Let’s Talk Sustainable Weddings

Before we jump into this post, let’s all take a moment and talk about what’s going on in the world and our local communities. This past month has been tough for all brides, grooms, parents, and vendors alike. We have never experienced something like the COVID-19 pandemic that we are facing today. Feeling stressed, anxious, and worrying about what tomorrow may bring are valid concerns, and we are all feeling these emotions together. We want to bring fun and creativity to you in a time where we all need it most. 

With all that being said, let’s chat about some of the ways we can give back to our planet once we are able to embrace and celebrate with each other once again! Here are some creative ways to make your wedding day sustainable and eco-friendly: 

Donate before you dump! 

Nyk + Cali Photography

Food and florals can make up a huge portion of waste on wedding days, but it doesn’t have to. When booking with your caterer, ask them if they offer any food donation or composting services. If they don’t and you still want to book with them, that’s okay. Take it upon yourself to do the research. Find a local community who could use food donations, or even start your own compost at your own home and do it yourself. 

You can do the same for your florals. Many florists will take leftover flowers from the end of events and donate them if you don’t plan to keep them. You can even have some of your bridesmaids or groomsmen donate leftover arrangements to a shelter or an assisted living home. Another great option is preserve your bridal bouquet and turn it into an art piece. Vogue has a great article where they interview Lacie LZ Porta, founder of the company Framed Florals. Lacie creates fine art inspired products out of your very own wedding florals. This is a fabulous way to have living memories from your wedding incorporated into the aesthetic of your own home!

Buying wedding invitations from eco-conscious brands 

While many couples are opting for emailed save-the-dates and invitations, we get it. There’s just something extra special about sending out tangible invites for your special day! You don’t have to ditch real invitations completely to be sustainable, just be conscious of what and who you are ordering your invites from. 

Shop locally and ask your stationary vendors what their products are made of. There are tons of vendors out there making bold efforts to source their stationary from eco-conscious distributors. You can even have your invites printed on seeded paper, so after your guests jot down your wedding date, they can enjoy planting this 100% recyclable seeded paper when they are done! 

Rent Where You Can 

While it may be tempting to hop on Amazon and order 200 60” round linens, think before you click that button. Single use anything is not ideal for our environment, which is why you should consider renting anything and everything you can before you place that order. Rent things like stemware and dinnerware instead of ordering plastic; not only will this elevate your tablescapes on your big day, but you will also be reducing the amount of landfill waste at the same time. Brides wrote a wonderful article on “Everything You Should Rent for Your Wedding,” go check it out! 

Cut Back on Transportation Needs

Something people might forget about is transportation to your event. Planning your wedding in one location and then having all your guests drive to another for your reception can really affect your event’s carbon footprint- especially if you have 200-300 guests. Encouraging your guests to carpool or offering a transportation service will help a lot. Or even better, keep all your events at one location! 

At Cherokee Dock, all of your events happen on one 13-acre property when you book your wedding weekend with us. Your rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception all happen right here. Most of your bridal party won’t even need to leave during the entire stay!

We hope this blog post brought you a bit of happiness and escape during these uncertain times. Just know we are sending love and virtual hugs your way, and we cannot wait to celebrate with you soon!