Sustainable successes!
Sustainable living has increasingly become an important factor in the hobbies we take up, in events we attend, and in the ones that we host ourselves.
Attempting to engage more and more in a circular economy has meant we are rethinking some of the most important moments in our lives.
Weddings are no exception.
Sustainable weddings, in our choice of venue and menus, in our clothes, and in decorations have become more and more popular, but at first glance it might not be obvious how to reduce our marital carbon footprint.
However, there are a lot of things to look at that, when added up, can make a big difference. At the heart of these is a simple rule: think local.
Firstly, let’s talk about the menu. This is one of the main places where ‘think local’ can provide a lot of variety.
Local producers and locally sourced ingredients for dishes cut down on emissions that would otherwise be spent getting your menu to location.
Picking a venue that makes sure to use these local suppliers is vital.
Similarly, a menu that prioritises ingredients that are in season will not only taste better and more fresh, but will also contribute a lot less strain to the environment.
Your choice of decoration matters a lot as well, especially flowers.
While there are traditional wedding flowers - roses are a favourite - they are restricted in their growing season to the summer.
A good choice instead are decorations that are made up of locally grown flowers in season. There are good choices for any time of year - irises in winter, daffodils in spring, or anemones in autumn.
Outside of flowers, biodegradable decorations are a must, as there will otherwise be a lot of waste ending up in landfills.
Biodegradability can also be applied to less intuitive elements - invitations for instance.
The Paper Shop, an online shop, provides plantable wedding invitations. The paper is handmade from the Daphne bush, which grows back from the root once the materials are collected, meaning that no plants are harmed.
A variety of wildflower seeds are implanted in the paper, and the paper ribbon is compostable, which means that your guests can plant their invitations - after RSVPing - and enjoy a bouquet of Irish wildflowers.
Outside of the venue, clothes are the biggest expense for prospective brides and grooms, especially the dress.
There are a number of approaches that can be taken when thinking about how to make this aspect as sustainable as possible.
The first is to make sure to use an Irish designer that sources as much of their material locally as they can, if having a dress made or buying from the shop.
Another option is to rent a suit or dress. This not only cuts down on emissions in the production of clothes, but it is also significantly cheaper than purchasing a new dress or suit.
A third alternative is to buy second hand or from charity shops. Engaging in the circular economy as much as possible is the best way to ensure sustainability.
All of these options are small decisions on their own, but they all have one thing in common - an emphasis on local producers, and local products. Keeping this in mind will help keep your special day as sustainable as possible.