Here at Berwick Lodge, our favourite wedding trend is conscious decision making! Here are some tips and tricks, from our wedding coordinator Georgia, on how to be ethically and environmentally friendly during your wedding planning. 

Supporting Small Businesses

The cost of living has put a strain on the financial situations of the UK as a whole, so try looking closer to home and purchase more locally in order to help the economy and lower your items carbon footprint. Third-party websites such as ‘Etsy’, offer unique, high-quality items such as stationery and favours; and they are often homemade from independent shops or sellers! You could even try ‘Rock My Wedding Recycle’ or ‘Facebook Marketplace’ for items no longer needed by other couples, this is a win-win as you can purchase items for less and you would also be helping somebody else by repurposing their special items!

Being Ethical

When looking for a wedding dress, it should be considered that the global fashion industry creates an abundance of waste each year. You could consider buying a second-hand dress, or perhaps repurposing a relative’s dress. If opting to buy a new dress, we should make an effort to be aware of the manufacturing process and how workers are treated. Finding a sustainable wedding dress is key to minimising waste, ensuring it is handcrafted, made to order and from sustainable materials. 

Cruelty Free

Ask that your hair and make-up artist use only cruelty-free, vegan and organic products, which reduces the use of chemicals and therefore a lower carbon footprint.

Similarly, having knowledge of the sourcing of your wedding rings - ensure your rings aren’t ‘blood diamond’ (a term used for diamonds mined and smuggled, often funding conflict and violence causing societal, environmental and economic damage to those directly involved), you can do this by using tracking services online. It is usually more cost-effective to purchase factory-made diamonds, or you may consider antiques or vintage jewellery this way, you can be sure you aren’t contributing to any dangerous working conditions.

Environmentally Sustainable

Be more conscious of what and how we purchase; think local in general; ask guests to be conscious of how they travel, keep food miles down, and ensure that items are local, seasonal and from within the UK. Try giving back to the environment; perhaps plant your own tree or purchase and scatter a ‘bee-bomb’ to make up for the weddings environmental impact, look to use a local flower shop that deliver in glass and avoid using foam.

Acts of Gratitude & Compassion

After the last few years, we have all done some reflecting and have a better understanding of what is truly important. This has certainly given wedding celebrations a deeper meaning, you may like to incorporate special gestures on the day, such as adding personalised notes for your guests. Perhaps, you could ask your guests to make a charitable donation or fund a local project on your behalf, or rather than receiving gifts.

Tradition and Heirlooms

Much like gratitude, the past year has made us much more empathetic towards others and have a stronger ability to connect with people on a deeper level. We want to treasure our memories and ensure sentimental moments are included on the day. This could be getting married in your grandparent’s church, having your bouquet preserved afterwards, perhaps even considering wearing mums own wedding dress! 

Here is a summary of a few ways that you can help give back by choosing to have a sustainable wedding:

• Vintage or factory-made wedding rings.
• Repurpose a pre-loved wedding dress.
• Go thrifting for second hand items.
• Only purchase local and seasonal items.
• Use only cruelty free and vegan makeup.
• Gift eco-friendly favours, such as 'bee-bombs'.
• Ask guests to make a charitable donation.
• Use seed paper for your stationery.
• Use a local flower shop.
• Preserve your bouquet.
• Ensuring your suppliers sustainability practices align with your beliefs
• Plant a tree.
• Sell or donate your wedding items after the big day!
• Ensuring your suppliers sustainability practices align with your beliefs
• Plant a tree.
• Sell or donate your wedding items after the big day!