photo: Style & Story | floral: Something Borrowed Blooms | venue: Franklin Park Conservatory | planning: Thyme & Details | dress: La Jeune Mariee | beauty: Le Reve Makeup & Hair
Do you care about the planet and question whether you want to have a wedding due to the negative impact it may have? ...well, what about the positive impact it may have? What if I told you that you could have a sustainable wedding? Here are my 5 Ways to Host a Sustainable Wedding. There are plenty more routes you can take, but these are a great place to start!
photo: Red Gallery Photography | venue: Franklin Park Conservatory | planning: Thyme & Details
1. REDUCE SINGLE - USE PRODUCTS
Consider where you may have single-use products – napkins, drinkware, cutlery, plates, programs, menus – and adjust. Try renting linen napkins, glassware, china, and flatware. If that doesn't work within your budget, what about compostable products? (Hint: the cups in this photo below are compostable since we could not have glass in this space!)
Instead of a program or menu for each guest, could you post a schedule on your welcome sign? If you have to compost at the wedding, you can also encourage guests to compost the paper products they don't intend to keep. Just remember that foil, ribbon, plastic embellishments, etc. cannot go in the compost!
photo: Jaimi Laine Photography | venue: National Veterans Memorial & Museum | planning: Thyme & Details | drinkware: Webstaurant
2. MAKE YOUR FLOWERS FOAM FREE
Ask your florist to design foam-free floral arrangements. There is a popular material used by many florists called floral foam or Oasis foam. Although it's a useful product, it's simply micro-plastics packed tightly into a block. There are other ways to design florals so be sure to discuss your options.
photo: Brooke Cox Photography | floral: Blümen | venue: Cliffside Acres | planning: Thyme & Details | dress: Badgley Mischka Bride | makeup: Angie Warren Makeup Artistry | hair: Rhea Smith
3. RENT WHERE YOU CAN
Rent, rent, rent! Renting decorations and other elements for your wedding day not only saves money, but also supports small businesses (i.e. the local rental company) and ensures your decorations have an extended life.
photo: Broc & Alexa Photography | venue: Henry Manor | planning & design: Thyme & Details | floral: Stem Floral | Linens: Nüage Designs | rentals: Lasting Impressions, Queen City Vignette | stationery: On Paper
4. SHOP OFF THE RACK
Want a fashionable designer gown? Try shopping "off the rack". There are entire bridal salons dedicated to off-the-rack, sample, and/or second-hand designer gowns. No one else knows whether your designer gown was shipped to you new or bought off the rack AND you get to take the gown you said "yes" in-home with you the same day.
photo: Aimee Thomas Photography | planning & design: Thyme & Details | dress: Jenny Yoo | makeup: Le Reve Makeup & Hair | hair: Hannah Lawler
5. SUPPORT THE RIGHT BUSINESS
As you are selecting your venue, consider where your dollars are going. There are so many beautiful, nonprofit venues that give back to the community or support meaningful causes. Consider venues like art museums, botanical gardens, conservatories, small-town historical centers, etc.
photo: Style & Story | floral: Something Borrowed Blooms | venue: Franklin Park Conservatory | planning: Thyme & Details | dress: La Jeune Mariee | beauty: Le Reve Makeup & Hair
Remember that sustainability is about doing your best, doing better, and doing something! It's not about perfection! I have more tips coming your way real soon...stay tuned!
You can find me as well on my social channels, come say "hi" on Instagram @thymeanddetails!
