Wedding Sustainability - As important as the commitment you’ll make when you say ‘I do.’
- Vicky Edwards
- Sep 19
- 4 min read
Sustainability is a now a major factor when it comes to wedding planning. Initially declared by some industry media as a trend, the popularity of weddings with scruples continues to rise, with many couples putting it at the top of their priorities list.
Love, it seems, really could conquer all…
“It cannot be right to manufacture billions of objects that are used for a matter of minutes, and then are with us for centuries.” - Roz Savage
While many of us have been watching our carbon footprint more carefully in recent years, it is now widely acknowledged that while weddings may have a ‘Wow!’ factor,
environmentally they can also have a pretty grim impact. As a result, many more couples
are considering sustainability when planning their big day.
According to numbers crunched by the Sustainable Wedding Alliance, the average carbon footprint of a UK wedding equates to more than the average annual footprint of a
household. And with an estimated 278,599 weddings every year taking place, that’s a bloody HUGE imprint. A veritable army of Yetis doing a decidedly destructive stomp.
It’s a sobering thought. And one that is giving couples cause to try harder. As one bride said to us recently: “We want to have children. It seemed so wrong to approach our wedding day without a care for the world we that we hope to raise a family in.”
And it is surprisingly easy to make your wedding more sustainable. Even better, it can also save you time and money. For example…Love the pre-loved. Recycled weddings are HOT! The sister platform of Rock My Wedding, Recycle My Wedding is a fantastic starting point for getting your ethical wedding into gear. Enabling you to score everything from tiaras to tea cups, after the big day you can keep the pre-love going by reselling your wedding paraphernalia.
Sustainable stationery
Try sourcing invitations and wedding stationery from suppliers that specialise in sustainable materials. Or, if you’re crafty, go homemade (just hold the glitter – theses teeny weeny twinkles are actually minuscule microplastics that pollute rivers, oceans, soil and even the air). One bride we know made VIP ticket-style invites from the covers of old notebooks and recycled gift wrap. With little more than artistic flair, glue and Sharpies she created really cool and super-personalised wedding stationery.
Alternatively, go digital and create a wedding portal in the shape of a Facebook page or
WhatsApp group. By communicating with guests digitally you’ll reduce fuel miles and
resources and save a fortune in physical invitations and postage.
Ring-a-ding-win
Many jewellers now offer ethically-sourced and Fair Trade rings. This ensures that your
wedding bands tick the sustainability box and that stones aren’t ‘blood diamonds’ (stones
mined in a conflict zone).
Another possibility is to go vintage. Last year one of Vicky’s brides was delighted to receive her late Gran’s ring during the ceremony. Not only did it have great sentimental value, but it was a lovely way of including her beloved Grandmother in the wedding.
Dressing to impress
Consider hiring your wedding dress. Cheaper and more ecologically sound, you’ll still look a million dollars and you won’t have the faff of having to clean and preserve the gown. Take a look at The Bridal Gallery (London) for inspiration: https://thebridalgalleryuk.com/hire-bridal-gown
Many charities also have bridal sections. As well as ‘worn once’ dresses, some also have
sample dresses that have been donated by manufactures and designers. Ask your local
charity shops for details, or take a look at Oxfam’s online bridal boutique:
And when it comes to repurposing an old wedding dress, why not take inspiration from a
lovely bride who decided that while her Mum’s wedding dress – a pure 1970s creation – was just not right for her; the fabric was still in really good condition. So the dress was taken apart by a family friend and two flower girl frocks were created. They even managed to get 6 hankies for the groomsmen out of it.
Love your local wedding suppliers
But one of the very best ways to make your wedding more sustainable is by tapping into
your local wedding suppliers. Reducing mileage, boosting the local economy and supporting local wedding trades, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll be able to tick every single item off your list without leaving town. Delivery is often free for local orders, too. Our little black book of wedding contacts for West Sussex weddings and Hampshire weddings is at the disposal of couples tying the knot on our patch. A personal recommendation gives an extra layer of reassurance, so we are always happy to share contacts of those from the local wedding industry that we know, first-hand, to be the very best. Wedding venues, wedding florists, wedding photographers, wedding hair and make-up, marquees and yurts, entertainment – we’re a walking talking wedding library of blockbusters!
And while nobody should have to limit their wedding to the point of forgoing everything
that is going to make their day special to them, keeping sustainability in mind is increasingly important.
As important as the commitment you’ll make when you say ‘I do.’
And if we all want a truly happily ever after, it has to be.
