Written by Becci Clubb

Sustainable wedding styling ideas are becoming more important to couples as they plan their big day – and rightly so. Although beautiful, weddings don’t naturally lend themselves to being sustainable. The big white wedding comes with excessive decorations, an abundance of flowers and bin bags full of left-over food going to waste when the day comes to an end. 

Over the last few years, suppliers have been trying to reduce their carbon footprint, finding ways to host an eco-friendly wedding that is as beautiful as ever. And, you’ll be glad to read, there are plenty of ways to do it!

25 Sustainable Wedding Styling Ideas 

Here we explore 25 ways to lower your impact with sustainable swaps, while still having the wedding of your dreams. Follow our green wedding guide and make a positive step towards a waste-free wedding day…

Environmentally-friendly wedding wardrobe:

Sustainable Aisle Style

Walk down the aisle in a wedding dress made from ethically sourced materials that won’t only make you look incredible but will make you feel good about your choice too. From organic fabrics to recycled materials, select your dress from a trusted, responsible designer. Look to brands like Rolling in Roses, who have designed a range of gowns made using fabric that originates from orange peel (don’t worry, the dresses aren’t orange!). Or, search for designers who make each garment to order to reduce waste.

Bridal Separates

If you’re hoping to change your outfit from day to night, opt for a style that offers two looks in one. Whether you wear bridal separates or a dress with detachable elements, choosing an adaptable outfit will reduce both the financial and the environmental impact of purchasing two dresses for your wedding. Bridal separates can be styled with other pieces to wear again after the big day, too.

Pre-loved Bridal Wear

Consider wearing a pre-loved wedding dress for your sustainable wedding styling. You can find exquisite vintage and archived gowns in pre-loved bridal stores like The Loop. Not only is this a sustainable choice, but it also allows you to own a dress with more than one love story woven into the fabric.

Something Borrowed

You could even hire your bridal gown! You’ll only wear it once, after all. Check out brands like Hurr and ByRotation where you can source your dream dress for a bargain price tag and save yourself the worry of what to do with your dress once you’ve tied the knot!

Moral Men

Grooms and groomsmen can contribute to an eco-friendly wedding by hiring their suits. Bought suits will probably be left hanging at the back of the wardrobe after the wedding and eventually thrown away, so look to suit companies that offer hire services instead. Plus, it’s a more cost-effective way to look sharp on the big day.

Merry Maids

Sustainable wedding styling ideas extend to the bridesmaids too. Let your girl gang take the lead in choosing their dresses, encouraging them to choose something they might wear again. Giving them a say in their outfits ensures they feel comfortable and confident on the day and reduces the likelihood of the dresses being worn only once.

Shoes for Reuse

Instead of wearing a traditional bridal shoe, select footwear that you will incorporate into your wardrobe after the wedding – whether that’s Wedding Converse, Dr Martins, block heels or colourful ballerina shoes that can double up as your something blue. This not only makes your footwear more sustainable but also adds a personal touch to your bridal look.

Ethical Gems

Do your research on your bling, purchasing lab-grown diamonds or ethically sourced gemstones. Seek out brands that are dedicated to giving back to the planet and operate ethically.

Eco-friendly Wedding Venue:

Green Wedding Venue

Choose a wedding venue that operates sustainably. Search for venues that work to reduce waste, grow their own crops, use solar energy or even operate with biomass heating. If you are hosting an eco-wedding, you’ll be naturally drawn to venues with similar values.

Keep it Local

Reduce travel for you and your guests by selecting a local venue, cutting carbon emissions. If you have chosen a venue further afield, organise group transport for your guests. Everyone can meet at a central pick-up point and travel together on a private mini-bus.

Consider the Logistics

Host your ceremony and reception at the same venue. This eliminates the need for guests to travel between locations and means you’ll have more time to party. If you want a religious ceremony, you can still select a single venue as some wedding venues have a church on-site. Otherwise, try to make sure all of the venues are within walking distance so that once guests arrive they can make their way between the venues on foot.

Intimate Wedding

Reduce your impact and your costs with a micro-wedding. Opt for an intimate wedding with fewer guests – a trend that has gained popularity in recent years. A smaller guest list results in a more intimate atmosphere and a big reduction in waste.

Carbon-neutral Catering:

Seasonal Swaps

Source a caterer who will work with you to create a seasonal menu for your wedding breakfast, made using locally sourced produce. Save on transportation and indulge in fresh and tasty local produce, providing a delightful dining experience for your guests.

Cater Correctly

Provide your caterer with accurate guest numbers to minimise wastage. Wedding caterers will have experience preparing just the right amount of food, so there are no significant leftovers. 

Late-night Nibbles

In the evening, ditch the traditional ploughman’s buffet or grazing tables in favour of food that is individually portioned. From fish and chip cones to pasties and pizzas to individual bowls of noodles, evening snacks that are served to each guest will save on excess waste.

Layer Cake

You might love the look of five-tier cake but how much of it will be eaten? Work with your cake maker to estimate how much cake you need, based on your guest numbers, to prevent wastage. If you like the height of a tiered cake, opt for tall, slim tiers to give the same effect. Avoid polystyrene dummy tiers that will end up in landfill and incorporate a decorative, clear acrylic tier that your baker can reuse instead.

Sustainable Wedding Styling Ideas:

Sustainable stationery

Choose stationery made from recyclable materials for your invitations and other paper goods. Avoid acrylic table numbers and place names and opt for paper pieces. Work with a supplier that adopts sustainable practices, from printing with eco-solvent inks to zero-waste policies. You could even go paperless, sending e-invites instead of physical ones. 

Plant power

Use potted plants instead of cut flowers to decorate your venue. Flowering Azalea in terracotta pots will create living centrepieces or potted bay trees lining the aisle in your ceremony bring the outside in. Gift the growing plants to your guests after the wedding and your décor will continue to thrive long after the celebration!

Seasonal Stems

Fill your bouquets with seasonal, locally grown flowers. Steer clear of imported flowers and support local farmers for fresh flowers that are appropriate for an eco-wedding.

Conscientious Confetti

Replace paper or plastic confetti with biodegradable options, like dried or fresh petals for a joyful confetti moment. Instead of individual paper cones and packets, provide baskets of petal confetti for guests to grab a handful and shower you with love. Try Shropshire Petals for the perfect confetti flurry.  

Meaningful Favours

One thing often left behind at weddings is the favours. If you wish to give a token gift to your guests, think about what will be used or cherished. Edible favours that can be eaten on the day, like sweets or biscuits, are a popular choice. Miniature potted succulents make a cute gift and also add to your table decor. Alternatively, a scratch card adds to the fun and can be recycled if you aren’t a lucky winner.

Sustainable Wedding Styling

Hire décor items instead of buying new ones. Wedding styling companies lend a wide range of beautiful decorations, from tableware to props, that can be reused for many events. This reduces waste and ensures high-quality items are available for your wedding. Before you start sourcing decor check what your venue supplies. They may have decorative items on display already.

Choose to Reuse

Incorporate decorative details that can be repurposed after the wedding. Items like neon signs, candles or picture frames can be used in your home as a lasting keepsake from the wedding day.

Organic Origins

Keep with the sustainable wedding styling theme for any textiles by opting for organic or recycled fabrics that are coloured using natural dye methods. Whether it’s drapes that hang elegantly from ceiling beans or colourful table linens and napkins, hire your textiles from a stylist or supplier so that the materials can be reused over and over again.

Time-honoured Traditions

Follow the adage ‘something borrowed’ by including borrowed items into your day, whether within your outfit or as a part of your decorations. Vintage jewellery or a borrowed veil will bring you good luck on the big day and it will help lower your environmental impact too. 

To explore more ways that you can style and create the wedding you want, check out our incredible Book Of Love suppliers now! To connect IRL with incredible vendors who truly understand your vision, grab a ticket to The Un-Wedding Show in a city near you HERE!