This can be second-nature for some people. People all over are trying to make better choices for the earth we call home. It’s possible, however, that you’ve never considered this avenue and aren’t sure where to start. So let’s jump right in-

1. Ask the Big Questions

Finding eco-friendly options starts with understanding what counts as eco-friendly. Asking things like ‘Can I reuse, repurpose, recycle, or resell this item after the big day?‘ or ‘How much waste will this choice produce?’ will get the ball rolling in the right direction. Because ultimately the most important environmentally friendly alternative you will use is your mindset.

2. The Resale Option

At a wedding a couple years ago tea cups with matching saucers were given as party favors. She had started months before looking at garage sales, estate sales, resale shops, FB marketplace, and the like. There were so many beautiful cups and most of them were purchased at around 50 cents a piece!

Pro tip: Visit garage sales and estate sales within their last hour to bargain prices. Most estate sale managers go half off their prices on the second day (some even go 75% off right at the end, but you didn’t hear it from us).

You can often find bundles of already made wedding décor on resale sites, along with reusable home décor that can be used in your wedding and beyond, such as, a chalkboard sign or spray-paintable glass bottles.

3. The Dress

You may not be able to wear a close relative’s dress or make one yourself so you think there aren’t many options, but truly, eco-friendly knows no bounds.

Many brides have found beautiful white dresses that were easily modifiable (which usually costs less than buying new) and wore it with no one the wiser.

If you do buy new you still have a couple options. You can buy a dress that modifies for the reception which can be worn later on with the right accessories to look not so matronly. You can sell after the wedding. If you don’t have major emotional attachments, you can resell to allow someone else to use your gorgeous dress. There is also the option to turn your dress into burial outfits for stillborn babies. There a few ministries that you can reach out to donate your dress to. It is a beautiful gift to those families that have felt such a loss.

4. Location

You can cut down on fake flowers and other similar decorations if you pick the right venue (email for venue ideas!). Someone outdoors or even indoors like Fredrick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. These will cut down on the items that, more than not, usually get trashed. An added bonus is those locations are also beautiful in pictures!

5. Rent and Borrow

If you didn’t know that you can rent wedding décor then you do now! Most of these places exist for the environment’s sake. Everything from large furniture to greenery to drapes and tablecloths- you can rent vintage, rustic, outdoorsy, retro, the list goes on. This a great way to make sure things don’t go to waste. Most of these pieces will add a unique elegance to your wedding no matter the style, because they were made look beautiful. It never hurts to be eco-friendly in a way that keeps your relatives reminiscing about your wedding for years to come.

‘The emerald chaise for the photo booth? Of course I remember! It paired so well with the silver accented birch trees!’

Also, borrow! Need a large candle for the unity ceremony or a fancy footstool for the garter removal? It’s likely that your great aunt Milly or Cousin Ira have something you could use. It never hurts to mention what a great wedding gift it would be for you and your beloved.

My only advice in the ‘borrow’ area is DON’T borrow something you couldn’t replace if something happened and DON’T borrow from someone who will lord it over you for the rest of your known life- known because at some point you will have to go into witness protection to stop them lording it over you- we all know that person 😉

These are just a few of the many, many options out there to plan a beautiful, sustainable wedding. Creative Grace Planning would love to help you through the process of creativity, until then, we hope this was able to jump start your Eco-Friendly Wedding and we were able to help our beautiful planet last a little longer.

Wishing you our very best,

CGP