhoodarmy.com -The Robin Hood Army on Facebook / @rha_srilanka on Instagram -For information, contact: 771855535
Recycle wrapping paper:
You’ll be receiving a LOT of gifts, which in turn means, tons of wrapping paper will be used. Unwrap them carefully and save the paper for later, or use them for your DIY creations.
Let your guests know on your wedding website or invite that you’d appreciate eco-friendly gifts/wrapping paper/cards and that your wedding will be eco-conscious, so that they too can join in on your efforts to be more environmentally conscious.
Shuttle: arrange a shuttle if it’s a venue that is far away so that vehicle emissions can be reduced.
Wedding favors (check out our article- we’ve got a whole one dedicated to this topic!)
All those plastic bags and wrappers can really add up when you’re buying in volume, reduce packaging as much as you can, or opt for bio-degradable or reusable options.
Plantable favors are becoming increasingly famous and add a pop of colour to your wedding
Gift seed pouches/ potted saplings or herbs.
Tip: use potted succulents that double as escort cards or tokens of thanks- or both!
Go Edible
Chocolate bars are easy on the paper wrapping, or DIY
Bio-degradable cake boxes can be found in Pettah and glass jars can be bought in bulk at only Rs.29 per jar from Piramal Glass Ceylon PLC in Moratuwa: 0112635481
Beautiful cake pouches can be purchased from Liyawal. There are many colours and designs to choose from, and these pouches can be used to gift seed mixes or sweets as well!
They also do tote bags, which would make great gifts for your bridesmaids!
Liyawal 775435215
Charity donation
Let your guests pick a charity from a list of you and your soon-to-be-spouse’s favourite charities to donate some money in their name. This is a thoughtful alternative to the usual gifts given as wedding favors; guests would love to know that they played their part toward helping a worthy cause.
For more ideas on how to make your wedding more eco-friendly, scroll down to the comments and feel free to give us your ideas and feedback!
Disclaimer: the vendors mentioned in this article are simply recommendations. We do not endorse them, nor will we be held liable for any loss or adversity.
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