Organizing a wedding can be very costly financially and, although it might not be immediately obvious, it can also have an impact on the environment.
However, with good planning and a bit of creativity, it is possible to celebrate the big day without spending a fortune and while being mindful of the planet’s well-being.
Here are some tips on how to design a wedding ceremony with an eye toward savings and sustainability.
- Local venue
Choosing a venue that doesn’t require significant travel can greatly reduce costs for the couple, as well as the environmental impact.
To cut costs even further, consider hosting the reception in a private home, a park, or another outdoor location, avoiding the need to rely on more elaborate and expensive venues. Identifying a location for the festivities close to where the ceremony will be held would help minimize car usage for both the couple and their guests.
- Invitations? Yes, but digital!
An increasing number of online platforms allow couples to create personalized invitations and send them via email: a choice embraced by a growing number of couples who, with a single step, can reduce both expenses and the environmental impact associated with paper use.
- For the outfits, let’s choose sustainable fashion
Second-hand clothing is making a comeback, so why not wear a vintage outfit on the big day?
If you don’t want to turn to specialized stores, simply browse through family wardrobes, perhaps looking at clothes from your parents’ or grandparents’ weddings and ask a friend skilled with a sewing machine or a good tailor to update them a bit.
- Seasonal and locally-sourced catering
When it comes to the wedding menu, it’s better to focus on seasonal and locally-sourced products. This benefits your health, saves money, and supports local producers. Additionally, this choice helps reduce the impact caused by transporting exotic foods from distant countries.
- Favors: yes or no?
It’s entirely understandable for the couple to want to share such an important moment in their lives with their guests. However, to save money and do something useful for others and the environment, traditional wedding favors can be replaced with donations to charitable organizations, seeds to plant, or handcrafted products that support local economies.
This alternative is not only sustainable but is often greatly appreciated by guests.
- What about gifts?
A wedding registry has become essential, both to help guests choose the right items and to avoid ending up with a house full of duplicates or things that might be neither useful nor to your taste. If the couple’s home is already fully furnished and equipped, the registry can also be set up at a travel agency. Another option could be a donation to someone less fortunate.
All these choices help reduce the accumulation of superfluous items and promote a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
When attending a wedding as a guest, even in the absence of a registry, there are ways to give a thoughtful gift without spending a fortune. One suggestion is to pool resources with your group of friends.
Interested in more tips on saving and sustainability?
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July 10, 2024