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Spotlight: Sustainable Wedding Ideas

Experts share eco-friendly tips to minimize your wedding's carbon footprint

October 26, 2023

Are you planning a wedding and looking for ways to make it more eco-friendly? In an era where environmental sustainability is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, why not extend these principles to your wedding? We've gathered advice from our Nebraska Wedding Day team of experts to help you create a wedding that's not only memorable, but also environmentally responsible. From venues to catering choices and signage to rentals and wedding attire, there are numerous ways to minimize your wedding's carbon footprint and make it a beautiful celebration that respects the environment.

VENUE
Connie Van Nostrand of Arbor Day Farm emphasizes the advantages of hosting your wedding in the great outdoors, where being environmentally friendly is effortlessly achieved. The natural setting, whether it's a lush forest or rolling countryside, not only provides a breathtaking backdrop but also eliminates the need for cut florals, contributing to sustainable event planning. Furthermore, for guests staying at hotels, consider accommodations that offer the option to offset their stay's carbon footprint, such as Lied Lodge, where every guest can make their stay carbon neutral through tree planting.

Arbor Day Farm

CATERING
Selecting a certified zero-waste caterer is a pivotal step in minimizing your wedding's environmental impact. Patricia Catering and Cocktails proudly diverts over 90% of their waste away from landfills through an efficient 5-bin system that encompasses composting and recycling of hard plastic, soft plastic, glass, and cardboard. Additionally, consider incorporating finger food appetizers into your menu which not only is a great way to keep your guests satisfied throughout the wedding day, but can also help eliminate the demand for excess trash.

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RENTALS
Hilary Kaiser of Elite Events Rental also valuable offers tips when it comes to rentals. "Two of the biggest ways to reduce the amount of waste produced from your event is by renting linens and dishware. Our linens and dishware items are used over and over again." Using real place settings encourages the principle of reuse, promoting sustainability by reducing single-use items.

Jaimee Anderson, from Ellynne Bridal, offers multiple eco-conscious options for your wedding dress. Consider redesigning your wedding dress, transforming it into a gown you can wear every year on your anniversary. Alternatively, you can consider preserving your gown or framing it as a stunning art piece to showcase in your home, adding sentimental value and reducing waste. Another thoughtful choice is to rent out or sell your gown, allowing it to be worn again by another bride, contributing to a sustainable bridal fashion cycle that minimizes environmental impact.

SIGNAGE
When it comes to wedding planning, every detail counts, including your choice of save-the-dates, invitations and signage. As technology continues to evolve, the possibilities with digital signage are limitless, as pointed out by Rowe: "We live in a tech age, so there are many ways to digitize messages that used to use more paper. The possibilities are endless!" This tech-forward approach not only reduces paper waste but also offers endless creative possibilities to convey your message and style.