Designing Events Without Single-Use Decor
One of the biggest sources of waste from weddings is the decor: paper, plastic, glass and all the other little pieces that are used once and thrown in a landfill. Even flowers are often treated as single-use! Making intentional decisions about decor for your wedding at the start of the planning process can be one of the most impactful and sustainable things you do!
Single-use decor is seemingly everywhere and it runs rampant in a lot of the wedding inspiration shown online. Here are some tips for finding sustainable items, and for turning some of the less sustainable approaches on their head.
rent, Rent, Rent!
Renting existing inventory should be the go-to solution as you consider tabletop items, linens, furniture and decor vessels. Even companies that don’t market themselves as sustainable are trending in the right direction, if they give used pieces new life across multiple events. Instead of making your own purchases of new items, see what items your caterer and florist are able to source for you that are already in existing rental collections. Bonus points if the rented items are vintage, as these weren’t even purchased new by the rental company in the first place.
2. Not Renting? Borrow Instead!
If you don’t find rental items for some one-off items like an easel, table number frames or a card box, consider asking those in your network if you can borrow them. Vendors like your planner may even have something you can use! Avoiding the waste from new item packaging alone is so helpful!
3. Floral Design Alternatives
Ask your florist about the elements they use for your wedding day goods. Floral foam? No thanks! This produces so much waste and releases harmful chemicals into the environment. Instead, look for lower impact options for arranging your flowers, especially ones that can reuse the arranging materials like chicken wire. It should also be a no-brainer that your florist returns to the venue to collect their rental vessels, rather than leaving them behind; most guests won’t actually take these home, and most of these pieces ultimately end up in a landfill when left behind.
4. Thoughtful Favors
If you want to provide favors to your guests, consider ones that have a more positive impact on the environment. Seed packets and seed paper, soy-based locally made candles, edible items like chocolate from Katherine Anne Confections and other thoughtful pieces will be a hit with your guests and will not only reduce waste from the favors themselves, but will reduce waste in packaging too.
5. Ditch the Dance Floor Favors
Looking to have a fun party vibe on the dance floor? Instead of purchasing single-use glow sticks, foam pieces and glasses in bulk, see what your DJ or a lighting company can offer for dance floor lighting! This will elevate the look of your event and keep so much plastic, foam and even batteries out of landfills.
Just by following some of the above tips, you will make your event so much more sustainable. The best part is that you’re not sacrificing design or budgeting in the process!
