How-To: Holding A Waste-Free Wedding
2018-07-01

Weddings are both a dream and a nightmare. While you might finally be living your dream, weddings are what nightmares are made of for our planet. Weddings, just like every large event, generates huge amounts of waste. There are multiple ways to go green for your wedding and none of it involves walking down the aisle in a cardboard dress. Instead, there are simpler ways for you to play your part in saving Gaia. 

Apart from working with eco-friendly wedding venues in Singapore, here are 5 other ways to reduce your wedding waste. 

Ring shop responsibly 

Source: Pinterest 

When shopping for your wedding bands, as much as possible choose diamonds that are conflict-free. To do this, ask your jeweller about its origins or make use of The Kimberly Process Scheme. Alternatively, you can also consider repurposing rings or using your family heirlooms.  

Find alternatives for your wedding flowers 

Wedding flowers are one of the biggest contributors to waste. Because they are used in abundance, only for an event that lasts a few hours, they are extremely wasteful. Attempt to look for an alternative use for your flowers after the wedding. Work with your florist to design lasting arrangements which can then be doubled as wedding favours or be donated to other venues like hospitals. Alternatively, instead of cut flowers work with plants that can be repotted after your wedding. 

Use eco-friendly paper 

Source: Jeanselmemotoculture 

The demand and use of paper products have been increasing at the expense of our forests. At weddings, paper products are used in abundance from invitations to various events leading up to the wedding, place cards and even table indicators. 

In this digital day and age, there are various ways to reduce the use of paper. Instead of paper invitations, consider sending out e-invites or digitalise your guestbook and seating arrangement. However, if using paper cannot be avoided, opt for eco-friendly products instead. 

Work eco-friendly vendors 

Working with eco-friendly vendors will make a tremendous difference. Their services will be shaped towards being as waste-free as possible, allowing you to choose from options that are already eco-friendly. Moreover, with their expertise, you might reduce more wedding waste than expected. 

Rent your outfits 

Every engaged couple, especially a bride-to-be, has their dream wedding outfit in mind. Getting your dream outfit does not necessarily mean purchasing it. You can also rent outfits that fit your dream looks, which might also be more affordable. however, if you want to purchase new outfits, consider working with vendors that use sustainable fabrics like organic cotton or silk. This can apply to everyone in the wedding party as well. Doing so will prevent unnecessary additions to landfills. 

Going green can go a long way in ensuring the survival of our planet and what better way to start than on your big day? Every little thing you do, counts. With green alternatives for most—if not—everything out, there try choosing the eco-friendly options!