Weddings might be milestones for couples, but these events can also be incredibly wasteful. If you’re someone who is concerned about the future of the planet, you may be worried about the impact your big day will have on the environment. There are many ways to cut back on waste and throw a fun and eco-friendly wedding. Consider these suggestions and discover practical ways to conserve.  

Stay Close to Home

Going green with your eco-friendly wedding begins with the venue you select. Picking a destination that is close to where a majority of your guests live is a sustainable idea. The farther away the venue, the more likely it is your family and friends will drive in separate vehicles. You should limit the amount of travel involved on your big day. This way you’ll limit carbon emissions which contribute to global warming. Pick a nearby venue and encourage your guests to carpool if possible. 

If the reception space is far from the location where the ceremony will be held, consider booking a shuttle service. Not only is this an eco-friendly idea, but it makes life easier for your guests and reduces the odds of anyone getting lost.

Find Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations

Traditional wedding invitations are incredibly wasteful. Typically, an invitation suite includes the actual invite, a response card and envelope, information about the reception, and driving instructions. Instead of overloading an envelope with papers that most of your guests will lose or throw away, take a different route and go paperless. Digital invitations have become popular in recent years. They offer couples an easier way to track the responses of each guest without any need for endless stationery. 

If you really want paper invites, look at your options for recycled materials. Some companies even make stationery containing seeds. The papers are meant to be planted in the ground after being used. This way they will add a touch of green to the world while eliminating unnecessary wedding waste. 

Have a Plan for Extra Food

After a wedding, a good amount of food usually remains untouched. While you can take some home or give out to-go boxes to guests, this might not be enough to take care of all the leftovers. One great idea is to give the excess to a local shelter. According to research, food waste contributes to over 4 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. By giving your leftovers to a homeless organization that can benefit from them, you’re helping those in need and doing what’s right for the future of the planet. 

Forgo a Wedding Registry

Another source of waste from most weddings is a wedding registry. Though each item you place on your wishlist might seem important right now, a large chunk will likely either never be used or become trash within the next few years. To avoid adding even more garbage to the world’s overcrowded landfills, ditch the registry altogether. If you really want to use your wedding to help the environment, ask guests to make charitable donations to an eco-based nonprofit instead. 

Recycle Your Flowers

When your wedding ends, you will be left with a ton of floral arrangements. To avoid throwing the flowers away, consider paying it forward. Plenty of couples have to rely on limited funds when planning their nuptials. Consult with your venue manager and see if there are any weddings happening after yours that could use some recycled blossoms. The couple will benefit from not having to pay for the arrangements, and you can take comfort in the fact that your flowers will add a touch of beauty to another special day.  

A wedding does not need to be wasteful for it to be a memorable experience. Find the best ways to be sustainable with your big day, and throw an eco-friendly wedding that works for both you and the environment.