There is a global movement toward living a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. People are more aware of their day-to-day impact on the natural environment and so eco-conscious weddings are rapidly growing in popularity. Here are some ways you can make your wedding as eco-friendly as possible.
1. Leaf Confetti
Say goodbye to the harmful dyed paper that is confetti and hello to compostable confetti punched from fallen leaves. You can use a punch that is either the traditional circular shape, or spice things up and find a punch that cuts heart, star or even flower shapes. The use of leaves means no one has to clean up the mess that other confetti leaves behind. Rice is not an eco-alternative as it is a waste of food and petals are not an alternative option either. Yes they are biodegradable but spending an exorbitant amount of money on flowers, only to rip them apart, is just illogical. Fallen leaf confetti for the win!
2. Compostable cutlery and crockery
Rather than bleeding the bank dry and renting a dinner service large enough for your wedding, purchase compostable cutlery in bulk for your special day. From plates, to bowls, straws, knives, forks and spoons – compostable crockery and cutlery exists in all shapes and sizes. No one remembers the plates you used for your wedding dinner, but they may want to copy your trendsetting notion to save the planet. At the end of the reception, no water or electricity has to be used to clean dinner plates and dessert bowls. Just pop them into a biodegradable bag and use them to start a compost heap. It’s a win-win for Mother Nature.
Check out Green Home for all your compostable crockery and cutlery needs.
3. Take meat off the menu
Do you want to save money, protect the atmosphere and nourish your guests? Then take meat off the menu for your wedding reception. The idea may cause an outrage among your guests but remember, this is your wedding not theirs. They will survive one night without it. The meat industry contributes greatly to global warming from its CO2 emissions. Did you know that one beef burger with toppings and a bun requires around 3,140 litres of water to be made? So why not lay off the globe’s most precious resource and indulge your guests in a delectable vegetarian (or even better, vegan) menu? With ample vegetarian and vegan food catering companies across South Africa, there really is no excuse for keeping meat on the menu.
4. Solar power
Try find a wedding venue that operates only on solar power and keep your wedding off the grid. You won’t have to worry about load shedding mid-I do, or rely on a back up generator if the power goes out during your first dance. Renewable energy will help keep your wedding eco-friendly. Alternatively, you can swap out the candles and use battery operated fairy lights or Console jars that will help keep your wedding lit well into the night.
5. Give the gift of spekboom
If you’re planning on giving a thank you gift, give your guests a spekboom cutting each. Spekboom is South Africa’s endemic wonder plant. This shrub is packed with Vitamin C and the succulent leaves are pro photosynthesisers, the process of making plant food from sunlight. This produces oxygen as a by-product, and we all know how important that is. Spekbom, also known as pork bush and Elephant’s food, is more effective than the Amazon rainforest at sucking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Specifically, spekboom can sequester over 4 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year per hectare planted. Spekboom is a water-wise, drought resistant plant that is also edible. Spekbooms can literally be cut and stuck in some soil in a pot and left to thrive. Keep things green with this carbon dioxide sequestering machine.
Other eco-friendly tips:
– NO balloons! Balloons are one of the largest contributors to oceanic waste, they are as deadly to marine life as they are pretty to humans.
– NO glitter! Glitter is essentially a microplastic that pollutes the environment and can be harmful to wildlife if consumed. The definition of ‘environmentally friendly’ glitter differs from producer to producer and so its best to just avoid, avoid, avoid.
– NO fake flowers! Fake flowers may be a pretty element to your decor and theme but by using them you create a demand for the plastic industry and this is what your eco-wedding is trying to avoid.
– Use a local dress and suit maker for your attire: Supporting a small business is a great way to give back to the community and to cut your carbon emission by avoiding having a dress and suit made somewhere that requires excessive travel.
– Have a bouquet made up from endemic plants only. This will not only bring a local flair to your day but is a conservationist approach to the flora you use.
– Use an electric vehicle for your wedding car. Lay off the fossil fuels and roll up to your wedding venue in an eco-friendly, electric vehicle.
– Serve vegan wines. With less harmful toxins, higher resveratol, lower sulphates and a low impact on the environment – switch out the traditional for the environmentally friendly wines. There are ample South African wineries that offer vegan wines, so you have plenty of choice.
Image: Unsplash
