vendors, Be a part of the sustainable events movement

Ready to make an impact? Become a member and be a part of the sustainable events movement proving that beautiful celebrations and environmental responsibility can go hand-in-hand.

Planning an event? Click here!

Become an approved vendor

Sustainable wedding and event professionals: this is your community. Join our collective to network with peers, gain visibility with value-aligned clients, and be part of Chicago's growing green events movement.

what you get

  • Approved vendor listing on website

  • Exclusive "SEC Approved Vendor" seal for marketing

  • Member-only networking events

  • Opportunities to participate in wedding shows and educational events

What we’re looking for

  • Professional wedding/event vendors in the Greater Chicago area

  • Rigorous evaluation process (not all businesses approved)

  • Goes beyond recycling - comprehensive sustainability practices

  • Site visits to verify practices

Thank you for your interest in joining the Sustainable Events Collective!

Membership is exclusively for professional wedding and event-related vendors serving clients in the Greater Chicago area.

Our mission includes helping vendors make their businesses more eco-conscious and helping business owners network and become a source of referrals for one another.

As a non-profit organization, Sustainable Events Collective members participate in annual dues of $250 to help facilitate and market our mission of making the wedding industry a more renewable place, beyond just recycling. Once your application is submitted, the membership committee will evaluate all applicant businesses on a categorical point scale, and those that qualify for membership will receive a site visit by the committee and an interview to verify sustainable practices.

To be considered, fill out our contact form. Once we verify your business, we’ll keep your information on file and send you an industry-specific application to fill out during our upcoming application period. Although not all applications are approved, we’re glad to educate vendors and consumers on more environmentally responsible business practices. If we feel that your business doesn’t yet qualify, we’ll guide you and provide ideas on areas for improvement and you will be invited to reapply next year. You can also browse our member profiles and check out their sustainability efforts. (Applications open January 1st each year).

We hope to meet you soon!

for wedding & event hosts

Ready to plan an event that reflects your values? Join Chicago's sustainable events community and find vendors who make green events & celebrations beautiful.

Become part of our green circle

Planning your own wedding/event or coordinating events for clients? We've curated a directory of Chicago vendors dedicated to sustainability—so you can focus on creating beautiful moments, not vetting green credentials.

Green Circle Member Badge

what you get

  • Green Cred: Get a badge for your wedding website + printables to display at your reception

  • A Gift for You & Mother Earth: A tree will be planted in person or organization’s name + certificate + surprise gift

  • Community: Share your photos, get featured on social/blog, inspire others!

Start planning your sustainable event today!

How it works

  • You’ll be invited to join if you hire three or more of our vendors

  • That’s it. That’s all you gotta do!

Not sure where to start?

We get it. Planning a wedding or party can be overwhelming. If you have some ideas about the vibe, style, and/or theme of your event, we can help match you with the best vendors in our community. Fill out the form, and we’ll get back to you with our curated list of vendors that will be best suited for your vision.

Download Our Vendor Lookbook
bride and groom in front of floral arrangement kissing

FAQ

For Couples/Planners

  • If they’re a member of the SEC, you can rest assured that they have been thoroughly vetted by our Membership Committee to ensure they meet our requirements.

  • Not at all! You can book a single vendor, or several.

    When you hire 3 or more vendors, we invite you to be a part of our Green Circle and give you some additional perks!

  • Not necessarily. This site is a resource for sustainable vendors, so if you choose a vendor who will travel to other parts of the country, that’s great!

    Our member vendors are based in the Chicagoland area and work primarily in this area.

  • There is no fee to use this resource. We are a non-profit group aiming to increase sustainability within the events industry.

  • Contact us to see if we can help!

  • We have a great group of Planners who can help you plan any type of event - Weddings, Birthday Parties, Corporate Galas - you name it, they can help you achieve it!

For vendors

  • You’ll simply fill out the form and our Membership team will get back to you with next steps 👍

    There is a $15 application fee to help encourage serious applicants only.

  • Applications for new vendors open January 1st each year, with vendor interviews taking place February - March.

    Join here

  • Our Membership team will let you know the areas of improvement to focus on to meet our requirements.

  • There is a $15 application fee to help encourage serious applicants only. Once you’re invited to join, membership dues are $250.

  • Your interview with the membership team will cover many facets of sustainability within your industry.

  • We do require each business to have a presence in the Chicagoland area to be a member.

  • Submit an application! Our goal is for every vendor category to have a sustainable vendor option. If you are interested in how to be more sustainable in your field, contact us and we can provide recommendations for how you can incorporate more sustainable practices.

general

  • We’re just growin’ up!

    We started as a small group of vendors in 2011, and have grown to a group of over 50. Our members focus on private parties, social events, corporate events and weddings, so our new name helps capture sustainability for all types of events.

  • Our Membership Committee interviews each applicant to ensure they meet certain thresholds within their industry. A site tour is also conducted of venues and caterers.

  • We are a non-profit with a primary focus on sustainability. Our goal is to help educate vendors and party planners that you can have a party and also be kind to mother earth.

  • We have 2 flagship events we host

    • Committed - Chicago’s Only Sustainable Wedding Show. Takes place every February on the third Sunday of the month.

    • Wedding Recyclery - Chicago's largest in-person marketplace for gently used wedding decor and other wedding items. This event takes place in the Spring & Fall each year.