One of the first things you should do when planning your eco-friendly wedding is to source everything locally. The closer to home that you can find everything the smaller the impact you are going to have on the environment. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that sourcing local only means getting your food from local producers (although that is what we will focus on here!). If you look hard enough you will be able to find every aspect of your big day within very easy reach!
Locally sourced food is obviously one of the main points to consider. Most people don’t realize just how much food is imported from other countries, from meats to fruit, but there are always alternative supplies that you can find and food without air miles attached is so much better for the environment. Try local grocers and find out where they get their supplies – choose the items that have not travelled more than a few miles. Some farms will sell meat direct to the public, and if the products you choose are organic then so much the better. Organic produce means that there has been no harsh chemicals used in the production so there is no further damage to the environment.
So is there a downside to this? Yes, but it is not one that should put you off. The downside is that you will be limited to a menu of seasonal food. This might sound a little restrictive but throughout the year you can create great dishes with in-season produce so there is no reason why your guests should not enjoy tasty and creative dishes no matter what the time of year.
Locally produced foods also tend to be better for you. Food that has travelled will naturally have lost some of its freshness and therefore it will have lost some of its nutritional value too. The fresher something is when you eat it the more nutrients you get. If possible, have your caterers use products that have only been picked the day before the wedding so you can be sure that your guests are getting the full benefit.
You should also never forget that by sourcing locally you are lending your support to local businesses. Independent farmers and growers often lose out because their share of the market is much smaller. Go along to your local farmer’s market day and meet a few potential suppliers, talk to them about your wedding and exactly what you are looking for and they will be able to give you a few hints and tips about what to find where.
Your wedding day has the potential to vastly increase your carbon footprint but forward planning and staying within a mile or two of home for your supplies should put a stop to that. Just remember that ‘local’ is not the same as ‘compromise’!