Green Wedding Ideas for an Eco-Friendly Celebration
Suppose you’re planning a wedding and want to make it as sustainable as possible. In that case, there are plenty of thoughtful ways to reduce your environmental impact – All while making a celebration that’s beautiful, memorable, and uniquely yours! Sustainable weddings focus on reducing waste, reusing items, and recycling materials. The best part? You can still have the wedding of your dreams—without sacrificing style, elegance, or your commitment to a greener world. Here are 10 tips for a more sustainable wedding, inspired by the motto “Something Borrowed, Something Green.”
1. Rent When You Can
One of the easiest ways to reduce your wedding’s environmental footprint is to rent instead of buy. Rentals are often available for wedding decorations, tableware, linens, and attire. Renting eliminates the need for single-use decor items, reduces waste, and saves money.
Decor: Many rental companies offer various decor pieces, from centerpieces and vintage furniture to candles and mirrors. For rental services and party decorations, check out places like Hygglo.
Tableware & Linens: Renting plates, glasses, cutlery, and cloth napkins helps reduce single-use plastic and paper waste. Plus, you won’t have to store everything after the wedding—simply return it to the rental company.
2. Opt for a Venue with Natural Charm
Selecting a venue that naturally offers picturesque backdrops and unique features can reduce the décor you need to purchase or rent. Look for locations with stunning gardens, scenic views, or historical elements that require little to no decoration. The natural beauty of these spaces will speak for itself, reducing the need for artificial embellishments.
3. Buy Second-Hand or Rent Your Wedding Attire
It’s traditional to wear a wedding dress only once. Buy second-hand or rent your dress, tuxedo, or bridesmaids’ dresses. Reusing an existing garment will save you money and follow the principles of a circular economy. After the wedding, consider reselling or donating your dress so that someone else can enjoy it.
Check out Från mig till dig, Bröllops Bruket, and Bröllopsfabriken here in Sweden.
4. Shop for Sustainable Jewelry and Fashion
Your wedding day attire includes not just the dress but accessories like rings, jewelry, and shoes.
Sustainable Diamonds: Look for diamonds that are certified as ethically sourced, or consider lab-grown diamonds as a sustainable alternative.
Vintage Jewelry: Consider buying vintage or second-hand jewelry instead of purchasing brand-new pieces.
Shoes You’ll Wear Again: Skip the flashy pair of shoes you’ll only wear once and opt for a pair of shoes you can wear again after the wedding.
5. Go Digital with Your Wedding Invitations
Reducing paper waste is an easy win in terms of sustainability. Create a wedding website to share your event details, from the schedule to directions to the gift registry. A wedding website allows you to skip the printed invitation inserts, like RSVPs and maps. You can even send digital invitations (E-vites) instead of printed ones. If you prefer the traditional route, choose recycled paper for your invitations and skip the printed RSVP card in favor of an online response.
Check out Brollopssida & Zola
6. Be Mindful of Your Flowers
Flowers are essential to most weddings but can also have a significant environmental impact. Many times, flowers are grown with chemicals and imported from faraway countries. Consider sourcing seasonal, locally grown flowers from nearby flower farms. Choosing Seasonal blooms helps you support your community.
Find local flower farmers in Sweden: Snittblomsodlare i Sverige
Find local flower farmers globally: Floret Flower Farmer Collective.
Are you in Sweden and need wedding or elopement flowers? Wildflower Farm would love to help make your flower dreams come to life. Email us at hej@wildflowerfarm.se
7. Go for Compostable Options
If your wedding involves single-use items, choose compostable over traditional plastic—compostable plates, cutlery, and cups are made of sustainable materials that break down naturally. Make sure to also arrange for composting bins at your wedding venue to responsibly handle all food scraps and compostable waste.
8. Choose Local Produce & don’t forget to Compost and Recycle
Consider serving food made from local, in-season produce, which supports sustainable farming and reduces your carbon footprint.
Food waste contributes considerably to wedding waste, so work with your caterer to recycle and compost. You can donate leftovers to local shelters or food banks.
9. Use Biodegradable Confetti
Traditional confetti and glitter are plastic, which can contribute to microplastic pollution. Instead, opt for biodegradable confetti made from dried flower petals or lavender. These are more eco-friendly and add a beautiful, natural touch to your celebration. You can place the confetti in paper cones or bags for guests to toss, minimizing waste.
Check out this Tutorial from Søstrene Grene on how to make your own confetti! They also offer different flower confetti to purchase!
10. Donate or Resell Your Wedding Decor
After your wedding, many of your decor items might still have plenty of life left. Donate items like centerpieces, candles, vases, and table runners to community centers, schools, or local charities. Alternatively, resell them online, on Facebook Marketplace, Tradera, or Vinted, to give them a second chance and prevent them from ending up in a landfill.
Bonus Tip: Sustainable Wedding Favors
Instead of traditional wedding favors, consider eco-friendly alternatives that guests won’t throw away. Ideas include potted plants, seed packets, or reusable items. This way, your guests can take home something they’ll use!
Conclusion: The Power of Mindful Consumption at Weddings
The beauty of a sustainable wedding lies in its simplicity and thoughtfulness. Now that you have some tips and inspiration for a more sustainable wedding, it’s time to get creative, make thoughtful choices, and enjoy the wedding planning process with a lighter heart and footprint. Happy planning!
Ready to bring your dream flowers to life? Wildflower Farm is here to make your wedding or elopement bloom with beauty! Email us at hej@wildflowerfarm.se—we can’t wait to create something magical for your special day!
Looking for more wedding magic? Check out our blog post featuring Annika & Max’s Garden-Inspired Bridal Bouquet & Boutonnière for more floral inspiration and creative ideas!
Photo Credit: Maggie Grace Photography (Instagram)
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