How to have a green wedding that Mother Earth would attend

Okay, let’s talk about the best, green wedding. Specifically, a way to have a beautiful, meaningful, completely magical wedding without leaving a mountain of waste and a small country’s size carbon footprint.

Come on, I’ll get it. The wedding is huge. They are once in a lifetime moment, and of course you want everything to be perfect. But it’s here. Traditionally, weddings are also a waste of hell. Think about it: disposable decorations, plastic packaging, who came from where, imported flowers jumped out of the rest of the food, outfits people wear once… The list goes on. Good news? You don’t have to do that! You can have an equally stunning (honestly, perhaps even better) sustainable wedding without damaging the planet.

And before you think about it, an eco-friendly wedding does not mean giving up on grace, fun, or personal touch. In fact, making a mindful choice can actually add more meaning to your big day, as almost every detail is intentional. Plus, be authentic. It’s flex.

So let’s get into that. Here’s how to make your wedding more environmentally friendly, without sacrificing style, beauty and fun.

1. Let’s talk about flowers – throw away the flower bubbles!

You already know how I feel about flower bubbles (if not, here is a short version: it’s a toxic and microplastic-filled disaster). Sadly, it is a staple food for flower groups, especially for large wedding installations. But what do you guess? It’s not necessary for breathtaking flower arrangements.

Sustainable alternatives:

• Wire mesh and moss: Old fashioned florists used this before the flower bubbles were present, but they still work like a charm. Plus, it can be reused!
• Pink Frog and Flower Frog: These small metal bases are arranged with flowers that stand upright and can be used many times.
• Vase with freshwater: Simple, elegant and natural. Plus, your flowers actually last longer.
• Dried or potted plants: Consider using dried flowers (hello, a dreamy, free-ho-embroidered vibe) or potted plants that can be taken home instead of cut flowers that have withered in a few days.
• Flower bubble alternatives: In addition to the sustainable methods mentioned above, I sometimes use biodegradable flower foam in flower designs KirafloraFlower Design Studio for my wedding and events in Atlanta. With the increasing demand for more sustainable options for green weddings, the flower industry has started to create compostable floral products made from materials such as wool and natural coir, which are fibers that come from coconut shells.

Oh, and try to source as locally and seasonally as possible while we’re talking about flowers. We love Flower Farmers and keep our carbon footprint at a minimum.

2. Invitation – Think beyond paper

Traditional wedding invitations are beautiful, but let’s be honest. Most of it becomes garbage. Not dramatic, but the tree literally died. Instead, consider:

• Recycled paper Invitation (Bonus points of plantable seed paper that can be turned into flowers!)
• Digital invitation– They are sophisticated, modern, and save a lot of waste (and more, they don’t wait for RSVP in email)
• Minimalist design– If you like the feel of physical invitations, keep your green wedding invitation simple and print with eco-friendly ink

3. Costumes – What can be fulfilled can still be great (yes, it includes suits!)

You don’t need a brand new, worn wedding dress to feel like royalty. The wedding fashion industry is catching up to sustainability, and you have so many luxurious options:

• Vintage a nd dresses: Ready-made gowns? Very chic. Vintage lace, timeless silhouettes, zero guilt.
• Ethically-made sustainable fabrics: If you want something new, look for a designer who uses organic cotton, hemp or recycled materials.
• Dress Rental: Wear a designer gown without a price tag (or waste). Win-win!

Don’t forget to wear a suit! Honestly, traditional suits can be as wasteful as wedding dresses. Instead of dropping a lot of money into a suit, you just wear it once:

• Rent a high quality suit or tuxedo. Let’s be real. If you’re not the type of person who wears a suit in your daily life, you probably never wear it again. Rental saves money and waste.
• Buy a versatile suit that you can get re-tired. If you’re a suit person, invest in a well-made classic suit that you will actually wear for future events. Tailored navy, charcoal or black suits are timeless.
• Choose sustainable fabrics. If you’re buying a new one, look for the brand using organic cotton, linen, or ethically sourced wool.
• Consider second hand or vintage. Like wedding dresses, there are great vintage or gentle used suits that are stylish, high quality and sustainable.

And don’t forget about the wedding party! Bridesmaids and groomers can retake their clothes, mix and match them.

4. Venue – Line up wisely

Your venue will have a major impact on the sustainability of your wedding. Things to consider for a green wedding:

• Outdoor venue = natural lighting = less energy used.
• Find an environmentally friendly venue– Some locations are already working to reduce waste, use renewable energy, and sourise local food.
• Minimize guest travel– While a stay wedding can be a dream, it also has earned serious carbon emissions. Choose a location that is convenient for most guests.

5. Food and drinks – no one likes waste

Wedding food waste is the next level. The vast amount of food you can throw is a bit heartbreaking. Here’s how this keeps it sustainable:

• Choose a caterer who will provide you with local and seasonal information. It’s not only fresher, but also reduces transport emissions.
• Throw away the single-use plastic. There are no plastic straws, cups or cutlery. Only genuine glass products and reusable plates!
• Donate compost food scraps and leftovers. Many places consume untouched food to feed those in need.
• Skip the bottled water. Instead, they provide a water station. It’s very easy, but very shocking.

6. Wedding favors – count them

Let’s be authentic: how many wedding favors did you actually hold? Probably not many. Instead of wasting money on what guests throw, consider these sustainable positive ideas.

• Mini pot or succulents
• Edible favors (local honey, homemade jam, or fair trade chocolate)
• Charitable donations to guest names
• Reusable tote bags, seed packets, or natural candles

7. Rethink the decoration

Sustainable Decoration = Reuse, Reuse and Avoid Waste. Instead of buying a large amount of decorations you’ll never use again:

• Instead of purchasing, decorations (arches, vases, table settings)
• Use natural elements such as wood, dried flowers, cloth and more on plastic decorations
• When I go to the candle, I get an unnecessary disposable light on LED lights

8. Wedding Rings – Make sure they are ethical

Traditional gold and diamond mining is notoriously unethical and environmentally destructive. Instead, look for it:

• Laboratory-grown diamonds (same as natural diamonds, but not mined)
• Vintage Ring (Classic and Sustainable)
• Ethically sourced metals and stones

9. Your Exit – Skip unnecessary throws

Rice, confetti, balloons? It’s not good for the environment. Instead, consider:

• Dried flower petals or lavender toss (Biodegradable and clean)
• foam (The photos are fun and completely wasteful)
• Reusable ribbon wand (Very confusion with Zero)

A sustainable wedding is not about sacrificeing beauty, fun and tradition, but about making choices that match your values. When you plan with the planet in mind, you don’t just have a wedding – you’re making a statement.

So go ahead and have the wedding of your dreams – just make it rsvp ‘yes’ to one mother earth.