Low Waste Wedding Ideas from Brides
Mark and I on our “wedding” day.
Are you considering a low-waste wedding? Besides being a great decision for the environment, being conscious of your choices can help you save money as well. I found many tips and tricks scattered across the web in my research, but I haven't found any articles that are truly comprehensive. My goal in writing this post is to provide you with the ultimate guide on how to minimize waste while planning for your big day. All the tips have been categorized into subheadings so you can easily find the information you're looking for. I have put together a list of over 25 ideas on how you can minimize waste, and make your wedding more eco-friendly. Surely you can find a few great new ideas here to implement on your special day!
Just so you know, it is totally ok to not to have a wedding. You can use the money to invest in your home or your savings. I had a very small wedding. I shouldn’t call it a wedding. It was more like a kitchen party. I invited over Mark’s close friends. Because my family is in Spain and Romania and Mark’s parents were in Florida at the time, we didn’t make too much of a deal of getting hitched.
Keep reading to learn from other bridges what they did to have a low waste wedding. You can use all those tips or just a few. Either way, you are making a positive impact on the environment.
I have included relevant links to products and services to help you create the low waste wedding of your dreams. If you choose to make a purchase from my recommendations, I will receive a small commission. As always, I aim to only provide you with useful, quality resources. I appreciate your support.
Zero Waste Wedding Invitations
Handmade Paper Invitations
If you are a DIY aficionado, perhaps you would rather try your hand at making your own invitations. I found this easy-to-follow tutorial on how you can create handmade paper from paper scraps you already have at home. If you have a stack of old newspapers or books that you are wanting to repurpose, this can be a beautiful way to integrate a personal touch into your mail for guests.
Digital Invitations
If your guests are not local, consider saving on paper and international shipping by providing beautiful digitally created invitations to your guests. While this might seem overwhelming if you aren’t familiar with photoshop or illustrator tools, with a creative eye and a bit of practice — it is totally possible! Canva Pro is a super easy tool to use that contains exclusive access to 400,000 photos, illustrations, and templates with a small monthly subscription. You can easily craft wedding invitations to match your style from scratch, or from an existing template. This tool is also great for wedding-themed social media posts, menus, ceremony brochures, and follow-up thank you cards. If you are looking to customize your creations further, check out my list of 5 Design Resources for Eco Businesses and Bloggers for my favourite eco-focused fonts and graphics from different digital artists.
Zero Waste Wedding Decor
Buy Second Hand
Whenever possible, I recommend shopping second-hand instead of buying new. The number of once-in-a-lifetime weddings probably means there is a LOT of unwanted goods circulating the web and thrift shops. Check facebook marketplace, Kijiji, craigslist, or eBay for decor that suits your style. Be sure to consider whether the item can be resold after the wedding to recover some of the cost.
Rent Instead
Instead of purchasing decor items, it is pretty common to utilize a wedding rental company. These businesses carry a variety of decor items that you can book in advance and have delivered to your wedding site. From place settings to chairs, to tents, and beyond, you can basically rent anything and everything you could ever need for your day. A major plus is that you won't need to worry about reselling your wedding rental items as a rental company will take care of everything for you. I found a bunch of great online rentals but for delivery and environmental sake, I would recommend searching for a business local to you.
Make it yourself
While this option is time contingent, a great way to inject personality into your big day. Enlist help from your wedding party, friends, or family, and take on some creative projects to decorate your special day. I found this wonderful list of 60 DIY Wedding Decoration Ideas for Every Wedding Style for you to check out. The only thing with this option is that sometimes there is a recommendation to go out and buy a bunch of brand new supplies to make it yourself. Consider thrifting the supplies or crowdsourcing resources from your community. Buying them new sort of defeats the entire point of ‘low waste’.
Keep things au natural
If you are having your wedding outdoors, consider choosing an area with existing greenery, flowerbeds, or trees. Perhaps a local park that is maintained by your area’s municipality, or a family member’s land. This way you can enjoy the beautiful natural atmosphere without relying on too much decor. Be sure to take into account the impact your guests may have on the environment and protect the space as much as possible.
Zero Waste Wedding Attire
Buy Second Hand
The simplest way to reduce your environmental impact is to purchase pre-owned suits and/or dresses. It is better to buy a secondhand item rather than introduce new materials into the environment, especially if you are only planning on wearing it for one day. The great part about this is you can save some money and put that part of the budget into alterations to make the dress fit exactly how it should. Finding a vintage dress or suit can also add a lot of character and personality into your day. Etsy has a ton of beautiful gowns to check out!
Choose to Rent
If you aren’t partial to buying, you can save some money and rent your clothes instead! There are plenty of sites and stores that offer rental options for special event clothing. There is even the possibility of renting a sample in your size from your local boutique. Typically, there will be a 'wedding tax' for clothing that is sold for bridal use only. If you want to save some money, you might consider searching for formalwear in white or consider a different color.
Wear it again
I wore my “wedding” dress so many times after the event. I chose a flowy lace dress that I could wear again. In the event that you are dead set on getting a new or custom dress for the big day, make the most of it! Instead of putting it in a box and leaving it to collect dust in the back of your closet, get it altered into a short gown you can wear at an upcoming wedding anniversary or formal event. It is also possible to cut your dress into smaller pieces such as skirts, bodices, or lingerie. Get in contact with a local seamstress and see what your options are.
I am speaking specifically for dresses here because suits generally can be used again and again. My only advice for those who choose to wear suits is to choose one that is a classic colour and fit that you will be able to wear in the future. Just because cream suits or double-breasted jackets might be ‘in’ -- it is more eco-friendly to choose a style that is versatile and can be used for years to come.
Choose Linen
If you are planning a beachfront wedding, linen is more than an acceptable choice for both dresses and suits. Besides keeping you cool on your special day, this item is also environmentally friendly. Upon disposal, pure linen fabric can decompose within a short period of time.
Zero Waste Wedding Guests
In order to minimize the waste that your guests create on your special day, be sure to clearly indicate how things are intended to go from the start (especially if there is alcohol involved). Here are some of my suggestions on how you can try to ensure your guests respect the environmental choices you are making at your event.
Let them know what to expect in advance
Most likely, your guests will have been to weddings in the past that weren't as environmentally conscious as you are. By outlining your intention to minimize waste before the day, you can give them a sense of what to expect on the day. Something simple like this, nothing too complicated or detailed:
"We are so excited to celebrate this special day with you! Having a conscious attitude toward our environmental impact is very important to us as a couple, especially on our wedding day. Please be aware of the choices we have made in order to minimize the amount of waste produced by the event: (list any specific information)"
Set up designated waste bins
To minimize the waste that ends up in landfills, consider putting out clear instructions in your disposal areas to show what goes where. Even if you minimize the number of items that need to be disposed of, chances are some of your guests will end up having waste of their own. Be sure to have a visual reminder for guests to easily understand what goes where. “Garbage, Recyclables, Organics, etc” If you choose to use biodegradable place settings, drinkware, or napkins, be sure to indicate in the waste area they can be disposed of in the organics bin instead of ending up with the garbage. I would encourage you to set up a few different disposal spots throughout the event to make it easy for them to make the eco-friendly choice.
Zero Waste Wedding Menu
There are negative consequences associated with food waste for the environment. A large event is bound to have leftovers or uneaten food that ends up going to waste if no plan is in place. You can minimize the amount of food wasted at your wedding by following some of these tips.
Have a buffet or serving station
Even though it might seem contradictory to prepare large quantities of food, this is a great method of preserving leftovers and regulating portion sizes. It is up to the guests to decide which foods they wish to take and if they still feel hungry they can get more. Afterward, all the food that remains can be packaged and brought home, or it can be given to close friends and family members.
Choose a local caterer that is eco-conscious
If you want to avoid food waste, prepare your own food, or order your food from someone who shares your concerns. A lot of couples opt to use a service or restaurant to provide their food since it can be quite challenging to feed a large crowd and make sure that everything is warm and fresh at the same time. Try contacting your favourite local restaurants to see if they cater, and discuss your concerns about food waste. Perhaps they have a system already in place to minimize waste or can work with you to create a conscious plan for the day of your wedding.
Hire a food truck
If you are not wanting a formal meal, a food truck is a great alternative because everything will be made to order. They will only use the ingredients of the dishes ordered by your guests. The only obstacle with this is the takeout containers. You could choose a truck that has compostable containers or ask if it is possible to serve dishes on provided plates.
Keep your cake small
Instead of an elaborate multi-tiered dessert, consider a more modest cake that can be eaten entirely by your guests. So often is there an exuberant amount of leftover cake, which doesn’t really keep well. If you opt for a buffet-style meal, there’s a good chance many guests will be grateful for a smaller dessert.
Dispose of the organic waste properly
Some waste is inevitable. The important thing to do is to not let it end up in a landfill rotting for years to come. The most environmentally friendly way to handle this is to separate inedible leftovers and properly dispose of them. Your guests can scrape their plates into a designated organics bin, or if you're not sure you can trust them to do this on their own, enlist the help of your caterers or servers to collect the organic waste for composting.
Zero Waste Wedding Reception
There is nothing more important than ensuring that all your guests can participate in the festivities at your celebratory wedding party. These creative wedding ideas can help you make your wedding memorable.
Digital photo sharing
Weddings go by so quickly and it is easy to miss out on great candid moments that happen between your guests. TacBoard works by giving you a unique phone number specifically for your event. Your guests can text photos that will instantly appear in an online gallery and a live stream at the wedding. That way, older guests can partake in the fun without needing to be very mobile, and you will end up with an awesome collection of candid moments. I would compare this to the commonly used disposable camera idea, except everyone can enjoy it and there is no waste!
Reception games
Incorporating guest games is a great way for all in attendance to feel involved in the day. Most require little to no waste and are centered around you, your new spouse, and making fun memories with your guests. Here’s a list of 40 Wedding Games to Fill Your Reception with Fun.
Hire local talent for the music
Get involved in your local arts community! It is great to support local talent, whether they are a DJ, band, or single musician. Having a band or musician for the day will reduce energy consumption and make install and tear down a lot easier for you.
Zero Waste Wedding Favours
You can do so many things to express gratitude to your guests without causing a single bit of waste. These ideas can also work great for the bridal party should you choose to give them something as a thank you for being a part of your special day.
Thrifted Personal Items
If you have a small wedding, you can use this as an opportunity to give everyone something that's unique and personal to them. It might be fun to give a vintage glassware item, classic book, or unique dishware. You could either place the item at each guest's place setting or place them on a table near the exit. Let your guests know which gift is for who by posting a sign or letting them choose one item from the table as a sort of curated thrifting experience.
Handmade Items from Etsy
If you have a larger budget and are looking to buy something premade, consider checking out Etsy instead of buying your wedding favours from a big box store. It's a great way to support a small business owner and choose something that reflects your style as a couple. Some of my favourite zero-waste favours I have found are these 3-ounce honey jars, bath bombs, handmade tote bags, or seed bombs.
Wildflower Seeds, Plants, or Tree Saplings
Let your guests leave your event with the opportunity to create new life! Whether that be wildflowers native to your area, a small herb sprout, houseplant, or a tree sapling, this favour idea is best for guests that you know are also nature enthusiasts. You could put these together from the spoils of your own garden, or visit your local nursery to see what options they have available for you to buy in bulk. Be considerate of the health of the plants, and be sure to include care instructions if necessary.
Consumables
Consumables are such an easy way to minimize the waste created from wedding favours. Order special treats from your favourite local baker or support a local farmer by providing a bottle of local oil, honey or jam. Encourage a circular economy by providing information on where you purchased the goods from so that your guests can continue to support local farmers and businesses in the future.
Make a donation on their behalf
As an alternative to a physical gift, you could offer your guests the opportunity to donate to a cause they care about. Both you and your spouse could choose a different charity to donate to so that your guests can be interactive and make the choice of which one they want to support. Place a small ballet box underneath a sign that gives information about each cause. Each guest can write their name on a piece of recycled paper and place it in the box for the charity of their choice. Based on your budget, you can indicate whether it will be a $2, $5, or $10 donation per guest. In your follow-up thank you cards or social media posts, you can let your guests know how much of a donation was given to each of the causes.
Zero Waste Wedding Gifts
Managing waste around gifting can be challenging because it is not always in your control. Some guests may have specific ideas in mind of what they would like to give you as a gift or might have certain traditions in mind. Below are a few things you can do as a couple to encourage your guests to be mindful of their waste production.
Use a Registry
Registering helps ensure that you do not receive items you will not use, or that you don't receive unforeseen gifts. Make sure you choose a registry site or store that values the environment as much as you do and be sure to encourage your guests to use it. When you provide your guests with the information for your registry, you can emphasize that you chose the store specifically due to their sustainable practices and that you ask that they stick to the registry, so you only receive the gifts you need. This is a great opportunity to share some eco-education with your guests about why this is important to you, and why they should care too. Check out this list of the 10 Best Ethical & Eco-Friendly Registry Options for your Big Day
Open a Savings Account
Starting life as a newly married couple is becoming more and more expensive. With rising home prices and an overall increase in living costs, it is more common for people to ask for money instead of material presents. By doing this, you won't end up with a bunch of 'stuff' but rather get to spend the money on the things you value most. To make your guests' experience more personal, allow them to add a note when they contribute their financial gift. It would be helpful if you also gave them a little insight into how the money would be used. Perhaps the money will go towards a downpayment on a home or be set aside for your first child. Whatever the case, giving context will help them know they are contributing to something helpful instead of just putting money in your pocket.
Set up a Travel Fund
A travel fund is a fun way for guests to provide financial assistance with a lifelong memory instead of a tangible item, much like a savings account. The honeymoon of your dreams may be within your guests' means even if your own budget isn't enough. Just as you have a savings account, I encourage you to decide together where you want to go, as well as the estimated cost of the trip. It would also be good to indicate where any extra funds would go towards.
Make a Donation Instead
In lieu of gifts, you could instead encourage guests to donate to a cause that is important to you and your partner. I suggest that you include some information about the cause at your reception to support this idea. There are many ways you can display the information, including placing a brochure at every table, showing a short video at your reception, or explaining why it is important to you both during the speeches. After the wedding, thank your guests for their contributions and let them know how his or her donations benefited your cause. I think it would also be great to provide guests with information on the total amount raised.
Hey, Claudia here
I am a senior graphic designer, a dog mom, an advocate for a zero-waste lifestyle, climate change, and sustainability. My articles are based on personal experience and well researched to give you the best source of information for all things zero-waste.