Sustainable Weddings | Small is the Answer...
Christina Stirpe Photography
We’re all trying to do our part, right?
Personally, as a woman/wife/mom, I have encouraged practices in our home that allow for us to be more sustainable and reduce our footprint as much as possible. We can do better, and I know it.
As an event planner and sole proprietor, I am also conscious of the environmental impacts that my line of work and our day-to-day decisions and business practices have on this precious world. I can always learn more, do more, and be more of an advocate for our planet.
As your wedding planner, and as a couple getting married, here are some ways we can band together and make your wedding AMAZING and all the while a little more sustainable.
According to a sustainability group at Stanford University, the average wedding clocks in at over 56 tons of carbon emissions, a number that includes factors like the venue, transportation, wedding dress and food.
Tip One - Reduce air travel.
This is a call out on vendors, guests, and yourselves (the couple). Air travel is one of the four biggest environmental impacts of a wedding. What can you do? Travel to the location/venue in a more carbon-efficient way, stay local, cut your guest list significantly, or elope & honeymoon all in one location!
Primp & Pop’s initiative: we focus most of our work in the Muskoka area, which we also are fortunate enough to call home. 90% of our weddings take place within a 200km radius of Bracebridge.
Charvanam Photography
Tip Two - Keep the guest list small.
The smaller the wedding = the fewer guests who will be traveling to attend the event = less emissions. A pared down guest list also reduces the level of inevitable consumption and potential event day wastage.
We all saw it. It’s been proven over the last few years (because there was no other choice) that we can do weddings differently. We can still have meaningful, impactful, special celebrations that don’t look like they have traditionally.
If you're struggling with your list, rather than listing all the people that “should” be at your wedding, start with “whose absence would genuinely sadden me" and then go from there.
According to a study by the sustainability consultancy Edge Impact in 2020, Covid restrictions reduced the average wedding carbon footprint by 93 percent, as travel was limited and couples were forced to have smaller weddings.
Primp & Pop’s initiative: We are an elopement style planning company with our events hosting 2-30 guests at the most. We keep it intimate, and we’d really have it no other way.
Scott Turnbull Photography
Tip Three - Be selective with decor.
Single use products…. they’re basically the devil. It’s likely not possible to remove them completely from your life (wedding!), however; avoiding their use as much as possible + replacing them with reusable alternatives will make a big difference. Every little bit counts.
Fresh floral? Of course - we want allll the prettiness!!!
Working with local florists to use seasonal flowers & foliage, foraged goods, and dried elements can significantly reduce a wedding’s carbon footprint. Instead of being particular with specific flower types and colors, give your florist some free range so that they can work with blooms that are naturally in season and can be locally sourced.. Agree on a colour palette/vibe/other parameters that still give them flexibility to really get the best of what’s around.
What about having your arrangements act as favours for guests to take home at the end of the event? Bonus for everyone… spread the love!
RENT vs BUY
Rather than choosing single-use products... rent, tour second hand stores & explore local online marketplaces for those "must haves". Reduce-Reuse-Recycle... amiright?
Finding a venue or vendors that come with the rentals and décor is a helpful hack as well.
Primp & Pop’s initiative: We love giving the florists we work with creative control (sometimes with a few wishlist items/directives from our couples and/or us!
We go thrifting on the reg, but also gravitate to the rental companies within our radius, who have the most gorg table top pieces, furniture, decor, etc.
Over the years we have also built up an inventory of supplies and rental items that we get to use time and time again at our weddings. Tried and true!
Graydon Sheppard Photography
Tip Four - Book local vendors.
Working with local venues & suppliers reduces the environmental impact from long-distance transportation, shipping and storage. Local businesses might be more flexible with logistics and requests all the while having reduced fees (no overnight accommodation, mileage, etc.).
Locally planned weddings also promote hospitality & tourism dollars ($$$) + ancillary spending within your region.
It’s really a DOUBLE WIN, right?
Primp & Pop’s initiative: Whenever and wherever possible we pull our team together with vendors who live in that geographical area. We are sooooo lucky to have a massive pool of unbelievable talent who we get to have the pleasure of working with every year - calling it “work” is hard for me…
Tip Five - Donate.
Leftover food? In advance of your wedding day, check your local laws and arrange for your venue/caterer/etc. to drop any untouched food to food banks and shelters.
Flowers can be given to guests, or repurposed to long term care facilities, hospitals, or charities..
Unwanted purchased items can be donated, sold or given to a charity post wedding.
Rather than wedding favours, donate to a local charity on behalf of your guests.
Primp & Pop’s initiative: Our little giveback program that we initiated right from the start, is this: Any fresh floral that can be repurposed into recycled vases (mason jars, usually!), will be donated and delivered to a local facility that is caring for those in need - hospitals, hospices, retirement facilities, charities, long-term care, etc.
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Minimizing waste on your wedding day (and every day) requires thought and consideration. Simple behavioral changes can make an incremental difference… and that’s what we’re here trying to do, and help you with as you plan your special day!
xo
P&P
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