In the face of climate change, many couples are turning to eco-friendly wedding options to celebrate their love sustainably. Green practices like hiring local venues, choosing organic and recycled materials, and offering plantable favours reduce environmental impact and create a memorable event aligning with modern ecological values.
Keep reading to discover more sustainable wedding ideas, including selecting locally sourced flowers, renting rather than buying decorations, opting for eco-friendly catering, encouraging green transportation options, and requesting conservation charity donations instead of traditional gifts.
Choosing an Eco-Friendly Venue
Celebrating your day with local outdoor venues can reduce your event’s carbon footprint by minimizing transportation emissions and using natural lighting. Some outdoor venues have higher environmental costs due to increased water usage and landscaping needs, while others address this issue by using sustainable solutions like brick paving. In Calgary, some eco-friendly wedding options committed to sustainable practices include:
Green Certifications
Wedding green-certitude venues ensure less ecological disruption through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource conservation. Key considerations include:
- Certifications
- Energy and water conservation practices
- Waste management
- Local sourcing
- Use of sustainable materials
- Eco-friendly transportation options
Venue Location
Choosing a wedding venue with reduced travel time can make the event more accessible for attendees and reduce environmental impact by minimizing carbon emissions. Hiring local vendors for catering, decorations, and other services further reduces transportation requirements.
Sustainable Invitations and Stationery
Eco-friendly paper or digital invitations offer an eco-conscious and stylish way to invite guests to your wedding.
Digital Invitations
Using digital invitations and RSVP systems lowers costs, saves paper, and makes responding easier for guests. You can create beautiful, eco-friendly digital invites using elegant designs, personalized messages, and eco-friendly platforms. Incorporating interactive features can highlight your sustainability efforts.
Eco-Friendly Paper Options
If you decide on eco-friendly options like recycled, plantable, and sustainably sourced paper for wedding stationery, use minimalist designs to reduce paper waste, focusing on essential information. Consider alternative place cards like edible cookies that double as favours. Combine multiple uses into single sheets and include digital elements via QR codes to link to additional information online, reducing the need for extra printed materials.
Sustainable Attire
Even wedding dresses, suits, and tuxedos can be eco-conscious.
Eco-Friendly Wedding Dresses and Suits
Consider eco-friendly wedding dresses and suits from organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and recycled fabrics. Brands like Reformation, Wear Your Love, and Pure Magnolia offer sustainable wedding attire. These materials and designers ensure environmentally conscious choices, supporting sustainable fashion practices for your special day.
Second-Hand and Vintage Options
Second-hand or vintage wedding attire reduces environmental impact, saves money, and offers unique styles. In Calgary, you can find pre-loved attire at Bridal Boutique Calgary, Genuine Design Luxury Consignment, Once Upon a Bride, Man of Distinction, The Bragging Bride, and Everthine Bridal Boutique. Explore Pinterest and local listings on Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji for more gently-used ideas and options.
Eco-Friendly Decorations
Incorporating natural, reusable, upcycled, or DIY decor can reduce environmental impact.
Natural and Reusable Decor
Consider using locally sourced flowers and greenery, incorporating natural elements like wood and stones. Opt for reusable decorations by renting linens and centrepieces and repurposing materials like mason jars and cloth fabrics. You can reuse multipurpose items like fairy lights and eco-friendly candles and donate leftover decor to local charities or community centres.
DIY and Upcycled Decorations
Create eco-friendly DIY decorations for your wedding using recycled or upcycled materials like wine bottles and scrap fabric. Some decor ideas include paper garlands, fabric banners, and wooden pallet signs. Personalizing your decorations reduces waste, saves money, and adds personality and style to your special day.
Sustainable Catering and Food Choices
Sustainable catering and minimizing food waste add to your eco-friendly wedding plans.
Local and Organic Food
Local and organic food can decrease ecological impact by minimizing transportation distances and supporting eco-friendly farming. Regional ingredients are fresher, higher in quality, and typically free from synthetic pesticides, offering a healthier dining experience. This approach also supports the local economy and community.
In Calgary, caterers like Fork + Farm Catered Events, Devour Events & Catering, and The BRDGE focus on sustainable practices. They emphasize farm-to-table methods and locally sourced, organic ingredients, ensuring your wedding meal is delicious and environmentally friendly.
Minimizing Food Waste
Reduce food waste at your wedding by accurately planning portion sizes through careful RSVP management and catering consultation. Choose between buffet or plated meals for portion control and offer flexible menu options. Opt for eco-friendly serving options such as biodegradable plates and utensils made from bamboo or recycled materials. Serving small bites reduces waste, and donating excess food to local shelters helps those in need while promoting sustainability.
Green Transportation Options
It makes eco-sense to consider practical options for your wedding day transportation.
Eco-Friendly Transportation for Guests
Promote eco-friendly transportation for guests at your wedding by encouraging carpooling, public transit use, or bike rentals. Provide information and suggestions for these options or offer shuttle services using hybrid or electric vehicles to shrink your environmental footprint and ease travel between venues.
Sustainable Transportation for the Couple
Make a grand entrance with eco-friendly transportation options for your arrival, such as electric or hybrid cars, bicycles, or a romantic horse-drawn carriage. These choices align with sustainability goals, offering a memorable and environmentally responsible start to your celebration.
Ethical and Sustainable Gifts
Aligning your wedding gifts and favours with your sustainability goals can enhance environmental stewardship.
Eco-Friendly Wedding Registries
Eco-friendly wedding registries offer experiences like spa days, cooking classes, travel vouchers, or durable, reusable items like stainless steel kitchenware and cloth napkins. Requesting handcrafted or upcycled goods supports ethical production. You could also encourage your guests to donate to environmental charities instead of giving traditional gifts to emphasize wildlife conservation or climate action.
Sustainable Favours
Eco-friendly wedding favours, such as plantable seed packets, reusable items such as bamboo straws or stainless steel bottles, and locally sourced treats, lessen environmental harm. Reflect your values by gifting personalized favours aligned with your and your partner’s interests or practical items that guests can regularly use.
Looking for More Eco-Friendly Wedding Options in Alberta?
From local venues and sustainable attire to ethical gifts and green transportation, your wedding day choices can significantly minimize your ecological footprint. Make your special day even more meaningful by supporting sustainability and inspiring others to follow suit.
Megan Sawchuk Weddings can match you and your love with the perfect venue, caterers, wedding attire, and everything in between to make your day undeniably yours.
If you're into beautiful weddings, behind-the-scenes, and you'd like to get married in Calgary or the Rockies, you've come to the right place.
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