Tips and Tricks for a More Sustainable Wedding
Sustainability is fast becoming a central part of wedding planning, with more couples choosing to create a celebration that’s both beautiful and kind to the planet. The best part? Thoughtful, eco-friendly choices actually add uniqueness and charm to your day, while making it feel even more personal and meaningful to those who care deeply about the environment.
It all starts with a decision — to have fun with the process! By working with creatives and suppliers who are lit up by finding the most sustainable options, from earth-loving linens to organic confetti, farm-to-fork feasts and more, you’ll get to plan a celebration that aligns with your values without having to reinvent the wheel! Allow us to do some of the heavy lifting for you, starting with these tips, tricks and UK based recommendation…
Plan a more sustainable wedding without compromising on style or atmosphere
Being a Mindful consumer
Weddings have the potential to create a significant amount of waste and consume a considerable amount of energy, but with thoughtful planning, this impact can be greatly minimized.
Here are some effective strategies…
Accommodation: Staying on-site, as you can at Long Barn, eliminates the need for additional transport altogether. However, this isn’t possible, encourage carpooling, provide group transport, or go for something charmingly different — bicycles for an eco-chic arrival!
Food Waste: Consider donating any leftover food to local charities, or, if donation isn't possible, compost it to reduce environmental impact.
Floral Arrangements: Repurpose your wedding flowers creatively. You can send them home with guests, dry them for future decorative use, or donate them to care homes or hospitals, sending out ripples of joy beyond your day.
Confetti: To avoid single-use plastics, choose biodegradable confetti alternatives. Consider using dried petals, bubbles, or seeded paper confetti.
Source: Etsy (linked down below)
Farm-to-Table Catering
Food is always a memorable element of any wedding— sandwiched between the ceremony and the speeches, after the anticipation of the vows, you deserve a first-class feast!
Food choices can be one of the most impactful when it comes to sustainability of your day. From the food itself, to how waste is disposed of. The key is to work with caterers who already implement environmental thinking into the fabric of their business. Those that; Champion local, organic, seasonal produce, and support local farmers, such as our very own Orchard Kitchen.
By doing so you’ll minimise food miles and ensure your menu is fresh, ethical, and utterly delicious.
Source: Orchard Kitchen
Bonus Tip: Including a few plant-based dishes can lower your carbon footprint even further, while also being inclusive of dietary requirements your guests may have.
Eco-Friendly Décor
Flowers are an effortless way to elevate your wedding aesthetic.
Choosing British-grown, seasonal blooms adds beauty and a connection to the time and place of your wedding celebration. Alternatively you could consider swapping out cut flowers for potted plants that can be taken home, gifted or replanted. Or for the ultimate BOHO wonderland you may choose to use dried flowers. With a lifespan far exceeding fresh blooms, dried flower are even available for rent in some cases, rather than buying new, you can save both the strain to your budget and the earth.
Check out Array Wedding’s dried flower hires here: https://www.arrayweddingandeventhire.co.uk/
The power of renting doesn’t stop there… hiring decorations, tableware, and furniture can all help to reduce waste.
Utilising natural materials such as wood, linen, and recycled glass can enhance the aesthetic all while staying eco-conscious too. Minimising the use of single-use items and maximising the use of reusable, biodegradable and locally crafted items all contribute to the larger goal of an eco-friendly day.
But beyond decorations, allowing the venue’s inherent charm to shine through and embracing minimalism can reduce the need for excessive items, creating an authentic and elegant atmosphere for you and your guests to enjoy.
Source: Pinterest
Conscious Fashion Choices
Why not choose a pre-loved dress or suit from a specialist boutique? This not only reduces waste but also adds an element of fun and creativity to your day. Consider gowns that can be restyled or worn again, ensuring longevity beyond your wedding day. Renting vintage or eco-friendly bridal and bridesmaid dresses is another excellent way to minimise environmental impact. Or you can choose to support designers who are doing the great work of employing ethical production methods and the use of eco-conscious fabrics in their designs. These are all great options in the effort to align your attire with your values.
Check out the great work these eco-conscious boutiques are doing in South Wales and beyond.
Eco Bride Bridal Studio: Located in Stoneyburn, this studio provides a thoughtfully curated selection of new and ex-sample designer wedding dresses, focusing on sustainable practices but at a fraction of the original price, with savings of up to 70% off RRP. - https://eco-bride.co.uk
Amy Mair Couture: Based in South Wales, Amy Mair creates oceanic and botanical-inspired, lovingly handmade wedding dresses with a commitment to sustainability. - https://www.amymaircouture.co.uk
Love & Loved Bridal Boutique: Situated in Buckinghamshire, this eco-friendly boutique offers made-to-order wedding dresses from British designers, emphasising sustainability. - https://www.loveandloved.co.uk
Whisper Bridal Boutique: Found in South Wales, Whisper provides a diverse range of bridal gowns and separates with a modern twist on traditional bridal wear, all designed and made in Britain. - https://www.whisperbridalboutique.co.uk
Thoughtful Invitations
Cut down on paper waste with digital invitations or a wedding website. If traditional stationery is a must, choose recycled or plant-able paper for a creative, earth-friendly touch.
A wedding website also keeps everything in one place, allowing guests to RSVP, access directions, and even upload photos after the big day. - https://uk.paperlesswedding.com/email-wedding-invitations-website/
Sustainable Favours
Wedding favours are a lovely gesture. However, many often get left unused. To make your favours both irresistible and sustainable, consider the following options:
• Mini potted plants, herbs, or wildflower seed packets. Gifts such as potted herbs or packets of wildflower seeds add a bit of fun even after the day is done.
• Locally made artisanal products. Vote with your ££ and go for edible treats like honey, jam, or chocolates sourced from small, sustainable businesses that are sure to be adored (and devoured).
• Framed polaroid’s. Enabling guests to capture moments throughout the day by renting polaroid camera’s for each table and gifting them with frames to take their favourites home as mementos is a great and interactive alternative to the traditional party favour.
Source: Pinterest
Ready to start planning your sustainable wedding?
We hope that you enjoyed our Tips and Tricks to a more Sustainable Wedding. If you’d like to get an idea of how Long Barn and help you curate your perfect eco-friendly wedding day, you can join us at our upcoming Wedding Fair & Farm Open Day to explore the venue, meet some of our trusted suppliers and gather inspiration for a celebration that’s authentically you.
Entry is free; find all the detail and RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/long-barn-wedding-fair-open-day-tickets-1237732393909
Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more wedding tips, trends, and behind-the-scenes magic @longbarnhumblebynature
