Going green isn’t just a popular trend; environmental consciousness now impacts every aspect of our lives. More and more weddings will incorporate eco-friendly products and practices. During the planning process, it’s easy to forget small details that can make your wedding a little less green. To ensure your wedding achieves sustainability goals, pay attention to some commonly overlooked elements in your celebration.

Ditch the Floral Foam

Does your florist use floral foam? Ask them not to include it in your wedding designs. The Planthunter discusses greenish-black foam, which keeps flowers and greenery upright but is composed of materials like plastic, carbon black, and formaldehyde. Floral foam isn’t biodegradable, and it breaks down into microplastics, which can end up in marine habitats.

Scientific American’s Andrea Thompson describes how microplastics enter the food chain. They’re ingested by plankton, which is eaten by larger animals, and those in turn are consumed by even larger organisms. When they accumulate in large quantities, these microplastics leach toxins that can damage internal organs, interfere with reproduction, and eventually kill off entire species.

Avoid Fireworks Displays

Steering clear of fireworks may seem like a no-brainer. In some jurisdictions, they’re either completely illegal or highly restricted. There’s also the matter of buying them and ensuring that they’re properly set off. TerraPass reveals that the large dazzling displays we see on Independence Day generate a lot of air pollution in a short amount of time, and their aftereffects can remain for several days: metallic particles, toxins, dangerous chemicals, and smoke.

Even though consumer fireworks are smaller in scale, they can still leave behind harmful substances. Don’t forget that they can ignite massive wildfires. With climate change precipitating massive droughts, all it takes is one stray spark on dried vegetation to set an area ablaze. The Knot offers some eco-friendly ideas: You can toss dried lavender, biodegradable confetti, or flower petals, or if bubbles are more your thing, make sure you select an eco-friendly bubble mix. Pom-poms, bells, and flags are also great alternatives, and they can double as keepsakes for your guests.

Consider a Green Photographer

Green photographers are out there, according to Equally Wed’s eco-friendly wedding guide. Sustainable photography is a growing practice, with professionals turning to local and green labs for producing wedding albums and finished photos. These labs reduce their waste and use recycled materials, natural fabrics, eco-friendly packaging, and reclaimed materials whenever possible. Some labs also use water-based inks and non-animal-derived pigments in photo processing. To help avoid waste, don’t forget to order only the image you’ll want to display. The rest can be housed in digital storage mediums.

Watch Out for Greenwashing

Just because a company says it’s green doesn’t mean that it actually is. Some vendors engage in “greenwashing,” which Investopedia defines as unsubstantiated claims that trick customers into believing a business is environmentally friendly. What greenwashing firms usually do is exaggerate reality or hype up their products with words like “natural,” “chemical-free,” or “sustainable” without providing data to back up their claims. Sometimes, these efforts involve clever branding tactics.

How can you separate truth from fiction when looking for green vendors? According to Investopedia, a truly sustainable company will happily tell you what makes its products or services green. Eco-friendly photographers may tell you about the labs and printing processes they use. Sustainable caterers talk about how they obtain their ingredients, even naming local farms or suppliers.

A Little Effort Goes a Long Way

Details are important when you’re planning a green, eco-friendly wedding. Your event is only as green as the professionals you hire, so it’s essential to do your homework while vendor shopping. Also, pay attention to the materials you and your vendors use. With a little diligence, your wedding will achieve your intended positive impacts.