Simple Ways To Go Green At Your Wedding: It's Tough But Do-able!

We all know that weddings are one occasion where we go all out without any worries. We’ve all heard of the reducing, reusing and recycling, but applying these eco-conscious concepts to your wedding might leave you feeling like you have to sacrifice the glamour. However, decorating with eco-friendly elements can be both gorgeous and kind to the earth. Read on for tips to making your eco-friendly wedding an absolute stunner.

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1. Save trees with your invitation choice

The easiest way to go green is through the invitations - from a digital invitation for casual weddings to a high-end couture invitation on recycled cotton. Use hand-made paper or invitations that come with seeds, organic paper, recycled envelopes, eco-friendly inks and seeded paper ( paper that is actually embedded with seeds so you just plant it). You can try adding jute buttons and frills, burlap tie-ups, handmade papers, elephant dung papers, dried flowers and leaves. We had even mentioned recycled wood peel boxes and scrolls in our stories. An online invite is a great option too. No paper at all.  

From: Noni & Sidharths wedding

2.Give seeds with your invite Genius bride Noni gave a cute little packet of seeds along with her wedding card.  It was labelled "Let love grow" and was a thoughtful way to go green

3. Get married in the morning

Choose a venue that has a lawn, Look for farms, hilltops or a nice garden and use the natural sunlight to keep your wedding prettier than pretty. You see, it's about using less electricity and staying alongside nature. Win-win, if you ask us.

4. Favors

Give reusable favors like fresh herbs or spices. Guests love wedding favors that have meaning and are reusable. A small pot of herbs or spices is a gift your loved ones can continue to use long after every thank you note has been written, stamped and sent. Oh, and they’ll think of you and your spouse every time they use it! Also choose organic edible favours over artificial fancy ones any day.

5. Opt for fresh local food

First, find a caterer who will do as much local, seasonal and organic food as possible. A 5-pound package shipped by air across the country creates 12 pounds of CO2. Also be realistic - Instead of a mutton dish, choose fish or prawns - if you are getting married in Goa. It's about using the local food - instead of going exotic.

Pic via @Rupali & Nirav's Wedding

6. Beauty is skin deep!

Opt for eco-friendly makeup products for your big day. Just make sure you try them out before hand for any allergies or your skin might break out.

7. Go Digital

Digital photography offers a paperless and chemical-free way to capture your event. Green photographers go steps further by using rechargeable batteries, non-toxic inks, 100% post-consumer waste paper, LED and CFL bulbs, and recycling. Ask potential photographers about their green practices to see if they are the right fit for your values.

8. Jewellery Choices

Make Informed jewellery choices. Whatever your ring style or preferences, consider the source of your chosen metals or gems. Make sure they come from legit places - not illegally sourced!

9. ...And Be Merry

As your guests raise a glass to toast your commitment, consider filling it with an organic beverage. Organic wines are a hot trend in the wine industry. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic beverage, try organic teas for a delicious, naturally brewed organic drink. There is nothing you can find in India nowadays.

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10. Go Vegetarian for the Day

This one is easy since we are in India! You may have read the statistics: the production of meat takes a lot of water. But you don’t have to be a practicing vegetarian (and neither do your guests) to have an awesome, eco-friendly vegetarian dinner at your wedding.

11. Eco Decor 

Instead of using printed materials for photo booths, use chalkboard or old window panes. Donate the items when wedding celebrations are over or use them as rustic home décor. Don't unnecessarily buy anything fancy that you can't use afterwards. DIY instead of buy - we did a few DIY stories right?

12. Phera Toss

Potpourri to toss when bride and groom take their pheras (confetti or glitter or any of those fancy things).

13.  Plant a tree

If possible, keep 30 mins aside after you wedding where you and the guests can plant some samplings. You can allow the guests to take them home or donate it to a nearby nursery! You can even give them plants as return gifts.

15. Instead of balloons, try umbrellas

Balloons are a lot of fun and make great wedding décor, but unfortunately, they are far from green. Not only do they contribute to the landfill once the "I dos" are done, they're extremely harmful to birds, sea life, and other animals that may swallow them. Instead of balloons, try hanging vintage umbrellas at your venue! They're stylish and colourful, just like balloons, and if you rent or borrow them, they won't end up at the dump after your wedding.

Pic via @DIY Delhi Wedding 

16. Try in-season foods 

Do not ask for strawberry desserts or mango cake when it's not in season - it just ups the costs. Think about seasonal produce and ask the chef to create dishes according to stuff that's in season.

17. Try local vendors...

Instead of ones that need to have them and their teams flown down. Save time and fuel.

18. Skip anything that comes in plastic

From using plastic jars to tags to anything harmful to the environment, choose paper or jute. Reusable jars and glass bottles are good choices for decor and as favours.

19. Wear your mom or grandmom's sari for one occasion 

Vintage yeah? Wearing your mom's sari is not just acknowledgement to your culture and your mom, it's also about reusing old materials and making them into new garments with a little help.

20. Choose a wedding registry over normal gifts

Cup and saucer sets from 5 aunties? No sir, we talked about a registry - use it to get the things you want. You can even ask people to share costs on your honeymoon etc. 21. Donate the food leftover from the wedding  There are organisations that actually come and pick up the food and deliver it to those in need. We did write about this particular one that really does amazing work. Written by Apoorva Pagar