Sustainable Ceremonies: Ethical Choices for Your Wedding Day
In recent years, the importance of sustainability has influenced many aspects of our lives — including how we celebrate love. As a wedding celebrant committed to humanist values, I believe our ceremonies should reflect our ethical decisions. Sustainable ceremonies are not only kinder to the planet, but also align with principles of responsibility and mindfulness.
The average wedding omits 14.5 tons CO2e. Through making more sustainable choices, we could reduce wedding emissions by half. Sustainable Wedding Alliance says this could save around 3,985,500 tons CO2e – equivalent to nearly 900,000 cars off the road for a year.
By making thoughtful choices in every aspect of your wedding—from pre-ceremony planning to post-ceremony celebrations—you can create a memorable day that honours both your love for each other and your commitment to the planet. Below, I share some tips for planning a sustainable wedding.
Sustainable Pre-Ceremony Tips
Choosing your Venue: Selecting an eco-friendly venue is a significant step towards a sustainable wedding. Look for venues that prioritise sustainability through energy-efficient practices, waste reduction, and the use of renewable resources. Outdoor venues like botanical gardens or eco-resorts are gorgeous choices that also highlight the beauty of nature. Or consider venues that have received green certifications, showing their commitment to environmental practices.
Photo by Stuart Dudleston at Chalk Barn
Another option is to choose a venue that supports local conservation efforts, or one that allows you to contribute to an environmental cause as part of your wedding package. This not only reduces the environmental impact of your wedding but also leaves a lasting positive legacy.
Digital Invitations: Why not send digital invitations instead of traditional paper ones? Digital invites not only reduce paper waste and carbon footprint through postage, but also offer the convenience of instant delivery and RSVP tracking. There are loads of beautifully designed e-invitation platforms available that can match your wedding theme. Plus, digital invitations can be interactive, including links to your wedding website, maps, and even a video message from the couple.
For those who prefer a tangible keepsake, use recycled paper. Many printing companies offer eco-friendly options that use soy-based inks and recycled materials, so your invitations can be both beautiful and sustainable.
Arranging Group Transport: Transportation can be a major contributor to your wedding’s carbon footprint. Group transport for your guests minimises individual car usage – which stops a traffic jam and nightmare parking issues if your venue is on or nearby residential streets!
Options like charter buses or carpooling can reduce emissions (not to mention, add some fun!) to your event. You can also encourage guests to use public transport, giving detailed instructions and arranging a shuttle service from the nearest station to your venue.
For couples looking to make an even bigger impact, consider offsetting the carbon emissions of your guests' travel. There are many organisations that offer carbon offset programs, allowing you to contribute to environmental projects that balance out the carbon footprint of your event.
Sustainable Fashion Choices: When it comes to wedding outfits, there are so many ways to make sustainable choices. Consider vintage or second-hand dresses and suits – I bought my dress second-hand and absolutely love it! I was lucky enough to wear it during a recent ceremony where the theme was wedding.
Photo by Marta Ilardo
Another option is to rent your wedding outfit instead of buying new. There are endless “once worn” wedding dress sites online. If you prefer a new look, choose designers who use eco-friendly fabrics and ethical production methods.
For bridesmaids and groomsmen, encourage them to wear outfits they already own or choose styles that can be worn again for other occasions. Sustainable fashion choices not only reduce waste but also support ethical fashion industries.
Eco-Friendly Gifts and Registry: Instead of traditional wedding gifts, consider setting up a registry that supports sustainable and ethical products. You can include items made from recycled materials and fair-trade products. Alternatively, replace gifts with asking for donations to environmental charities. You can also ask for contributions towards a sustainable honeymoon, such as an eco-friendly resort or a trip focused on conservation efforts.
Eco-Friendly Ceremony Tips
Local Suppliers Where Possible: Supporting local suppliers is an amazing way to reduce your wedding’s environmental impact. Local florists, caterers, decorators, wedding celebrants and photographers not only provide high-quality products and services, but also reduce the carbon footprint associated with travel or transporting goods over long distances. When choosing your vendors, look for those who prioritise sustainability, such as florists who use seasonal, locally grown flowers or caterers who source their ingredients from local farmers.
Sustainable Décor: Choose décor that can be reused or repurposed. For example, potted plants can serve as both centrepieces and guest favours. This reduces waste and gives your guests a lasting memory of your day. Consider using items you already own or borrowing from friends and family to create a unique and personal atmosphere without buying new.
Avoid single-use plastics and disposable items where possible. Instead, choose biodegradable or reusable options for everything from tableware to decorations. Many companies offer rental services for everything you need, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.
Avoid Releasing Doves, Balloons, or Lanterns: While releasing doves, balloons, or lanterns might look pretty, these practices can be harmful to wildlife and the environment. Instead, what about trying bubble releases or biodegradable confetti that still celebrates the moment without causing harm. Another beautiful option is a flower petal toss, using petals from locally grown, organic flowers.
Tree Planting Ritual: Incorporate a tree planting ritual into your ceremony as a symbol of growth and enduring love. This eco-friendly gesture not only adds a meaningful moment to your ceremony, but it also contributes positively to the environment! Guests can even be invited to participate. Another option is to plant a native shrub that will thrive in the local climate.
For more ceremony ideas, read my blog on the magic of humanist ceremony rituals.
Eco-Friendly Wedding Rings: Choose wedding rings made from recycled metals or conflict-free gemstones. Many jewellers now offer eco-friendly options that ensure your symbols of love are also symbols of ethical and sustainable practices. You can also consider vintage rings or family heirlooms, adding a sentimental touch to your ceremony.
Green Energy Options: If your venue allows, consider using green energy sources to power your event. Solar-powered generators or venues that use renewable energy can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding.
Sustainable Post-Ceremony Tips
Confetti Choices: Opt for biodegradable confetti or natural alternatives like dried flower petals, herbs, or leaves. These choices are beautiful and earth friendly. Avoid plastic or foil confetti, which harms wildlife and contributes towards pollution.
Photo by Wild Things Wed
Table Flowers: Use potted plants or succulents as table decorations instead of cut flowers. These living plants can be taken home by guests or donated to local community gardens, extending their life and reducing waste. If you prefer cut flowers, choose seasonal and locally grown varieties to minimise environmental impact. After the wedding, you can also donate the flowers to hospitals or nursing homes.
Sustainable Catering: Work with your caterer to create a menu that emphasises local, organic, and seasonal ingredients. This not only supports local farmers but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting food over long distances. Why not have a plant-based menu or incorporate more veggie and vegan options, which have a lower environmental impact compared to meat-based dishes.
Ensure that any leftover food is not wasted. Arrange for it to be donated to local shelters, food banks, or provide composting options for any waste that can't be donated. Many caterers can help you plan accordingly.
Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours: If you must have favours (which I don’t really see the point of most of the time), chose ones that are sustainable and useful. Items like reusable tote bags, bamboo cutlery sets, or seed packets encourage guests to continue thinking about sustainability long after the wedding is over. Avoid plastic trinkets or items that are likely to go straight to landfill after the event.
Waste Management: Set up clearly labelled recycling and compost bins at your venue to ensure that waste is properly sorted and disposed of. Work with your venue and vendors to minimize waste and ensure that any unavoidable waste is handled in the most sustainable way possible. Many venues and event planners now offer zero-waste options, helping you plan an event that leaves no trace.
Sustainable Honeymoon: Extend your commitment to sustainability into your honeymoon plans. Choose eco-friendly destinations and accommodations that prioritise environmental practices. Consider activities that support local conservation efforts, such as volunteering at wildlife reserves or participating in eco-tours. Traveling by train or bus instead of flying can also reduce your carbon footprint.
By making thoughtful choices in every aspect of your wedding, you can create a memorable day that honours both your love for each other and your commitment to the planet. From choosing eco-friendly venues and digital invitations to supporting local suppliers and incorporating green practices into your ceremony and reception, every decision counts.
As a humanist celebrant, I do what I can to minimise my environmental footprint where possible. Of course, it’s difficult to always choose the most ethical option, particularly when travelling long-distance. But by making ethical choices where we can, we can create more sustainable ceremonies and reduce our carbon footprint.