Every couple’s proposal is unique. Maybe you were on a sandy beach, surrounded by the warm hues of the setting sun. You could have been perched atop a mountain, overlooking endless greenery and life below. It could have even happened here at the Garden!
If the great outdoors is a big part of your love story, you might be wondering how your partnership can help make a positive impact on the planet. Luckily, we’ve come up with a few ways to plan a more sustainable wedding without compromising on your big day!
Create an Eco-Conscious Registry
Creating a registry is one of the first steps for planning your celebration. Sharing your commitment to an eco-friendly wedding on your wedding website is a great way to encourage guests to participate. When curating your registry, prioritize items that will last years into your marriage, such as high-quality kitchenware, custom artwork, and durable home furnishings. Subscriptions, experiences, donations, plants, and locally sourced gifts are also great registry list items that are available at a variety of price points for your guests to choose from.
Select Unique Décor
Locally grown florals, eco-friendly candles, and found materials are simple alternatives to traditional wedding décor that you can feel good about. They achieve the same end look while having much more sustainable beginnings. When searching for decorations, embrace practices like thrifting and renting items. With a bit of planning, it’s easy to repurpose decorations from your ceremony for the reception space. These mindful choices not only create a stunning wedding, but they also play a significant role in minimizing the environmental impact of your celebration.
Selecting the space to hold your celebration is also a great opportunity to customize the look of your wedding. The Johnson Woodland Garden envelops your wedding in the natural beauty of the great outdoors. Featuring native plants and flowers of Wisconsin, a flagstone aisle, and walls of lush forest, it’s sure to stun on your big day. Plus, it’s great home of garden inspo! Native plants and wildflowers are adapted to our climate, so they’re sure to be a sustainable pick.
To make sure your stunning sustainable decorations don’t go to waste, send your guests home with center pieces, flower arrangements, or candles that were used in your space. Edible gifts like locally sourced honey, jams, and desserts are the perfect favor while creating minimal waste.
Minimize Travel
Consider transportation, and encourage friends and family to carpool with other guests attending your wedding. Some couples even decide to provide transportation like shuttles, trolleys, and ride-shares to avoid excessive vehicles while also giving their guests a unique and worry-free experience.
Plan Your Party
There are so many ways to have a sustainable reception that’s still packed with fun! Deciding to use compostable or reusable tableware is a great way to avoid single-use plastics. Spread your love to your community by donating leftover food to a local charity or foundation that’s close to you and your partner’s heart. This can be a special way to make an impact and make sure no food is going to waste. Start the conversation ahead of time to look over your chosen organization’s policies, and coordinate the donation of your leftover meals!
A Sustainable Sendoff
End your day with a grand exit. Celebrate your love by encouraging guests to blow bubbles or shake colorful ribbon wands. These are great alternatives to tossing plastic confetti or releasing balloons while still creating beautiful memories and photos of the night’s end.
Remember, every small effort counts, and tailoring these ideas to your preferences can make your wedding not only sustainable but also memorable. Here at the Garden, we’re eager to help customize the wedding to bring your eco-friendly vision to life. To inquire about having a ceremony or reception at the Garden, or find additional information about Garden weddings, contact our Events Team at weddings@gbbg.org or 920.593.5683.
