Sustainable Wedding Ideas

Show Notes

0:32 Welcome Back to the Guide Gals! Today we will discuss ways to make your wedding more sustainable without sacrificing your vision!
1:03 Whatever your sustainable goals are, we will talk about all of it
1:44 This is not just “another thing you have to do” but helpful tips to add sustainability to your wedding
2:23 If this means something to you, you can make it a part of your day!
2:35 Beverages of the Day!!
4:15 Tip 1: Choose a sustainable Venue!
4:20 Some venues are managed by nonprofits that protect the land or sea 
4:32 Tampa Bay Watch and what they do to protect the environment
4:55 Check out Herecomestheguide.com for non-profit venues!
5:25 Do your research on your non-profit venue!
5:58 Also check out museums and art galleries for venues that contribute to the community!
6:35 There are a lot of venues that invest in going green!
6:58 Chicago’s Greenhouse Loft and their environmental efforts!
7:48 It feels good to know that your venue takes extra measures for the environment
8:10 Greenhotels.com is a great place to look!
8:20 Historic Sandrock Farm
8:33 Some questions to ask your venue about sustainability
8:43 How does the venue handle waste?
9:38 Does the venue source food and beverages locally or regionally?
10:06 Are there options for organic or sustainably produced food and drinks?
10:28 Does the venue provide reusable or recyclable linens, tableware, and glassware?
10:56 Can you provide examples of past sustainable weddings you’ve held at your venue?
11:18 Tip 2: Making your decor and florals more eco-friendly
11:30 Look seasonally or locally for your florals
11:41 Work with your florist on sourcing your florals sustainably 
12:12 Potted plants as centerpieces
12:45 What are you going to do with your florals (real or fake) after the wedding?
13:19 Donating extra flowers to stretch your decor past your wedding day
14:15 Here Comes the Guide’s list of Charities that will pick up your extra flowers and donate them for you
14:30 Watch our celebrity wedding episode to see a beautiful look of potted plants!
15:20 Let your guests take home flowers!
15:55 Donations are tax-deductible! (Talk to the charities you are working with!)
16:21 Tip 3: Sustainable Food and Beverage
16:35 Ask about the waste!
17:03 There will be certain caterers who focus on this
17:22 Donate your extra food!
18:20 There are so many places where your extra food can go!
18:50 Make a plan if you choose to donate your extra food to comply with regulations
19:09 Who is making the drop-off?
20:08 Here Comes the Guide’s list of national organizations that will help you find someone to take your leftovers!
20:18 Feeding America
20:22 Rescuing Leftover Cuisine
20:28 Homeless Shelter Directory
20:38 ASPCA
21:21 Tip 4: Making your Fashion and Attire more ethical
21:28 Do Not sacrifice your look!
21:37 What is your dress made of?
22:05 Ask questions about the materials!
22:24 Vintage Gowns tend to be more sustainable
22:50 Reuse and Rentals!
23:30 Reusing a previous dress and making it your own
23:54 Vintage Jewelry!!
24:25 Moissanite vs Diamond
24:49 Don’t be afraid to not have a diamond!
25:05 Did you know your wedding dress can be recycled?
25:12 Resell or Donation for your wedding dress!
25:43 Environmentally Friendly Dry-Cleaners
25:52 Nationwide organizations that will put your dress to good use - sourced by Here Comes the Guide
26:05 Adorned in Grace - all proceeds go towards preventing sex trafficking and supporting victims
26:13 Brides Across America - gowns for military and first responder brides
26:21 Brides Against Breast Cancer - proceeds toward breast cancer causes
26:28 Brides For A Cause - proceeds go towards women-focused charities
26:34 Forever Angels of Virginia - takes your gown and turns it into free gowns for infants who passed in the NICU
26:42 How can your wedding dress get another life and support people in need
26:50 Tip 5: Sustainable Invitations and Stationary
26:52 These traditionally use a lot of paper and materials
27:07 Consider using recycled paper
27:38 Talk to your outsource!
28:00 Postcards!
28:08 Paper Culture - certified green business!!
28:23 Going entirely digital!
28:28 Greenvelope
28:43 Why we love digital invites
29:08 Greenvelope, as well as other digital wedding invite companies, partner with organizations that provide a greener future
29:40 If you go all digital - Communication Is Key!!!
30:58 We think it is great to break tradition but be prepared for the questions
31:19 Tip 6: Honeymoon
31:35 Ecotours and what they are!
32:34 The Sierra Club provides Eco Outings!
33:07 Immerse yourself in the culture and support locals!
33:45 Why does any of this matter?
34:14 You get to choose how you use your money
34:40 Your choices might impact other weddings!
35:12 So many people can benefit from these decisions
35:40 These decisions don’t have to be groundbreaking but we encourage you to put thought into them!
36:04 You can make a difference!!
37:26 Wrapping up the episode
37:30 Reach out to us with questions or your experiences!
37:58 Where to find us!!