Inflation-Busting Hacks for Sustainable Weddings in 2023
We believe that couples should have their dream wedding while being kind to the planet. And according to a recent WeddingPro study, nearly 70% of couples said they are putting some effort into incorporating sustainability into their wedding.
However, we can’t escape the reality of steep inflation hikes putting more pressure on wedding budgets than ever before. With a common perception of eco-friendly options costing a premium, it might be more challenging to get your couple to say Yes to prioritizing sustainable choices.
So, as we prepare for weddings in 2023 and beyond, we wanted to share our top sustainable swaps that won’t break the bank.
#1 Find a Venue That’s Great Value and Aligns with Eco Values
As the biggest ticket item for any couple, researching the perfect venue is worth going the extra mile. Unless your couple already has a dream destination in mind, here are a few things to consider when hunting for an eco-friendly, budget-smart venue:
Is this venue in close proximity to the majority of guests? This not only reduces the carbon footprint of guests but can be a huge cost saver for guests and your couple!
Is the building LEED certified?
Does the venue include sustainability as part of its mandate or values?
Are you able to host both your ceremony and reception at the same venue?
What does the waste management program look like at the venue? Do they provide garbage, recycling, and compost bins?
Image Credit: Vancouver Convention Centre
#2 Get Creative with your Catering Plan
When it comes to the guest experience (and cost), food is almost always near the top of the list! However, this doesn’t mean we have to compromise eco-values, or pay through the nose for the finest cuts of meat or imported wines. Explore options with your caterer to develop a creative menu that your guests will adore, without costing the earth - figuratively and literally! Here are a few things to keep in mind:
The style of food service (plated, family style, or buffet). While plated service will be the most expensive, there is typically less food waste because the caterers can portion out more accurately based on the number of guests. But, if budget is a top priority, we recommend having catering staff help serve guests on the line. Because… Does Uncle Joe need four heaping spoonfuls of mashed potatoes?
Could you go plant-forward or even vegan/vegetarian with your menu? Researchers at Oxford University examined the costs of food in 150 countries and found that vegan diets can reduce food spending by as much as 34%, and vegetarian menus were a close second at 31% cost savings.
Where is your caterer sourcing their produce and meat? Are they coming from local and ethical farms?
Swap stereotypical luxuries for local delicacies. This might mean sourcing local sparkling wine instead of shipping Champagne from France, or sourcing local seafood instead of prawns from the other side of the continent.
One topic that can get missed in conversation is the practices of your caterer at their kitchen. If they’re being mindful on-site at your event, that’s great! But are they incorporating those same decisions at their prep kitchen? Are they using water and energy-efficient equipment where possible? What are they doing with their food scraps?
#3 Consider Digital Invitations or Go Eco-Luxe when Printing is a Must
So, the venue and catering plans are locked in - woohoo! Pretty soon, it will be time to get those Save The Dates and invitations sent out. But, hold the (letter)press! Invitations are an easy area to make some sustainable, budget-friendly swaps!
While sending out physical invitations to every guest is a wonderful high-touch moment, so much can be done with digital invitations now. The Knot reports that couples are easily spending more than $500 on wedding invitations and stationery, before factoring in postage costs. So going digital means you can allocate a couple’s hard-earned money elsewhere.
We recommend Minted, Greenvelope, and Riley & Grey. Minted is great because of the design cohesion: your wedding website, digital invitations (and RSVP), and any physical invites you send to your VIPs can all be in the same theme! We love Greenvelope for how they clearly incorporate sustainability into their business model!
Image Credit: Minted
However, if sending out physical invitations is a priority, there are steps you can take to do so in a more planet-friendly way.
Use recycled paper
Use seed paper - guests can take it home and see your love grow
Look into paper alternatives like cotton or hemp
Consolidate the pieces to the invitations you send out - think about how you can consolidate the information you’re sending to your guests. And instead of including a paper RSVP card that you’ll manually need to input details from, direct guests to your wedding website!
#4 Prevent Waste (and Wasting Money) with Intentional Decor
We love Pinterest as a source of wedding decor inspiration (who doesn’t?!), but it can sometimes lead to a more is more mindset. We’re big believers in intentional design as a way to minimize waste, and wasted budget. Here’s our less-is-more approach to designing a dream wedding aesthetic:
Find ways to repurpose your decor throughout the wedding. Like moving the ceremony backdrop to behind the head/sweetheart table for the reception.
Rent decor from local suppliers before looking to purchase - this is often cheaper, as well as greener!
Try to consolidate your rentals from 1-2 companies if possible to reduce travel fees - helping the bank account and reducing emissions!
If you do need to purchase items for a wedding, try Facebook Marketplace or a thrift store. It’s the perfect opportunity to give items another life while creating a unique aesthetic!
Make the most of the venue and decor they make available as part of their package - i.e. FREE decor that has already been paid for!
Image Credit: Isaac Sim Photo
#5 Think Outside the (Flower) Box when it Comes to Fresh Florals
One of the biggest wedding inflation horror stories of 2022 was the rising cost of fresh florals! Some industry sources report 100+% price hikes, thanks to higher farming costs, climate change, higher fuel costs and the struggle to find labour. But - these smart ideas will help keep florals in budget, while being kind to the planet:
Opt for a colour palette rather than specific blooms. This will allow your florist to source blooms that are local and in season!
Looking for something other than florals? We love using rented plants from a local nursery!
You’ve invested in florals for your big day, so why not preserve your bouquet into a beautiful piece of art? We love P Design Studio, Bloomist, Gentle Decay, and Pressed Floral just to name a few.
After your celebration, why not allow guests to take some florals home - just be sure to check whether you need to return the vase or not! And if you still have some leftover flowers, you can donate them to a local hospital, nursing home, or church.
With these inflation-busting tips you'll be amazed at how much further you can stretch a couple’s budget, while doing better by Mother Earth too! Remember to focus on each couple’s priorities and values, and get creative at every step of the process. If they have their hearts set on some things, but are super laid back about others, lean into those more flexible elements to make the biggest eco-friendly, budget-savvy moves.
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