Photo Credit: Constellations & Co.
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Wedding Planning
Angela, owner of Eco & Ivory Event Design, is back to discuss Wedding Planning! Since we are in “wedding season”, I asked Angela a few questions that will help future brides execute there wedding day in an Eco-Friendly approach. We are discussing, expenses, hair and makeup, venues, and attire.
I know when I was planning my wedding, I was looking for new ways to make my wedding day memorable in a cost effective way. I wish I had these helpful tips back then!
To all the future brides,
Happy planning!
Where should one start when planning an eco-friendly wedding?
In order to make the biggest impact on the environment, the best place to start when planning an eco-friendly wedding is wherever your biggest expenses are. For most couples, the biggest expenses are the venue and catering.
Some venues are more sustainable than others in terms of how they are built and the sustainable operations they have put into place. For more sustainable catering, go with a caterer who can provide either seasonal, locally sourced, or organic food (or all three). Having a vegetarian or vegan menu is another way to increase the sustainability of your wedding. If you hire a caterer who is very skilled at vegetarian/vegan cooking, your guests might not even miss the meat or dairy.
When planning an eco-friendly wedding, what is the most expensive item one should budget for? Also, what is the least expensive item one should budget for?
As I mentioned, the venue and catering combined are generally the most expensive items, as they tend to take up at least a quarter of a couple’s overall wedding budget. Certified green buildings can cost more to rent, while organic and fair-trade food can also rack up the price of catering. So it’s good to keep these in mind when budgeting.
In terms of smaller expenses, I am a huge advocate of forgoing wedding favors, as they tend to be wasteful from both an environmental and a budget standpoint. If you are going to purchase favors, consider an edible favor, but be sure that it is not enclosed in plastic or another environmentally harmful material. You could also show a sign of gratitude for your guests by donating that portion of the budget to a charity.
Is there a way one can do hair and makeup in an eco-friendly manner?
Yes! In order to go greener with your wedding hair and makeup, look for hair stylists and makeup artists that use organic, vegan, cruelty-free products. You can also look for salons that use Aveda products. If you’re unable to find a green salon or stylist within your budget, consider kindly asking other stylists if they would be willing to switch out a few products before you book with them, and see what they say. It’s worth asking.
Are there venues that are eco-friendly in Pittsburgh?
Yes, there are plenty of eco-friendly venues in Pittsburgh to choose from, and the list will likely keep growing. Some venues are certainly eco-friendlier than others. There are a few venues around Pittsburgh in which the buildings themselves are certified as green buildings. Parks and historic buildings can sometimes be more sustainable compared to traditional venues. Also, I love referring to the Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants list to find eco-friendly restaurants with event spaces.
When touring venues, it helps to ask about their eco-friendly practices, such as whether they recycle, use green cleaning products, or have furniture and décor items on site to reduce the need for rental delivery. Finally, even if a venue is not necessarily eco-friendly, they might be great to consider if they donate a portion of their revenue to a cause.
I know that brides can use recycled wedding dresses. However, can a groom, groomsmen, and bridesmaids achieve a sustainable look?
Renting and thrifting are great eco-friendly options for attire. One thing to consider when renting is how the attire will be cleaned. A rental company that uses green dry cleaning products and methods would be ideal. Some wedding dress consignment shops carry a small selection of bridesmaid dresses. If you are thrifting wedding party attire, however, it’s important not to get too caught up on the need to have everyone match. Embrace a coordinated mismatch!
If you are going to purchase new, consider purchasing attire that is made from recycled or non-synthetic materials, such as 100% organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo. If you don’t think you will wear the garment again, try to sell it or consign it as soon as possible.
Instead of diamonds, how can a bride receive a recycled engagement ring that she will love? Or a general gift for the bridesmaids?
While it might feel uncomfortable bringing it up, an eco-friendly engagement ring can save your partner a lot of money, so they will be thankful you nudged them in the right direction by steering them clear of diamonds!
Ethically sourced diamonds and gemstones, or ones created in labs, are much more environmentally and humanistically friendly than mined diamonds. Plus, they are surprisingly stunning! I personally love the brand Brilliant Earth and what it stands for.
Some other jewelry options, whether you are looking for yourself or your wedding party, are to purchase pre-worn antique or estate jewelry or to purchase jewelry made from upcycled materials. You can even rent wedding jewelry online.
What’s the most important thing to know when planning an eco-friendly wedding?
There are so many options out there when it comes to planning an eco-friendly wedding, so it’s important not to stress too hard over every decision. Every sustainable choice makes a difference.
Nonetheless, things can get overwhelming rather quickly when you’re planning a wedding and trying to go green on top of it all. If you need any help navigating your sustainable wedding planning journey, I’m here for you. I can help with eco-friendly venue sourcing, budget guidance, eco-friendly design, or full-scale planning. Get in touch with me here at ecoandivoryevents.com to learn more!
Contact Information:
For more information on Eco & Ivory Event Design, visit ecoandivoryevents.com.
Email: angela@ecoandivoryevents.com
Phone: 412-573-9752
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Photo Credits: Constellations & Co.