Brides today are often turning to the DIY option for various aspects of their wedding, but is this really any greener than other options? The answer is that there are various ways a DIY wedding can be much more eco-friendly than the ready-prepared options so a little careful planning could be all you need.
When you realize just how many things are ready-made for your big day, it can seem to be easier to have somebody else do it for you. Items such as stationery, decorations, party favors and even clothes can all be made by you for the wedding and one of the advantages of doing things this way is that you can be sure you get exactly what you want, but making sure it is green is another matter!
Stationery
You can order eco-friendly stationery for your wedding online or have a local stationery supplier produce it for you, but it is just as eco-friendly for you to purchase recycled paper and other items to make your own. If you simply buy random items to make your wedding stationery with then you cannot be sure that it is the greenest option. However, make sure you allow plenty of time as if you want to get them just perfect it can be a very time-consuming thing to do.
Decorations
For a DIY wedding the best decorations are those that you can find in the garden! Raid your own green space as well as that of your friends and neighbors to gather huge amounts of flowers and trailing greenery. The only downside to this option is that it has to be done as late as possible to avoid the flowers drooping before the big day. Aim to decorate the venue the night before. If you opt for other types of decorations such as paper decorations or balloons, you will find that your carbon footprint rises slightly. And when you have finished with your flowers and greenery, they can simply be added to the compost!
Party favors
When you are putting together your party favors you could just purchase these ready-made but you cannot be sure what the carbon footprint of these is. Why not consider a party favor that helps your guests to live an eco-friendly lifestyle? Wild-flower seeds in recycled paper packets are a good choice as it can help to give guests a lasting memory of your big day.
Clothes
Okay, we will admit you need some serious skills to be able to pull this one off but you can make sure your hand-made outfits are eco-friendly. Using eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cottons and silks are a good idea but you need to make sure that they are produced locally (or as near as you can get!) in order to be sure that their carbon footprint is low. Remember that many fabrics are mass-produced in the Far East these days so do a little research before you make this decision. This is another one that will have to be started early to make sure that you are ready for the big day. Last but not least, don’t forget your eco-friendly wedding rings!