19 February
As the world becomes more awake of the many risks associated with rising global temperatures, many of us feel the need to make serious changes in the way we live and throw functions. There are some other major waste agitators that we need to look at. One of them is big fat functions and especially weddings. Events such as weddings commonly require a lot of resources. Thus they also create a ton of waste and pollution.
By choosing green and sustainable alternatives to a variety of elements including the stationery, food, venue and even jewellery, couples can drastically reduce their carbon footprint and still celebrate their love in style. Take the lead and leave this earth more beautiful for the coming generations.
If you love the idea of planning an eco-friendly wedding but don’t know where to start, we’ve created a guideline to make your way easy. You might not be able to follow all the tips, yet you can certainly follow doable things and can ensure minimum waste wedding.
1. Buy a sustainable wedding dress
Wedding dress markets are getting huge each year, especially in India. This markets annually leave tons of fabric waste and leaves harmful footprints on the earth. Fortunately now sustainable yet chic choices for the big day are close-at-hand. Many brides have been rethinking their wedding dresses, including opting for a more low key and sustainable choices for their big day. Rental and up cycling bridal wear is also on the rise, as brides become increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of a dress that you only wear once.
Eco-conscious brands are emerging like never before.
2. Vintage and pre-owned wedding dresses
By wearing vintage and pre-owned wedding wear on your wedding day, you’re not only extending the life of a pre-existing dress but also saving a lot of textile waste. It is also likely to be a one-of-a-kind piece. Or take out that glamours authentic vintage wedding dress of your grandma or mummy from her pitara. Yes! You can also revamp your mother’s or grandmother’s wedding dress. This plan works if you’re sort of options in the final seconds besides that dress will create forever memories and legacy for looming generations.
3. Digital wedding invitations
Every day, millions of people print invitations on fancy paper, after the wedding the paper either is wasted or thrown away in a dustbin.
If you have an itch to do something that would reduce wastage and also help save the environment then going Digital for a wedding invitation is the only idea which works brilliantly.
The wedding card market in India alone is worth Rs 8000 to Rs 10,000 crore, can you imagine the number of trees sacrificed for this purpose? With digital invites, you can invite guests without wasting a single piece of paper. So unknowingly see how much good you can do for the environment!
If you’re planning a zero wastage wedding function, you’ve probably already juggled with the idea of going digital with your wedding invitations. The positives are many, of course. Firstly, your digital wedding invitations won’t waste any paper plus it’s lighter on your pocket as well.
4. Food and beverages
It is pivotal to buy local and organic food it is easily accessible and organic food is fresh and nutritious. By supporting the farmers and local distributors you are playing an important role in the economy.
Try to design your food menu which involves in-season fruits and vegetables. For beverages look around and order fresh drinks from nearby breweries and wineries.
Often people end up wasting so much food, these days so many NGO’s and organisations are working to distribute this excess food.
It is advised to contact such an organisation before your D-day to make sure the excess food reaches to needy animals and humans.
One such organisation is Robbin Hood Army- https://robinhoodarmy.com/
5. Recycle Decorative materials like flowers and papers
Source the decoration flowers directly from the local markets. Because flowers ordered from far places takes a huge toll on the environment. And the good thing is there are many ways one can experiment to recycle these flowers.
- These used flowers can be decomposed and can be used as fertiliser.
- These used flowers can be converted into natural Holi colours
- They can be converted into agarbattis / incense sticks
- Leftover flowers can be used as natural cloth dying means
( you can contact organisations involved in recycling units)
6. No plastic Cutlery to serve food and beverages
Do you know all those plastic cutleries and straws will go in landfills and it takes some 100 years to decompose that plastic completely?
So for the sake of the environment choose other cutlery options like steel, other metal or glass cutlery.
To your wonders, edible cutlery is also available now in the market. We must boast on the thing that we have an edible cutlery manufacturing startup company Bakeys in our country. Which is founded and run by a woman?
We hope this checklist will help you to make the most sustainable choices. Isn’t it Inspiring right? We encourage you to share this information with your engaged friends so they too can plan an eco-friendly wedding.