4 easy tips to make your wedding more eco-friendly

Photo Credit: Babb Photo Flowers: Urban Flower Farmer

Photo Credit: Babb Photo Flowers: Urban Flower Farmer

Weddings are momentous occasions that see friends and family members from far and wide join together to watch two people vow to love one another forever. Dancing amidst the decorations and flowers, everyone is dressed in their best, feasting and toasting in celebration – it’s all great fun. Unfortunately, however, this is often at the expense of our environment! 

From unrecyclable waste to non-sustainable choices, weddings can rack up considerable costs for our planet, but the good news is this doesn’t need to be the case. Wedding planning can often be a headache, and it may seem like a hassle to try to make your wedding eco-friendly on top of all this – but as we will see, it’s easier than you might think. 

Join us now as we explore a selection of four simple steps you can take when you walk down the aisle to make sure your big day is an eco-friendly event. 


1. Environmentally sound décor

From bunting and banners to confetti and balloons, weddings are renowned for their decorations damaging the environment. Using natural materials rather than synthetic solutions can lessen any harmful impacts the day may have. However, dried petal confetti will break down far easier than conventional store-bought options – and choosing recyclable paper products or reusable linens is far better for place cards and tableware.

Photo Credit: Lottie Photography Stationary: 33.Pixles. Venue: Dulwich College Flowers: Urban Flower Farmer

Photo Credit: Lottie Photography Stationary: 33.Pixles. Venue: Dulwich College Flowers: Urban Flower Farmer

2. Green-minded dining

While it’s not tricky to source a sustainable and organic menu, food waste is a massive issue at many weddings. To counter this, select a catering firm with an ethically sound policy. You’ll find caterers who use locally sourced produce and make sure that any food that is not eaten finds its way to food banks and charitable organisations. Any food that can’t be gifted will be correctly recycled and safely converted into compost.

3. Eco-conscious clothing

While everyone wants to look well-turned out at their wedding, you can still stay green while being stylish. It’s never been easier to find wedding attire that’s been crafted from sustainably sourced materials than in today’s eco-conscious climate. Fairtrade options are available that are ideal for wedding wear, including organic cotton and silks that are hemp-based. If you want to reduce your impact on the environment even further, why not use what’s already been made and rent a suit or dress for the day?

4. Sustainably sourced flowers

Finally, no wedding would be complete without fresh flowers, but choosing blooms with the planet in mind is infinitely more kind. Buying flowers that are seasonal and sourced locally is far better than the extensive carbon footprint necessary to ship in flowers from abroad. You’ll find directories online that list many of the UK’s florists and growers so you can track down one local to you. They provide detailed information on any flowers you search for, so you can make an informed decision on the environmental impact your choice will have. Here at Urban Flower Farmer, of course, we are passionate about protecting the environment – and so all our flowers are ethically and sustainably sourced. You can download our FREE guide to seasonal British Flowers here

To sum up, from your wardrobe and decorations to your menu and flowers, sustainable options are easily achieved. It’s worth putting in the extra effort for the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re doing the right thing for the planet. 






Emma Sousa