Just planning a wedding takes so much emotional energy, so how do you plan an eco-friendly wedding on top of that? There are so many creative ways to limit waste and be more resource efficient, plus make everything absolutely gorgeous.
Now that you or your loved one is engaged (congrats!), it’s time to get to the really fun part. Planning an eco-friendly wedding! I don’t know what it was, but if you’re like me, I had an absolute blast pouring over wedding details, treasure hunting for special items, and creating designs with meaning.
Now that I’ve had a few years to digest what I did right and what I could’ve done better, I’m here to help you with your big day!
If you want to have a meaningful wedding ceremony and reception that’s gentler on our glorious, sunlit, star-dusted earth, then, honey, do I have some ideas for you!
After reading, you’ll have plenty of directions to take to create the wedding of your dreams.
This post is all about creative ways to plan an eco-friendly wedding!
Thanks for planning an eco-friendly wedding!
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through my affiliate link at no extra cost to you. My recommendations are always items I buy or totally want to buy!
1. Have a Minimony
A small guest list is a wonderful way to plan an eco-friendly wedding. Less people means less resources, travel, and money. In addition to that, an intimate ceremony is romantic and meaningful in so many unique ways. It’ll also give you a chance to spend more time with each guest.
2. Limit Travel
Staying in town reduces your gas usage, travel supplies, and stress! Plus, if most of your guest list lives close-by, they can even carpool to cut down on transportation waste.
This can also apply to vendors and suppliers! Choose local resources to cut down on any unnecessary shipping or over-production.
3. Get Married at Home
If you, a friend, or family member have a beautiful house that’s practically screaming, “Have a wedding here!”, then this may be THE venue. You’ll not only save MAJOR bucks, but you’ll limit transportation and other resources you already have at home.
It’s also a sentimental choice. Anyone out there love “Father of the Bride?” One of my favorite movies!!
The home you get married in will have such special meaning tied to it, in addition to all the memories already made there.
4. Plan a Vegan Menu
This won’t be a popular idea for all, but it’s your wedding and you do you!
If you have a rather picky group, though, you could offer some vegan, some vegetarian, and maybe a meat for the persnickety guests.
However you choose to proceed, any vegan dish is better than none because you’re not only doing the earth a favor, but you’re also being kind to animals.
We didn’t have a vegan menu, but I would’ve loved to see what a chef could do with this type of cuisine. If you need ideas, check out vegan recipe blogger Foodie Gee! Her posts always sound so scrumptious! These Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Sliders look divine.
5. Choose Plantable, Biodegradable, or Garden Gadget Wedding Favors
You can get creative with wedding favors and it’s so fun! Think indoor and outdoor plants, herbs, and tiny trees. You could also think about garden touches like mini lanterns or lights.
- Seed packets with your names and wedding date tucked inside a tiny planter
- Tiny evergreen saplings (especially nice for a winter wedding!)
- Amaryllis kits
- Bird seed wreaths
- Mini lanterns
- Solar garden lights
Every love story is beautiful,
Katherine Stano
but ours is my favorite.
6. Make Your Guest Gifts Part of the Décor
Wedding favors and guest gifts can work even harder and look beautiful as décor.
- Knot a pashmina or scarf around every chair to add color and a special surprise for your guests: This is a gift they can use that evening and for future occasions.
- Create centerpieces out of evergreen saplings that guests can take home and plant.
- Use vintage teacups or creamer pitchers as vases and offer your guests the option of taking one as a parting gift.
- Mini lanterns with flameless candles: Hand out to guests as they enter the ceremony. This would look so magical at a wedding at twilight!
- Themed bottle openers: The skeleton key bottle opener featured above served as a place card holder and gift, along with the beautiful, hand-lettered names by my friend, Sarah.
7. Create Plantable Invitations, Menus, Programs, Table Numbers, and Place Cards
Papers can be infused with wildflower seeds, then planted in your garden and, voila, you’ll be seeing a pollinator garden soon! If you go this route, make sure to inform your guests they can bring them home to return to the earth.
8. Decorate with Vintage or Found Items
If you want to save money, first collect all of the pretty vessels you own that could be used as vases or candle holders. The more eclectic, the more unique your wedding will be! Mix different colors, metals, and textures. Get creative and think about things that could be upcycled or used outside their original purpose.
Then, if you’re looking for something specific for FREE, check with your local Buy Nothing Project on Facebook. Not familiar with this amazing community resource? I write all about it here.
More specifically:
- Use old canning or Mason jars, vases, Oui yogurt jars, wine bottles, teapots, teacups, pitchers, lanterns, and whimsical candle votives to arrange your flowers: A smorgasbord of vessels looks so chic, is cheaper, and will create a more eco-friendly wedding style.
- Grab up your knickknacks that tell YOUR story and add them to your tables:
- Favorite books
- Retro jewelry box
- Antique trays
- Quirky figurines
- Old dinner bells
- Vintage clocks
- Rustic, wooden boxes
- Aged lanterns
- Retired horseshoes
- Ornate mirrors
- Art Deco typewriter
- Vintage purse to hold cards or programs
- Eccentric salt and pepper shakers
- Weathered signs
- Antique cameras
9. Display Quotes in Pre-Loved Frames
Quotes are such an interesting and impressive touch to your wedding. Tuck them into your table décor, using frames you already have, find through thrifting, or are given to you for free.
As a shoutout to all the writers out there, try to give the authors quote credit. I have a love quote I wrote many years ago that’s been noted throughout the online world as “Anonymous.” So if you see this quote…
“Every love story is beautiful, but ours is my favorite.” -Katherine Stano*
…that would be written by me and not Anonymous, though I’m sure Anonymous is quite a nice chap!
*I wrote this for Hallmark Cards in the early 2000s and why I remember it so much is that I wrote it when I was totally single and never really had much of a love story of my own! Most likely, my inspiration was a celebrity crush, like Russell Crowe, Gladiator era. So, there’s a fun fact for ya!
10. Use Grandma’s China
With a smaller wedding party, you might be able to use your own family china or collect an array of vintage patterns from an antique shop. I absolutely love this look of different designs and colorful place settings.
Another idea is to find all blue and white in a variety of styles. That would be gorgeous!
11. Hire an Eco-Friendly Florist
There is nothing like fresh flowers dramatically cascading over an archway or happily welcoming you to your table at the reception. Before you choose your floral plan, you might check into florists who prioritize eco-friendly practices into their designs. Here are some ideas:
- They don’t use floral foam or other materials that get tossed in the landfill.
- Check into arrangements that use natural or reusable elements to give bouquets their structure. Lemons and limes look gorgeous in a clear vase and even used as the focal point.
- Wrap natural raffia, burlap, or jute ribbons around vases to dress them up.
- Use all compostable materials in your floral centerpieces.
- Procure local or in-season flowers and greenery.
Related Posts
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35+ Chic Environmentally Friendly Wedding Favors Your Guests Will Rave About
12. Purchase Carbon Offsets
To counter your environmental impact, you can purchase carbon offsets! Terrapass is a company that funds climate initiatives that help restore rainforests, water pollution, and homelands of indigenous peoples and endangered species. When you buy carbon offsets, you contribute to these projects that address major global challenges we all face.
Want to know more about carbon offsets and reducing your carbon footprint? Read about Terrapass here. To view their wedding packages, explore that info here.
13. Ask for Donations to a Charity in Lieu of Traditional Wedding Gifts
You’re a modern couple, so you probably know by now that you can add a charity to your registry. We added a dog rescue to our list. Because dogs are the best!
If you get married out of town, you could donate to the local food pantry. Or, if you choose a beach location, ask for donations for an ocean conservation group.
I think this not only helps an organization financially, but can raise awareness to causes that are near and dear to your heart.
14. Set Up a Fund for Important House Projects Instead of a Wish List of Smaller Gifts
If you have an older house that needs to be updated or upgraded to a more energy efficient system, you want to add some earth-friendly landscaping, or you’re saving for a special home, this is a wonderful option to reduce your carbon footprint by opting out of lots of tangible gifts.
15. Wear Accessories You Already Own or Family Heirlooms
This is advice I’m telling 2021 Me because your good friend here overdid it on accessories. I LOVE SPARKLE so it’s a real weakness. I will say, though, that I found antique and vintage treasures that definitely checked the box for my “something old.” AND for something that’s given new life and another chapter to its story.
Start off your eco-friendly wedding
Kat Stano
with an eco-friendly engagement!
Antique and vintage engagement rings
are absolutely in vogue,
but also such great statement pieces
toward earth-conscious living.
There are SO MANY absolutely exquisite antique gems out in the world and at every price point. Some are fine jewelry, while others are fabulous costume pieces. Here are three vintage and antique jewelry stores I highly recommend:
Walton’s Jewelry
Perhaps where all your jewelry dreams will come true, Walton’s is a woman-founded, woman-owned, and family jewelry store that’s been in business for three generations. Go to their site and you are in jewelry heaven. I’m not kidding! Their pieces are absolutely magical and romantic…and you’re guaranteed to fall head over heels for multiple Art Deco treasures anytime you visit their page. Oh, and Julie, the owner, is a CLASS ACT and will make your experience a memorable, beautiful one.
MaeJean Vintage
Owned by two sisters, this jewelry boutique is a wonderland of whimsical and classic pieces. They specialize in restoring pre-loved jewels and gems that hail from various time periods, including quirkier pieces with some major personality. They also are known for a warm and receptive customer experience that I’ve personally appreciated when I’ve written their shop. I’ve only purchased online, but they have the cutest in-person showcases for people looking for their next little pretty!
Amore Treasure
I became obsessed with this Etsy shop when looking for wedding accessories. Their hair combs are so stunning, but I’m also enthralled with their earrings, necklaces, and rings! Some of the pieces come with a little history of the era or the meaning behind the style. The shop owner is also very, very nice. Fun fact: She’s been commissioned to create jewelry for period exhibits, movie costuming, and celebrities strutting across the red carpet.
16. Borrow a Friend’s Dress or Veil
Not only is this your “something borrowed,” but if your friend or family member offers you a dress, it’s worth considering for practical, eco-friendly wedding reasons! You may have to do alterations, but that’s usually the case with a new dress, too. You’re saving so many resources–energy, materials, labor, shipping–when you repurpose a dress.
17. Serve Earth-Friendlier Chocolate
Who knew chocolate could be a problem? I mean, GOSH. For you chocolate lovers out there, chocolate manufacturing standards are something to be aware of. I know, I know, can’t we trust ANYONE to do the right thing? Do we have to look EVERYTHING up to see what’s behind the curtain?
It’s frustrating, but that’s why the chocolate scorecard was created. To see which brands are ranking high in high standards, eco-friendly methods, and ethical practices, check out this list.
Tony’s Choco Lonely is at the top of the chocolate scorecard and, guess what? They do custom wrappers! Choose from a bunch of adorable templates to give chocolate as wedding favors, gift bag treats, or dessert bar delights. An eco-friendly wedding win!
18. Upcycle Wine Corks
Wine corks can be made into giftable coasters, place card holders, and table numbers. If you have, like, a ton of corks (no judgment here!), save them from the landfill and use them for a cool favor or displayable feature.
19. Use Plantable Pens for Your Guestbook
Check out Live Coco on Etsy to find biodegradable ballpoint pens you can plant in your garden. These pens could also be perfect wedding favors!
We didn’t use plantable pens because I didn’t know they existed at the time. Otherwise, I would’ve been all-in on that! We did use greeting cards instead of a guest book, so that loved ones could write longer messages if they liked. Not everyone did it, much to my chagrin, but it was a fun element to incorporate that was a major part of our story: We met at Hallmark…where I write greeting cards!
Pro Tip:
Kat Stano
Display prominent signage and instructions
for favors, guest book, programs, and seating arrangements
so that guests don’t miss
all that detail you put your heart into!
20. Serve Locally Grown Fruits & Veggies That are In-Season
Whether it’s your hometown or another location, you can do an eco-friendly wedding by keeping food sources local. You’re supporting the community, plus cutting down on shipping and transportation.
Also consider local candy shops, bakeries, and food trucks!
21. 86 the Tablecloths
If decorative farmhouse tables are available, you might prefer to reveal their natural beauty and skip the linens. This will save on the water, electricity, and supplies it takes to launder the tablecloths.
Florals, candles, and place settings can anchor the entire design and complement the gorgeous wood grain.
22. Rent Suits or Tuxes
This may be the first and last suit some of the men ever wear in their lives, so you can cut down on waste and rent a dapper option from a men’s shop or bridal boutique. These tailors usually offer super easy ship-back bags and mailing labels so that the guys have a worry-free wardrobe.
If only it were that worry-free for the girls…
23. Source Ceremony Materials From Your Personal Belongings or Friends
If you have a flower girl, use a basket, purse, or metal pail you already have for her petals. You can add ribbons and flowers or even little charms to decorate it! For our wedding, we used my great-grandmother’s dainty candy dish that had a little handle.
24. Opt for Cruelty-Free Fabrics If Possible
If you can purchase from an ethical dress designer or boutique, that’s icing on your gorgeous, eco-friendly wedding cake! I understand that this isn’t always feasible or affordable, but it’s something to be aware of.
Fabrics to Avoid:
- Wool and cashmere: To get these luxury fabrics, farm animals like sheep, goats, and alpacas endure harsh treatment, less protection from cold temps without their wool, and, later, brutal deaths for their meat. Plus, raising these peaceful grazers is a huge impact on the environment. Look for other quality fabrics that are vegan and sustainable. This is a great article by Sentient Media about the environmental and emotional impact of cashmere.
Alternative: You can find other haute apparel like vegan leathers that use zero materials made from animals. This stunner of a dress from Modern Citizen is the perfect example of style and compassion.
Trims to Avoid:
- Feathers: I know, I know, they’re cute! BUT, animals are tortured for these fluff details that aren’t really worth it when it hurts another creature. The only exception to this rule is using found feathers that have already naturally dropped from the birds.
Alternative: Pampas grasses create a feathery, ethereal look. I LOVE pampas grasses.
This Etsy shop makes hair combs out of dried flowers and pampas and they are extraordinary. Check out AyanaFloralDesign for that feathery feel! Tip: When looking at these types of hair accessories, double check the materials. Some sellers will sneak a few feathers into the design.
- Fur: Gentle-natured animals like foxes and rabbits are cruelly killed for fur, which is heartbreaking just imagining their pain. I think taking better care of our earth includes taking better care of our animals. You could try a faux fur option, however, some of the fast fashion options can be made with non-eco-friendly materials and processes. In this case, I’d look for a high-quality faux fur.
Alternative: The company, Spirithoods, is an Oeko-tex® certified and eco-friendly maker of high-end faux fur coats that are produced with sustainable materials and eco-conscious practices. They also have charming product descriptions with intriguing animal facts, including a reminder that they donate to protect endangered species and their natural habitats.
Shoe Materials to Avoid:
- Leather and other animal skins: Since your day is all about love, make your eco-friendly wedding even lovelier by saying no to accessories made through insufferable practices. There are so many other options for shoes and bags now! It’s brilliant. One caveat: Vintage leather you already own or found in thrift shops can be one way to go because you’re not letting something that’s been previously made and pre-loved go to waste.
Alternative: Immaculate Vegan has elegant shoes and boots that are ethically and compassionately made. You can also find some adorable purses and wallets. Pixie Mood is another vegan, plus climate positive company that makes unique bags. Also, check out Melie Bianco, an additional vegan leather purse brand with some fanciful designs.
Summary of Eco-Conscious & Compassionate Brands:
25. Get Creative with Items You’ll Only Use Once
- Ask your cake baker if they have a fancy cake stand and cake cutting set you can use, so you don’t have to buy them.
- Instead of buying a whole new notebook (like I did!) to write your vows, why not tuck them inside a beloved novel, either by writing them on the inside cover or adding them onto a handmade bookmark? If your photographer’s got an eye for detail, that would be a nice moment to capture!
- Skip the garter and bouquet toss. Not sure how many of us enjoy hiking up our dresses in front of Grandma or wasting money on an extra bouquet so that Maddie, the 4-year old niece, can outshine your sensational single friends when she catches the flowers. Skip these traditions and you’ll not only be saving the earth, but saving your friends’ and family’s sanity!
- If you do buy any jewelry or accessories, make sure you’ll want to wear them on future occasions.
- Create boutonnieres with vintage brooches or use lapel pins that can be worn for other dressy events.
- Reuse your decorative frames from the ceremony and reception to frame your new wedding photos.
26. Hire a Wedding Planner
Wedding planners know EVERYONE and EVERYTHING. Instead of spending days, weeks, and months calling vendors, driving to several locations, and wasting precious time and resources scoping out ideas, a wedding planner can step in and coordinate a lot.
Wedding planners will recommend excellent vendors, share décor secrets, and steer you away from disastrous decisions. They’ll also be a good sounding board during the whole planning process when no one else in your world really cares about eucalyptus greenery or what drinks go with tofu sliders.
Okay, they MIGHT care about the drinks.
You can also find a wedding planner who has reasonable pricing. Our planner, Aimee, was an absolute gem and lifesaver. Her expertise and kindness were worth every penny and even more pennies than she charged!
Aimee pulled together a wedding with an insane (no, literally INSANE) amount of décor, alongside dealing with me when I got sand in my contacts while I was standing on the boardwalk (aka, the aisle). She and her wonderful assistant even brought us aperitifs as soon as the ceremony ended.
Need an Aimee in your life? You can find her at Amanda Rose Weddings.
27. Don’t Do Any Major Procedures or Unfamiliar Treatments Too Close to Your Wedding Day
For example, if you’ve never dyed your hair blonde, don’t do this two days before your wedding. If it doesn’t turn out like you expect, then you’ll be spending even more money, resources, and panic to fix it!
Wanna know a story? About a week before my wedding, I decided to have a dental procedure. I’d been numbed many times before, but on this one occasion, the numbing needle bruised my chin. Like, that NEVER had happened in my life! And I’ve been going to this dentist for YEARS and I love my dentist! (And I typically do NOT love dentists.)
So here I was with a sizable purple blotch on my face that was going to need some major makeup miracle work to avoid looking like I got into a bachelorette brawl (though that would’ve been a better story).
I had to spend time researching “home remedies,” so I was buying supplements and pineapple juice and hoping it would go away by the big day.
It didn’t.
My photographer: “Is that something that’s always there or is that new?” It’s new, bro.
So, what I’m saying is, I’m your cautionary tale! Try to schedule things in advance:
- Facials: Don’t do this like the night before your wedding unless you’ve done it a bunch (even though, things could still go awry) or you have skin of steel that does not react to anything.
- Waxing: Um, definitely don’t do this last-minute if you’ve never done it.
- Eyebrows
- New cut and color you’ve never done
- Spray tan: Again, practice months before.
- Skin peels or whatever hellacious-ness you can get yourself into at the dermatologist
- Massage cupping therapy: Don’t get me wrong, I am the FIRST in line for massage and cupping is really awesome, but if you have sensitive skin, it could give your back a purple-y polka dot vibe! So schedule this either WAY before the wedding or after!
- DENTAL stuff
28. Use Metal Straws
Ditch the plastic straws and opt for metal straws your guests can take home with them! How would you go about this? My first instinct is to talk with your wedding planner, but if you don’t have a wedding planner, collaborate with your caterer to see if they’ll make metal work for ya!
I use these straws at home. They come with a tiny cleaning brush and carrying case and they’re actually really good. I know the paper version isn’t everyone’s favorite and I understand why. But these metal straws with silicone tips are comfortable and angst-free!
They also come with a branded Coca-Cola design which is pretty doggone adorable.
It’ll be a bit of an investment, but you also won’t have to buy guest favors because these can be the guest favors!
If you’re getting married at the beach, this is a great way to share awareness about the impact of plastic straws on marine life without being too nerdy about it. (I’m nerdy enough for both of us!)
Eco-Friendly Wedding Wrap-Up
I hope you now feel like an eco-friendly wedding expert! Because, hello, you totally are! Please let me know in the comments what ideas resonated with most. Lots of love!
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Awesome eco-friendly wedding ideas! Love the fact that all of them are practical!
Thank you, Hari! I appreciate that! My hope is that these tips are doable for anyone!
I got married a few years ago and love all your ideas.
Congratulations, Louise! Thank you for your note, too! I appreciate it!
Interesting ideas! Many of them can be used during other types of celebrations. I was not so eco-friendly when I got married. We lived in Thailand and decided to have a beach wedding. All our family came! It was beautiful ❤ Thank you for sharing! I love your photos!
Thank you, Sasha! Yes, I think they could be incorporated in lots of other events–so true! A wedding in Thailand on the beach sounds dreamy! No worries–not everything I did was eco-friendly either, sad to say! We also got married on the beach on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. The beach is my happy place, for sure:-)
Congratulations on your beautiful wedding. You have such gorgeous photos of your special day. I like the idea of having a small, intimate weddings and of using preloved items.
Thanks for sharing these unconventional ideas. And sorry about your dental incident. I hope the mark is gone.
Thank you, Ava! I appreciate your sweet comments! It’s so fun to think of creative ways to dress things up. At least it is for me, haha! Yes, the mark is healed, thank goodness. I hope that story helps someone else–don’t procrastinate, lol! 🙂
You have some great ideas and suggestions here! Loved it!
Thank you, Elisa! I’m so happy you enjoyed them! 🙂
I have my own wedding coming up next spring & am totally going to steal some of these ideas ❤️
Hi, Taeya! Congratulations and best wishes on your upcoming wedding! Yes, go for it! And if you do use of any of these, I’d love to hear about it or see pics! And if you have any questions about anything on the list, I’m happy to help! I love this kind of stuff. Happy Planning! 🙂
So many amazing ideas for an eco-friendly wedding! My favorite idea is plantable invitations, etc. That would be amazing to see the plant bloom every year and be reminded of the beautiful couple who got married. Thanks for sharing these ideas!
Oh, thank you, Jenna, for sharing that! It’s fun hearing what resonates with people. I am a major plant nerd so I think that would be so awesome to receive something plantable as a wedding favor. I appreciate your note! 🙂
What a beautiful wedding! I love vintage items, cake and flowers. My husband’s niece will get married in 7 months, and I`ll forward this post to her.
Oh, thank you so much, Olga! I hope your husband’s niece has a wonderful wedding day and that these tips might help! 🙂
So many clever and creative ideas here! I’ll definitely be saving this one for later. Great post and well written too. Thanks so much for the tips!
Corrinne,thank you so much! I so appreciate that! Your kind words made my day! 🙂
I love your ideas, especially the quotes and grandma’s china. Congrats on your wedding, you look so stunning!
You are too kind, Domii! Thank you so much! I’m such a fan of passed-down treasures. I love that you love that, too! 🙂