Three tips for sustainable and elegant wedding decor
On a day as significant and special as your wedding day, you want to make sure you’re staying true to your sustainability values, with decor that’s both beautiful and kind to the environment. However, a sustainable wedding generally lends itself to a more rustic theme, with homemade items created from biodegradable fabrics being a popular choice for eco-conscious couples. So, what do you do if you want to go the more elegant route, without it costing the planet? Try these tips.
Support small local businesses
Large companies are known for mass-produced items, which are often made from environmentally harmful materials, like plastic, and contribute to an extreme amount of waste. By sticking to small, local businesses when shopping for your wedding decor, you can both support your local community and do less damage to the environment.
No matter where you shop, try to purchase items that are made from responsibly sourced natural materials. For example, you may find a local artisan who makes a small number of bespoke, wooden furniture items that you can both use at your wedding and keep long after. With the right craftsmanship, any piece can be made to look elegant. Likewise, smaller items such as candles that are made from more eco-friendly materials – like soy wax – are often easy to find in small, local stores.
Shop secondhand or hire
If you’ve seen a particularly elegant decor item you love, why not see if you can purchase it secondhand from a couple with similar tastes? Social media can be an excellent tool for connecting with recently married couples – it’s worth reaching out to see if they have any items they’d be happy to pass on. Of course, you’ll want to spend a bit of time rummaging in your local secondhand shops, too, where you’re almost guaranteed to find stunning pieces seeking a new home. Doing so will not only help you have a sustainable wedding, but also contribute to a more circular economy.
Some items you may not have to purchase at all, further minimising your impact on the environment. This is a great option for silverware – which can often be included in a venue package – as well as flowers, with many artisans offering hand-dried bouquets that can be returned after the big day. Choose flowers with long stems in neutral and pastel tones to fit your sophisticated vision.
Go for a minimalist aesthetic
Sometimes, the easiest way to do the least harm to the environment is to simply buy less. You may feel tempted to stock up on more decor items than you actually need, so that you have more choice when it comes to decorating your venue, or to act as replacements if something is lost or broken. While a couple of reserves may be helpful, in general, your wedding venue doesn’t have to be totally decked out to feel special. You and your new spouse should be the focus of the day, not the decadent flowers or centrepieces you purchased. In fact, minimalist decor lends itself perfectly to a more elegant aesthetic, rather than an overcrowded space – buying fewer items will help you achieve your vision and protect the planet.
Mindful, sustainable choices
Once you’ve done all you can do to make your wedding decor more sustainable, it’s time to turn to the other aspects of your wedding day – like your food, entertainment, and wedding dress or tux. Each of these elements can be both elegant and sustainable, so long as you leave yourself enough preparation time to make more mindful, sustainable choices.
