Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting things many people will do in their lifetime. It’s a day to celebrate love, commitment, and unity. However, weddings can unintentionally be wasteful, with unnecessary waste which harms the environment. In case you’re planning a wedding and looking for ways to go green, here are some sustainable ideas to keep in mind.

1. Choose a Natural Venue: One of the easiest ways to have an eco-friendly wedding is selecting a natural venue like a garden, a forest, or a beach. Using natural lighting and outdoor spaces will reduce the need for electricity, air-conditioning, and heating, and also help you save on costs associated with energy consumption. Consider choosing a venue who also values the importance of being eco-friendly such as Tampa Bay Watch. Tampa Bay Watch not only understands the importance of being eco-friendly but also prioritizes the protection and restoration of the Tampa Bay estuary through educational programs. They also strongly encourage couples, their guests, volunteers and staff to take action to lessen our impact on the environment.
2. Use Recyclable and Biodegradable Materials: From wedding invitations, decor items, to tableware, attempt to use as many recyclable or biodegradable materials as possible. Consider using electronic or recycled paper for invitations and digitize your RSVPs. Avoid using single use plastic! This is typically a catering upgrade but it’s worth the extra costs to use real china & flatware to avoid the single use plastic sitting in landfills. Amici’s Catered Cuisine includes real china and flatware in all of their wedding packages at an affordable price! So check them out! Lastly avoid balloons as they wind up in our oceans, lakes, landfills and never break down.
3. Cut back on Meat: The meat industry has a huge environmental impact due to greenhouse gas emissions from farming, transportation, and everything in between. Cutting back on the meat served to your wedding guests can help to reduce your wedding’s environmental footprint.
4. Use Local Services: Hiring local wedding vendors (such as caterer, DJ, florist, etc) who are as close as possible to the venue reduces the need to transport goods over a long distance. Thus reducing their carbon footprint.
5. Reduce Food Waste: According to research, approximately 40% of food is wasted. To reduce food waste, you can offer guests plenty of vegetarian options and consider working with your caterer to donate leftover food to local charities.
6. Be Mindful of Transportation: When planning your wedding, consider the need for your guests to travel to and from the location. Consider offering carpools or public transportation options to reduce emissions.
7. Choose to Reuse: Rather than purchasing a new outfit for the wedding, consider renting from a second-hand wedding clothing store, borrowing from a friend or family member, or even buying a vintage dress. Doing so enables you to reuse items rather than contributing to the unnecessary manufacturing and carbon emissions typically associated with new clothing items.

In conclusion, planning and executing an eco-friendly wedding could appear daunting at first, but adopting sustainable practices can make your wedding day more enjoyable and underscore your concern for the planet. If you have any eco-friendly wedding tips, feel free to share and implement these practices for your special day.

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