Green I dos: How to plan a sustainable wedding

outdoor wedding set up

The carbon footprint of a wedding in the UK is equivalent to driving a car around the world twice – both create 14.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Ahead of wedding season, sustainability experts from BusinessWaste.co.uk teamed up with leading wedding planner Georgie Mitchel from Georgina Rose Events to share the best ways to make a wedding more sustainable, while also saving some money. Georgie says: "Having been involved in hundreds of weddings, it's hard to see the amount of waste that is produced from that one day. However, it's so good to hear that couples are looking at ways to be more green! Here are my tips for having a sustainable wedding day."

1) Send digital invitations Most couples have a website for their wedding event nowadays, so why not go digital with the invitations? This will reduce the amount of paper waste compared to physical ones, but also save you a few hundred pounds. Digital invitations are also highly customisable, so you can make them to perfectly suit your theme.

2) Pick a 'green' venue Choose a venue that loves the planet as much as you love your spouse! Look for places that are beautiful and all about sustainability. Whether it's through solar power, waste recycling programs, or using local and organic materials, make sure your venue practices what it preaches when it comes to being green.

3) Get creative with the decorations Think potted plants that double as favours or vibrant DIY décor! If you're not crafty, just make sure those beautiful floral arrangements find a home after the party wraps up. Giving flowers to guests offers a beautiful reminder of the day and is a smart way to reduce waste.

4) Go for local food Look into different caterers and check how they source their ingredients. Aim for that farm-to-table freshness that tastes better but also reduces the carbon footprint of your wedding breakfast. It's all about supporting local farmers and enjoying deliciously fresh food at your celebration.

5) Offer different transport options Are there many guests coming from out of town? Encourage them to carpool or, better yet, arrange some stylish shuttles. It's all about keeping those cars off the road while making sure everyone gets to and from your wedding on time and easily.

6) Reuse and resell Say no to single-use items! Scout out second-hand shops or online marketplaces for chic wedding essentials that you can reuse. After your big day, keep the cycle going by selling on any items you won't need again. This saves you money, keeps your wedding budget under control, and helps towards a beautifully sustainable wedding.

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