Today we have a guest blog by Angie from Creative Ceremonies! Read on to find out how to plan an eco wedding…
I’m an Eco-Conscious Celebrant. This means that I consider what we are doing to our environment in my ceremonies. How and what we consume has a huge impact in an industry traditionally built on single use everything. You see, your eco wedding can become a form of sacred activism. You can throw convention out of the window – especially if it doesn’t fit in with your themes and values. In today’s world, with our actions having so much crucial impact on the environment, what you do really does matter. The way you consume puts you in a place of power. Therefore, you can steer the emphasis away from mass production and wasteful consumption.
Featured photo by Gentlevisions Storytelling Photography
Defining your values as a couple
Brainstorming
As a celebrant, I spend time brainstorming with couples to establish values and what they love about each other. I weave some magic into a script that confidently represents the unique couple.
A PERSONALISED CEREMONY
My ceremonies create powerful, defining moments and sometimes every guest participates in some way. There can be music, ritual, honouring the seasons or elements, drumming, and more.
10 essential tips for an eco wedding:
Budget
Address the budget and draw up a list of what matters to you and speaks about your values. Have a look at what you are spending on and evaluate why. Is there a way you can spend more on something and less on other things? Learning from my own experience, we spent WAY too much on rings we don’t wear daily. Think about what you want to do afterwards as this also helps create less waste. Don’t get sucked in by convention!
Shop local and source responsibly
Generate more movement in your local economy by sourcing locally grown flowers, local caterers and suppliers. Consider responsibly sourced gold and diamonds if you choose that route.
Borrow
Why buy when you can hire and borrow? Work with wedding suppliers to source items you don’t need to buy. That way you don’t have to waste anything or have the job of selling it on afterwards.
Prelove
Have you considered buying second hand for your wedding clothes? Nobody says you must get married in white either – beautiful stunning and original vintage and preloved clothing, and nearly new gowns are a great way to honour your eco wedding theme. You can look completely amazing and unique. When shopping, think about how many times you are REALLY going to wear that wedding dress! I have worn mine dozens of times in the last 14 years, but that’s because it was versatile!
Eco Wedding Venues
Seek out an eco wedding venue that respects the environment, supports the community or a local charity, and minimizes travel. You could consider an eco-build, a community space, the great outdoors or your own home or garden.
Keeping things small
Eco weddings can also incorporate a theme of less consumption. By keeping things small, you can be sure to focus on the actual intention of the day, a celebration of a sacred soul union, about your love and relationship. A small wedding can provide the intimacy of sacred space, bring together the people who mean most to you and keep the focus on you. An elopement has a total focus on you and a private powerful experience with the two of you and a celebrant.
Donate
I am very inspired by my friend and wedding photographer Sandra Chile. She started giving food out to homeless people from what was left over from wedding parties, collaborating with the couples themselves and helping people as part of the event. Find out how this might be possible for you as it gives back in a huge way. Also, again a Sandra tip, giving flowers to local hospices or nursing homes is a beautiful way of connecting to the local community and spreading love.
Give to charity
Encourage your guests to donate a bit of money as a wedding gift to a cause close to your heart. This way, you don’t get given what you don’t want! Also, don’t be afraid to ask for what you DO want, like a holiday, or something specific for your new life together?
Car Share
How are your guests arriving to your wedding? Can you encourage them to talk to each other and share transport or even a minibus so that they don’t all drive to you, maybe they can even cycle?
make your eco wedding Plastic Free
Insist on ditching the plastic for a true eco wedding. Glass bottles and hiring of cutlery are great solutions. Discourage packaging and single use plastic. Recyclable plastic is still a huge problem, not a solution!
more about Angie and eco weddings...
I am inspired by cross cultural experiences and influence. I’m originally from Chile, I spent a lot of time both living and working in the immense fusion that is Notting Hill and how live in Hertfordshire with my family. I have been a Ceremonialist for over a decade and a Modern Day Medicine Woman for 20 years, and am part of a growing movement that puts ceremony at the centre of community, bringing back the importance of honouring rites of passage that truly celebrate what’s important. I LOVE to share my vibrant, creative approach to crafting something joyful, spiritual, powerful and memorable, and most importantly, completely YOU. My ceremonies are non-religious and non-legally binding. Find out more about Angie and eco weddings here.
Angie's Featured Wedding Venue
For tiny ceremonies and elopements get inspiration here. This venue very close to my heart, is in Hertfordshire, has a straw bale house, a yurt, a woodland, a labyrinth. You use an eco-toilet and get to enjoy an organic garden and spend time getting to know the goat! Find out more about this venue here.
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