Simple Ways to Plan a More Sustainable Wedding

theluckysixpence
2 days ago
5 min read

A thoughtful approach to sustainable wedding planning

bride and groom stood in front of ceremony area made up of drapes, candles and free standing giant fabric flowers

Planning a wedding can feel like standing in front of a hundred open tabs, all gently insisting that you need more. More details. More decisions. More things to buy, organise, and think about.

When sustainability enters the conversation, it can sometimes feel like just another layer of pressure. Another standard to meet. Another way to feel like you might be getting it wrong.

But a sustainable wedding isn’t about perfection. It isn’t about doing everything “right”. And it certainly isn’t about taking the joy out of a day that’s meant to be rooted in meaning and connection.

At its heart, sustainability is simply about making choices with care.

Sustainable wedding planning isn’t about following rigid rules. It’s about slowing down, thinking intentionally, and making decisions that align with your values while reducing unnecessary waste. Learn more about how we approach responsible design in my sustainability policy.

Most couples don’t set out to plan a wasteful wedding. Waste tends to creep in quietly, through stress, time pressure, and the sense that there’s a correct way to do things. Planning a more sustainable wedding isn’t about following a strict checklist, but about approaching wedding planning with thoughtfulness and intention.

Rather than breaking sustainability down into categories like outfits, flowers, food, and decor, it can be more helpful to approach your wedding planning with a few guiding ideas that apply to everything.

flat lay of vintage metal tray holding sustainably made bridal pearl earrings, pearl necklace and pearl headchain

Buy less, and choose better

A simple principle for sustainable wedding planning

Weddings have a way of encouraging excess. Extra outfits, extra decor, extra details that are used once and then quietly forgotten.

bride wearing sustainably made hair accessories and jewellery stood under giant foliage as part of sustainable wedding

One of the simplest sustainable wedding choices you can make is to pause and ask whether you actually need something, or whether it’s been added out of habit, expectation, or comparison.

Choosing better doesn’t mean choosing expensive. It means choosing thoughtfully. Well-made pieces, meaningful details, and items you genuinely love will always carry more value, and often a lighter footprint, than a large number of rushed, low-quality purchases.

It’s also worth being mindful of ultra-cheap wedding products. When something costs almost nothing, the true cost is often being paid elsewhere. By people, by the planet, or by both.

Sometimes the most sustainable option isn’t buying something new at all. Borrowing, rewearing, hiring, or choosing pre-loved wedding items allows beautiful things to have a second life, rather than being created for just one day. Why not take a look at my blog Incorporating Sentimental Vintage Jewellery Into Your Wedding Accessories for ideas.

detail shot of a sustainably made pearl bridal necklace

Spend with intention

flat lay of sustainably made bridal jewellery on the lace of the wedding gown

Every pound you spend while wedding planning is a choice. Weddings are moments where money can move quickly, and that money can either disappear into large, faceless platforms, or circulate through small businesses, independent makers, and local suppliers.

Choosing to support independent wedding businesses can reduce transport and packaging, but it also does something deeper than that. It supports skills, livelihoods, and creative work. It often allows space for conversation, for questions, and for understanding how something was made and by whom. (See my blog Beware of "Handmade" Labels: can you tell the difference between true artisan-made goods and factory-made replicas?)

That sense of connection can turn wedding objects into keepsakes, and purchases into something more personal and lasting.

shot of bride and grooms feet stood together on the step of their wedding venue. The bride wears vintage style lace boots

Think beyond the wedding day

detail shot of sustainable dried flower wedding bouquet

It’s easy to plan a wedding as a single moment in time. Sustainability gently asks a slightly different question. What happens after the wedding day is over?

Will this be worn again? Can it be reused, rehomed, composted, or passed on? Well-chosen pieces like heirloom headpieces or jewellery from my collections can be worn again, treasured and passed to future generations.

Flowers are a good example. Seasonal and locally grown wedding flowers, dried flowers, or potted plants that can be replanted or gifted all consider the full life of something, not just how it looks for a few hours.

This way of thinking can be applied to almost every wedding planning decision. It’s not about judging choices as good or bad, but about understanding their longer story.

detail shot of black wedding cake covered in orange, cream and red flowers for renaissance style wedding

Slow down the yes

A lot of wedding waste comes from panic. From feeling behind. From making rushed decisions because committing feels safer than waiting.

Time is one of the most underrated sustainability tools in wedding planning. When you give yourself space to pause, explore options, and ask questions, more thoughtful and often more sustainable choices tend to appear.

Sometimes the most sustainable decision is simply not deciding today.

detail shot of the lace on the bust of a bridal wedding dress

Let meaning lead, not trends

Trends move quickly. Weddings can easily become a performance of what’s popular right now, rather than a reflection of who you are as a couple.

You’re allowed to opt out. You don’t need every detail. You don’t need to include things just because they’re expected.

Sustainable weddings are less about the image you create and more about the impact your choices have. On people. On the planet. And on how the day actually feels to be part of.

close up portrait of the bride in amongst foliage. She has a bold red lip colour and wears a pearl chain across her forehead

Three questions to guide sustainable wedding planning

Rather than trying to remember everything, it can help to return to just a few simple questions as you plan. You can apply these to anything, big or small.

Do we actually need this? Or are we adding it because we feel we should?
Was this made with care for people and the planet? Can we trace it back to real hands and thoughtful choices?
What happens to this after the wedding?Will it be worn again, passed on, reused, or gently returned to the earth?

You don’t need perfect answers. Simply asking these questions already shifts the impact of your wedding planning.

A sustainable wedding isn’t about restriction or sacrifice. It’s about intention. About choosing what matters, and letting the rest go.

If you can use what already exists, and choose with care when you can’t, you’re already doing enough.

atmospheric photo of candles in the ceremony area shot through the tule of the wedding veil

FAQs

What is sustainable wedding planning?

Sustainable wedding planning is about making thoughtful, intentional decisions that reduce unnecessary waste and consider the impact of your wedding on people and the planet. Rather than following strict rules, it focuses on choosing what truly matters and letting go of excess.

Does an eco-friendly wedding have to be expensive?

No. An eco-friendly wedding isn’t about spending more, but about spending differently. Many sustainable choices, such as rewearing outfits, buying pre-loved items, or choosing fewer, better-made pieces, can actually reduce costs while adding meaning.

How can I make more sustainable choices without feeling overwhelmed?

Start small. Sustainable wedding planning works best when you slow down and focus on one decision at a time. Asking simple questions like “Do we need this?” or “What happens to this after the wedding?” can help turn overwhelm into mindful choice.

What’s an example of a mindful choice when planning a wedding?

A mindful choice might be selecting accessories or jewellery that can be worn again, choosing locally made items, or supporting independent businesses. These sustainable choices consider longevity, craftsmanship, and the people behind what you’re buying.

Can a wedding still feel special if it’s more eco-friendly?

Absolutely. An eco-friendly wedding often feels more personal and meaningful because it’s guided by intention rather than trends. Sustainable wedding planning allows you to create a day that reflects your values, your story, and what truly matters to you as a couple.

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