Your special day doesn’t have to cost a fortune, or cost the environment. Take note of these expert tips to enjoy the celebrations, guilt-free …
Your wedding is slated to be the best day of your life, but it can also be one of the most wasteful. An average wedding will produce between 400 to 600 pounds of rubbish and approximately 60 metric tons of CO2 emissions. For reference, the average yearly carbon footprint for an individual is 16 tons, so one wedding produces almost 4 times your individual carbon footprint.
An eco wedding is a celebration where the couple tries to reduce the event’s effect on the environment. It’s easier than ever these days to find more sustainable options for catering, invitations and more, so planning a green wedding shouldn’t be more difficult than the usual affair.
Some sites even offer wedding carbon footprint calculators to assess various choices from the venue, lodging and travel to food, drink and flowers.
Previously voted Ireland’s top eco wedding venue, The Wicklow Escape owner Lisa Wilkinson says a lot of couples are now veering away from restrictive traditions for their big day. She shares her top tips for a sustainable wedding, ahead of a special Wedding Showcase event in aid of Oxfam and My Lovely Horse.
1. Consider your wedding location and try to avoid lengthy travel times for guests, in order to reduce transport emissions.
2. Hosting the ceremony and reception in the same venue will also reduce emissions.
3. Opt for local independent suppliers that have sustainability policies in place, which also reduces the environmental impact of long-distance transportation and shipping.
4. Choose locally grown, seasonal and organic produce for your wedding menus.
5. Renting wedding décor or working with a wedding venue that provides in-house dressing that is reused across weddings.
6. Using natural materials over plastics, from the hen party to wedding favours, to the menu produce and packaging.
7. Work with local florists to use seasonal wild flowers for table decorations, along with bridal bouquets and buttonholes, which can then be donated.
8. Use greenery sourced from the venue’s grounds for table decorations, where possible.
9. Opt for a pre-loved wedding dress. Oxfam has a fantastic selection of pre-loved bridal looks for the whole wedding party.
10. Send paperless save the dates, invites and thank you cards. All of these tips will also save on budget!
The Wedding Showcase Event will celebrate current wedding trends emerging with newly engaged couples, such as:
1. Personalised ceremonies
2. Unique and intimate celebrations
3. Circular fashion and sustainable choices
4. Emphasis on local produce
5. Pet-friendly options
You can also expect a showcase of the best pre-loved bridal looks from Oxfam in a circular fashion catwalk, a ‘Doggie Catwalk’ with My Lovely Horse Rescue and a demonstration on how to make your own wedding rings with Silver Works.
The event will take place on Sunday, October 27 from 2-5pm. Tickets cost €30 (plus booking fee) for two people. All ticket proceeds go to animal welfare charity My Lovely Horse Rescue and Oxfam. Spaces are limited, book here; www.eventbrite.com.
