INSPIRATION
SAY I DO TO AN ECO UNION
MERCEDES FROM 4YAPARTY WEDDINGS AND EVENTS GIVES US HER TOP TIPS FOR A SUSTAINABLE WEDDING
DON ’ T BUY ANYTHING … YET We can become impulsive when we get engaged - we see things that are wedding related and want to start accumulating wedding stuff . But , remember everything you buy has a carbon footprint . Really think about your big day ; how you want it to look and feel before you start buying things . Create a mood board and discuss it with your partner . Your ideas may change and then you ’ ll end up with lots of wedding stuff you won ’ t use ! Ask yourself , is it necessary and is there an alternative that ’ s more eco-friendly ?
HIRE , DON ’ T BUY If you can avoid buying it then hire it . It ’ s the best way to reuse and reduce . There are so many things you can hire for weddings now too . Décor and styling , wedding attire , crockery … you can even hire bouquets now ! When you hire an item , the carbon footprint of that item reduces each time it ’ s used and you save money because hiring is almost always more cost effective than buying new .
KEEP IT LOCAL From the venue to the suppliers and the food and produce - keep it all local and reduce the carbon footprint of the whole wedding . You ’ ll also support small local businesses and keep the economy churning in your local area . It ’ s a win - win ! There are so many amazing suppliers in Kent , too .
TRAVEL LIGHT By keeping the event local it gives your guests the opportunity to take more sustainable routes to the venue . Public transport , car sharing or even hire a bus and get everyone to the venue in one trip ! This will significantly reduce the carbon emissions for the wedding .
BE CAUTIOUS My last tip is to be cautious . Sometimes businesses can use the right sustainable ‘ buzzwords ’ to lure you in but have no evidence to back up their claims . Don ’ t be greenwashed into believing that every ‘ green claim ’ is true without seeing the facts first . Any truly sustainable wedding business will be delighted to show you the evidence to back up their words . Check out the Sustainable Wedding Alliance for local wedding suppliers who have been sustainably vetted .
Follow Mercedes on Instagram for more tips and ideas for a sustainable wedding @ 4yaparty
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