Planning a Sustainable Wedding in 2022

As a generation, we are becoming increasingly aware of the impact that our actions are having on the environment. From the amount of driving we do in our vehicles through to the excessive use of plastic in our day-to-day lives, finding ways to live more sustainably has become a lifestyle choice for many. And, it seems that weddings are falling into that same bracket too. Couples are seeking new and inventive ways to still have the day of their dreams while taking into account their carbon footprint. With this, a wave of solutions and suppliers have turned their attention to helping these couples and planning a sustainable wedding in 2022 has never been easier.

Here at Carron Marquees, we help couples plan their dream marquee weddings and in this article, we’ll be showing you how to take a classic marquee wedding and turn it into a sustainable event you’re sure to love.

Why Consider a Sustainable Wedding?

Perhaps you’re making a conscious effort overall to be more sustainable? Or, maybe you’re more concerned about your wedding day because of the scale. Either way, there are many reasons why you may choose to go for a more conscious event.

Plastic Wastage

Reducing plastic usage is a key consideration for many of us and with weddings producing as much as 20kg of plastic waste, it’s no surprise that many are looking for ways to reduce this significantly. Consider things like plastic confetti, balloons and plastic wedding favours.

Food Waste

Offering a 3-course wedding breakfast may fit in with your dreams but a recent study from Sainsbury’s found that 15% of people are likely to only eat 1 or 2 of these. 15% of couples will throw away the leftovers of their wedding cake and nearly 40% of guests won’t eat their wedding favours. Not only is this a waste of money on your side, but it also contributes to overall waste in our country.

Travel

If you consider the travel miles racked up by you, your wedding party, your guests and even the suppliers, the impact that this special day could have on the atmosphere is significant. The estimates show that over 14 tonnes of C0² could be generated from a typical wedding event.

But it’s not all gloom and doom. Planning a sustainable wedding doesn’t mean eliminating all of those factors you’ve always dreamt of. It just means being more mindful about the decisions you do make and working consciously with suppliers too. So how can you plan a sustainable wedding?

Sustainable Wedding Checklist

Choose Your Location Wisely

When choosing where to host your wedding, consider travel times. A destination wedding may be high up on your list but if you’re inviting over 100 guests who have to fly to the location, you could be increasing your carbon footprint significantly. Think about:

Hosting your wedding in a location that is convenient for all of your guests.
Keeping the ceremony and reception close together to reduce travel.
Host your wedding outdoors, where possible, to make the most of natural light and reduce electricity consumption.
Research hotels and venues to understand what environmental support they offer the surrounding area.

The right venue is one that feels perfect to you and your loved one while also helping you take an active part in reducing the impact your day will have on the environment.

Consider Your Wedding Clothes

The textiles industry plays a key role in the increase of CO² in our atmosphere. For example, before a wedding dress has even been stitched together, the creation of the fabric has likely already significantly added to pollution and developed a carbon footprint. But there are ways to still glide down the aisle feeling amazing while doing so more mindfully.

Consider:

Finding a wedding designer who uses second-hand material or more sustainable manufacturing methods.
Choose eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, hemp-based silk or satin.
Rent suits and even consider renting your wedding dress too.
Consider stepping away from the norm and finding something that isn’t a wedding dress or formal suit.
Go vintage – either borrow a family heirloom dress or pop into the many vintage bridal stores across the country. You’re bound to find something unique and strikingly beautiful for your big day.

Ask your guests to consider their wedding outfits too. Perhaps you could request that they wear something they already own. Or, that they buy something they’ll be able to wear again and again – this will help to drill in your plans for sustainability across the board.

Go Local

We spoke about how impactful excessive travel can be during a wedding. But you also need to take into account the travel of your suppliers. Flowers, food and even alcohol can all rack up a significant carbon footprint, especially if you’re going exotic and importing them from abroad. The best way to reduce your impact on the environment here is to go local. Choose florists close to the venue and ones that use in-season flowers to create the bouquet and wedding decorations of your dreams. Opt for food that has been reared and prepared in local farms – not only will you help the local economy but you’ll also get the freshest and most delicious meals out of it. And, if possible, choose a local alcohol supplier too.

Reduce Unnecessary Plastic

Wasted plastic is one of the biggest complications with modern weddings. And, it’s not hard to see why. These days, everything comes wrapped in plastic. When working to a budget, it can be easy to choose cheaper plastic options for decorations, wedding favours or even confetti. But there are ways to reduce unnecessary plastic.

Consider:

Replace disposable cups or plates with reusable ones.
Eliminate plastic tokens or accessories such as straws.
Purchase biodegradable confetti or consider natural flower petals.
Recycle as much as possible.
Ask suppliers to use glass, where they can.
Avoid balloons – even those that claim to be biodegradable won’t fully break down in the way you want.
Look for ways to DIY your accessories and decor to eliminate plastic as much as possible.
Consider edible wedding guest favours like biscuits that double as name places on the table.

A sustainable wedding may take more consideration during the planning, but the benefits for the environment are ten-fold. And, you’ll be able to entirely personalise your big day so it feels just as memorable as you’ve always dreamt. Here at Carron Marquees, we support couples in planning their big day to exact specifications, including helping them to find the right sustainable suppliers and solutions. If you are considering a wedding marquee or would like to speak to a member of the team, please do get in contact with us here today.

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