For many couples, living a sustainable lifestyle is becoming more and more important – and they want to make their wedding as eco-friendly as possible, too.
Weddings can, if you are not careful, create some waste. For example, balloons that deflate after 24 hours, tiny plastic boxes for wedding favours, little plastic bottles to blow bubbles, disposable tableware – there are so many little details that can add up. According to Sky Ocean Rescue, British weddings created up to 4,910 tonnes of plastic waste in 2017 – that’s the weight equivalent of 47 blue whales! With the environment being so much on people’s minds it is no wonder that this is feeding into the want and need to create sustainable solutions for all weddings.
The great news is however that you can have a more sustainable wedding without feeling deprived by making some small switches. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Go Plastic-Free
Small wedding details can add up to a lot of unnecessary waste. Table scatter, favour boxes, and balloons will go straight to landfill afterwards, so consider swapping them out. For decorations, books, candles, ribbons and glassware can all be reused afterwards, which makes them a smarter choice.
In terms of favours, there are tons of ideas out there – small plants, seed packets or seed tape, homemade edible treats, and personalised glassware could make great, memorable gifts for your guests – with no plastic!
Go Local
Shopping locally is going to make a big difference to the carbon footprint of your wedding. Check with your suppliers, like the caterers. Where do they get their ingredients? Are they creating their menu using local, seasonal produce, or are they relying on fruit and veg flown in from New Zealand?
You can also check with your florist. Are they using locally grown flowers? Sometimes this isn’t possible, but you can make some compromises here by using a local greenery as well as imported flowers. The great new is that by getting married at Broadoaks in the Lake District there are a wealth of experienced suppliers who can meet your needs.
These small steps can make a big difference – and they create a lovely, personalised touch to your wedding day.
Give Back with Gifts
For many couples, the traditional gifts of toasters and dinner plates are no longer required. Why not give back with your gifts? You could invite your guests to give to a charity of your choice. With so many organisations out there desperate for donations, your wedding could have a positive impact on the wider community.
Go Vintage
Getting a vintage or second-hand dress is a great way to make your wedding more sustainable. Rather than buy a brand-new dress, why not to try to find a vintage one? You might be surprised at the quality of some of the second-hand dresses out there (after all, they’re only worn for one day!). There are some specialist shops that stock second-hand wedding dresses, and you can even browse through wedding dresses on websites or even consider renting a dress!
The Lake District is a beautiful place to be married so it is no wonder that sustainability is a key requirement for many couples looking to get married. The wedding team at Broadoaks are experienced and can give you lots of advice about how this stunning Lake District Wedding venue can meet all of your needs for the wedding you have always dreamed of.