By PAGE Editor

The wedding resource The Knot estimates that more than two-thirds of about 15,000 site users did (or planned to) incorporate eco-conscious touches into their weddings, including aspects such as secondhand decor, minimizing food waste, and avoiding one-time use products. With nearly one in three respondents saying that vendors should be more proactive in leading the way, those wondering how to actually plan for an eco-friendly ceremony may find themselves feeling a bit lost. For couples wondering what options are out there, here are just three ideas to get you started.

Minimizing waste

The average U.S. wedding produces 400 pounds of garbage and 63 tons of CO2. With that in mind, having the goal in mind to minimize as much waste as possible will help you to successfully plan an eco-conscious wedding — a feat that can be done subtly and in a way that doesn’t interfere with your theme/aesthetic. Zerowaste.com notes that zero-waste ideas can include a variety of unique solutions, such as handing out small sustainable products as wedding favors, opting for eco-friendly decor (like locally grown flowers or compostable paper decorations), and simply avoiding physical invitations.

How your rings can factor in

While many couples who are seeking to plan an eco-conscious wedding may be more focused on reducing waste or refining the guest list, planning to include the use of jewelry is another consideration worth taking. One way to ensure that your wedding rings are aligned with your eco-friendly goals is by simply knowing where the diamonds or gemstones originate, which will help you to ensure that you’re not purchasing a “blood diamond,” aka a “smuggled diamond used to fund a civil war,” according to Brides.com. Brides.com goes on to recommend using the resource known as The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme when tracking stones, though it also mentions that eco alternatives — such as lab-grown diamonds or simply using a family heirloom — can present worthy options, too.

For couples who wish to have customized rings, visiting a jeweler will allow you to pick from a variety of options that can suit anyone’s tastes. Whether you’re looking for a customizable, stackable wedding ring set, popular styles like petite twist rings, or eternity rings that feature an “endless row of brilliant diamonds and prismatic gemstones,” asking your jeweler about their commitment to the environment will ensure you’re shopping for ethical and conflict-free rings.

Seeking creative solutions

When seeking environmentally friendly measures to implement into your wedding, following the lead of couples who have done so successfully can spark inspiration for creative solutions. Italian couple Anna Masiello, 28, and Diogo Linhares, 29, are just one couple who took their wedding day to the next level by including a variety of noteworthy features. Their wedding, which featured a sustainably sourced plant-based menu, second-hand clothing, and heart-shaped leaf confetti showcases the numerous ways that sustainability can be successfully injected into a ceremony — and theirs only resulted in a cost of just $3,500 while keeping the wedding zero-waste.

Regarding the concept of buying an expensive gown that will only be worn once, Anna’s dress highlights just one way that future brides-to-be can make a positive impact on the environment. Having had her dress designed from off-cuts of factory materials, according to one NY Post article, she noted “I loved my dress, and I can wear it again,” further going on to say “It was so special to have it designed, and I felt so pretty in it.” With other options for eco-conscious gowns including investing in a second-hand dress or even opting for an eco-friendly wedding dress designer, there’s plenty of room for creativity that will allow you to choose the perfect dress for you.

Planning for a wedding is stressful enough but seeking ways to implement as many eco-friendly features as possible can make it even more so. Thankfully, injecting sustainability into your wedding doesn’t have to be difficult and can be achieved in many ways — from the dress to the waste involved and even the rings themselves.

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