What to Look for In Your Venue for an Eco-Conscious Wedding

Many couples are becoming more aware of current environmental issues, making green weddings more popular. Traditional weddings produce tons of waste that are harmful to the environment. Eco-friendly weddings help reduce waste and contribute to a healthier planet. Here are some things to consider when selecting a venue for an eco-conscious wedding.  

1. Location  

The location of the venue is important to minimize travel and carbon footprints. Consider a venue that can accommodate the ceremony and the reception to reduce travel by guests between locations. If this isn’t possible, set up shuttles and carpools and coordinate with Uber or taxi drivers to provide guests with travel options.  

While wedding planning, choose somewhere local to limit the traffic that contributes to emissions in the air. Ensure to consider the guest list and where they’ll be traveling from. Having the wedding closer to most guests may be more suitable than where the engaged couple resides.  

Outdoor spaces are ideal for eco-conscious weddings because they provide gorgeous aesthetics with minimal need for decor. Many environmentally conscious couples have weddings in their backyard, on a local farm, at a charming bed and breakfast or at a campground.

2. Food and Beverages 

There are many factors to consider regarding food and drinks for guests. Try to avoid using plastic to limit contributions to the plastic pollution crisis. If you’re using a venue that can host a myriad of event styles, ask them how they can provide an eco-friendly service. This might include choosing to reuse and recycle dishes like serving platters, silverware and cups. Alternatively, consider gifting cups with names on them to the bridal party or as wedding favors to guests, as they can use them throughout wedding festivities.  

Confirm the head count of guests to reduce food waste and control portions. Pot lucks are also an excellent way to have an eco-conscious wedding. Include dish options on invitations and allow guests to choose what they bring. Guests can meal-prep their items and work together to limit waste and food costs at the wedding. Providing food could also be their contribution to the nuptials rather than gifts.  

Many wedding venues offer in-house food and beverage packages, so ask questions that challenge where they acquire their food from. Is it locally sourced? Is their menu inclusive of the dietary restrictions of your guests? Can they provide their policy on waste and plastic consumption? Discuss catering options with potential venues to see if they are sustainable. Consider serving beer or wine from a local brewery or vineyard to minimize transportation costs and support local.  

3. Rentals and Recycling  

All-inclusive wedding venues are ideal because they take out the middle man. All-inclusive venues can save money and transportation and eliminate extra vendors and often single-use items like cutlery, linens and serving dishes. If the venue isn’t all-inclusive, ensure they are sustainable in other ways. Venues that align with environmentally friendly practices like recycling and composting are essential to a green wedding.  

Consider using dried flowers or coordinate with the florist to get locally grown and seasonal blooms. Contact local organizations that donate and reuse flowers to extend their life span and limit waste. Ensure that the chosen venue doesn’t require using vendors they provide and that it’s suitable to outsource. Find eco-friendly vendors like florists, caterers and DJs.  

Sustainably minded vendors can change the game for waste the wedding produces. Get creative with decor by using elements from home like vases, mirrors, candles and picture frames. If personal items aren’t used, consider renting from a local vendor so these elements can be recycled and reused for other weddings.  

4. Energy-Efficiency  

Ensure that potential venues align with sustainable energy consumption to reduce the couple’s carbon footprint. Keep the guest list small and choose a venue that accommodates the size of the wedding. Green venues often use renewable energy or generate energy from renewable sources like windmills, solar panels or biomass boilers. 

Look for venues that reduce their energy consumption by using LED lights, smart thermostats, large windows that allow more natural light in, and certified electric appliances that will be used to keep food and drinks cool on the day of the wedding. LED lights are an excellent way to conserve energy since they use 75% less energy than traditional lights. 

Bigger spaces use more energy and contribute to more waste. Look for venues that use clean, renewable energy like solar panels or other energy-efficient equipment. Outdoor venues are an excellent choice for eco-friendly weddings because they require minimal lighting and decorations. Ensure that the outdoor space doesn’t require using heavy generators that suck a lot of energy from other sources. Have the reception indoors or consider having the wedding and reception during daylight hours.  

Eco-Conscious Wedding Venues 

While planning a wedding, being mindful of the planet doesn’t have to be complicated. Many sustainable opportunities can significantly impact the environment and still meet the bride and groom’s expectations. Start planning early to make sure venues that align with the goals of the wedding are available to book for the big day.