Sustainability is not something that’s usually associated with weddings, but for couples that want to minimize their carbon footprint and reduce the ecological impact of their special day, there are some actions they can take such as going with a lab-grown diamond engagement ring. With that in mind, let’s go over the aspects of a wedding that can be tweaked to ensure that there is an eco friendly wedding in the US as much as possible, giving you and your guests peace of mind in the process.
1. Don’t Choose a Mined Diamond for Your Engagement Ring
Planning your wedding in the US is all about making sure it’s perfect, and that can include decisions like choosing lab created diamond engagement rings from vendors like VRAI.
These rings make use of lab grown diamonds, which are identical to mined diamonds, and so sparkle just as bright, and VRAI’s diamonds are grown from a zero emissions process so it’s a win-win.
You don’t have to make any compromises in terms of the designs either, as man-made diamond engagement rings can be cut, polished and customized to your liking.
2. Seek Out Sustainable Venues and Vendors With Eco-Friendly Practices
When looking for venues or vendors to work with, be sure to do your research. Try finding suppliers who practice sustainable methods such as using local produce, renewable energy sources, and recycled materials where possible.
Not only will you help reduce the environmental impact of your wedding, but you’ll also support small businesses that prioritize eco-friendly practices in their operations. It might take a bit more effort upfront but it’s worth it, and you’ll find plenty of companies that fit the bill in the glamping wedding niche in the US. Plus, when your guests know they are supporting a good cause too, everyone wins!
3. Use Locally Grown Flowers or Plants to Decorate the Ceremony Site
When it comes to decorating for your wedding, nothing looks as stunning and luxurious as flowers, which can come with an environmental cost. However, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly option that is both beautiful and sustainable at the same time, then locally grown plants or flowers have to be a top priority.
This will immediately minimize carbon emissions from transportation and also provide local farmers with much needed income. You can choose a variety of seasonal blooms in different colors and styles according to your preference, so your ceremony site will still look exactly how you envisioned it.
4. Serve Organic, Plant-Based Food at the Reception
Food is the heart of a good wedding reception, and rather than using animal products in any of the dishes, it’s more sustainable to look into organic and plant-based alternatives.
These are healthier for you, and also better for the environment in most cases. This is because serving organic produce ensures that fewer toxins have been used during their production, while opting for a meatless meal reduces emissions from livestock farming. Better yet, there are so many delicious plant based dishes out there that your guests won’t even notice the difference.
5. Send Electronic Invitations Instead of Paper Ones
For a green wedding in the US, it’s best to avoid paper invitations and opt for e-invites instead. This is ecologically sound, as well as being more time-efficient, as there’s no need to wait for the invitations to be delivered.
It’s even a money-saving move, as the cost of printing and postage will be eliminated. You can easily create e-invites on popular sites such as Canva or Evite, taking advantage of the free templates they provide for precisely this purpose. These websites provide tracking options as well, so you know exactly who has RSVPed, which is perfect if you need a quick headcount for catering purposes too.
6. Opt For Biodegradable Décor Items Rather Than Plastic or Non Recyclable Materials
You want your wedding venue to look incredible, and you can do this in a sustainable way if the décor items you prioritize are environmentally friendly.
For instance, instead of using plastics and non-biodegradable materials like styrofoam or balloons, opt for biodegradables in their place. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can still get creative with your decorations, but without the guilt.
Consider wood cutouts, paper lanterns, biodegradable confetti, and bamboo straws, all of which are great planet-positive alternatives to traditional options, that will also make your wedding look just as beautiful without cutting corners in terms of its eco credentials.
7. Provide Guests with Low Waste Favors
Wedding favors are a great way to show your guests how much you appreciate them and thank them for attending. But, traditional favors such as small trinkets or candy can have a huge environmental impact.
To reduce waste, consider providing low-waste alternatives like potted plants that people can take home with them and reuse in their own gardens. Or even better, donate the money that would’ve been used on these trinkets to charity instead. This will not only help cut down on plastic waste, but also make sure your wedding is helping those who need it most too.
8. Avoid the Temptation of a Destination Wedding
Destination weddings can be tempting – who doesn’t want to get married on a beach in Mexico? But it’s wise to remember that travel has an environmental impact, and traveling for your wedding may not be as eco-friendly as you think.
Not only are flights energy intensive, but they also produce far more CO2 emissions than cars or buses do. In addition, destination weddings require additional resources such as decorations, food and transportation, all of which will put extra strain on local ecosystems if sourced from non-sustainable sources.
If you simply must go ahead with the destination wedding plan, make sure to offset your carbon footprint or keep your guest list to the bare minimum.
The Bottom Line
The final thing to think about when planning an eco friendly wedding in the US is that you can’t save the world alone and so you shouldn’t beat yourself up too much if not every element of the day is completely sustainable. As individuals, we don’t have much power to protect the environment, and it’s really down to governments and big businesses to make improvements that matter. So do your best, but also be kind to yourself to avoid stress.
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