**Give Flip-Flops the Chop! How to Embrace a More Sustainable Wedding**

How to Embrace a More Sustainable Wedding: Insights from a Wedding Professional.

Before I became a full time celebrant I was the manager of a very busy wedding venue and three wedding coordinators, I’ve had the joy of helping countless couples celebrate their love in beautiful ways. Each wedding tells a unique story, filled with laughter, happy tears, and unforgettable moments. However, amidst all the excitement, I’ve often thought about how we can make these celebrations kinder to our planet. With a touch of creativity and a focus on what truly matters, we can create stunning, memorable weddings that are also sustainable. So here are some tweaks you can make for a more eco-friendly wedding, along with a few things you might consider leaving behind.

Choose an Eco-Friendly Venue

One of the most important decisions you’ll make is selecting your venue. Look for places that prioritise sustainability, such as those that use renewable energy.

Have an Outdoor Ceremony or Outdoor Drinks Reception

Outdoor spaces minimise the need for excessive decorations. A charming barn or a lovely garden can serve as the perfect backdrop for your love story, while also reducing your environmental impact.

Invitations: Go Digital

While traditional paper invitations have their charm, they can contribute to deforestation and waste. Instead, consider going digital! There are wonderful platforms that allow you to create beautiful, personalised invitations that match your wedding theme. Not only is this eco-friendly, but it also saves on printing and postage costs.

Mindful Flowers

Flowers can truly elevate a wedding, but the floral industry can take a toll on the environment. Opt for in-season, locally sourced blooms to minimise transportation emissions and support local growers. Not only will your wedding flowers look stunning, but you’ll also be making a positive impact on your community.

Ditch the Bathroom Freshen Up Baskets

While it’s lovely to want your guests to feel pampered, bathroom baskets filled with extra hairspray, breath freshener, dry shampoo, toothpicks, fresh wipes and gel insoles aren’t necessary for one day and I’ve confiscated way too many boxes of tempting pink tablets from little unsupervised hands over the years, putting medication in there is an absolute no, if you have younger guests.

Give Flip-Flops the Chop!

Flip-Flops are seen as a must have, but in reality they are harder to dance in than bare feet and most of the basket will go back home with you, where you’ll have a family supply for life!

Shoe Heel Protectors

If you’re planning an outdoor wedding or drinks reception, consider advising your guests to wear block heels instead of stilettos. This way you won’t need to buy multiple size heel protectors for each guest, they come in three different heel heights/widths, so at least two sets end up in the bin.

Sustainable Outfits

Your wedding dress and bridal party attire can create a significant amount of waste. Instead of purchasing new outfits that may only be worn once, consider buying second-hand or perhaps there’s a treasured dress in a loft or wardrobe somewhere that you could bring back to life.

Ditch the Favours

Let’s be honest here - the majority of wedding favours get thrown away and nobody ever misses something that’s not there! In the busy weeks before your wedding you lovingly fill and label tiny bottles with spirits, in reality people are wary of the unknown contents. The sticky lids are always a bit suspect and guests won’t risk putting them in their handbags or pockets.to take away.

Personalised fondant iced biscuits look pretty, but they are always soft, always! …and does a family of four really need 4 metal key shaped bottle openers?

Focus on What Truly Matters

Planning a sustainable wedding may doesn’t need to be a daunting task, a few small, thoughtful changes can lead to a meaningful impact. I’ve seen firsthand how the beauty of simplicity can shine through. The connection between the couple is what makes a wedding truly magical. The electric moment when the musician begins to play and everyone stands in anticipation, your eyes meet across the aisle and you are pulled together like magnets, genuine heartfelt vows and the way you look into one another’s souls create goosebumps that far outshine any panic-bought plastic fillers. With less clutter and more focus on what matters, you can create a celebration that honours both your love and the environment.

So here’s to a beautiful, sustainable future—one wedding at a time!