Attn Couples: Have You Considered an Eco-Friendly Wedding?

How to make weddings more eco friendly? Planning a 'green' wedding is easier than you might think.

 

 

Everyone wants their wedding to be memorable. But what does that actually mean? While that depends on the couple, we sometimes equate “memorable” with “big,” which often translates into “carbon intensive.”

 

That’s why it’s important to talk about eco-friendly weddings, because having a 'green', low-environmental impact wedding is easier than you think!

 

More couples than every are saying that they want to avoid leaving a large carbon footprint. With climate change on everyone’s mind, and climate justice becoming a national focus, couples are looking for ways to celebrate their love without screwing over the polar bears in Antarctica. (We’re going to plug Netflix’s new show Our Planet here, go watch it!)

 

Sustainable wedding items

 

A big trend on Etsy is sustainable wedding items. In the past four months, there were 107,000 searches for environmentally safe products on Etsy, including items such as reusable straws, biodegradable confetti, and vintage decor. 

 

A fun and easy way to reduce the amount of manufactured material used at your event is to write the menu on chalkboards, instead of printing individual paper menus for each guest. It’s really that simple. Now take that idea and run with it, and see where else you can reduce your paper use! (Think save the date cards, invitations, party favors, gift wrapping... what are some green alternatives?)

 

According to Etsy’s trend expert, Dayna Isom Johnson, “It’s all about making smart decisions during wedding planning and opting for a green approach that will not only save the couple money, but also make them feel a little better about their impact on the planet.”

 

 

your wedding is happening somewhere down here...

 

 

Consider eco conscious catering options

 

Yes, eco friendly catering is a thing! Choosing a caterer that specializes in locally grown and seasonal food is another way for couples to plan a more eco-friendly ceremony. Make sure they use reusable dishes, glassware, and utensils, too.

 

Bethany Pickard of Modern Kicks Event Planning said that “It’s really an opportunity to have incredibly fresh and seasonal ingredients while also lowering the environmental impact overall.”

 

Good food that makes you feel good!

 

 

Wondering how to reduce your carbon footprint, wedding style? Make weddings more eco friendly by hiring eco-friendly vendors, keep things simple and small, limit travel, and purchase or borrow sustainable wedding items.

 

 

Off-set or reduce your carbon footprint

 

American Marriage Ministries is committed to working towards a cleaner, safer planet, which is why we're partnered with Carbonfund.org to become a certified carbon neutral organization.

 

This means that the carbon emissions associated with your online ordination, and all carbon emissions associated with running our organization, have been offset by reforestation projects, energy efficiency projects, and investments in renewable energy!

 

If you’re interested in making your wedding 'carbon neutral', Carbonfund.org offers carbon offsets for individuals, too, and events like weddings. If you are inviting less than 250 guests, you can purchase a full carbon offset for only $75.00. Folks will appreciate the sentiment, and they'll feel much better about their flight or drive to the event.

 

 

If you’ve officanted an eco-friendly wedding or have tips on how to plan one, we want to hear them. Email them to [email protected] for us to share in our newsletter and on social media.

 

Updated November 22, 2024

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More eco friendly wedding ideas & inspiration: 

 

• AMM is Carbon Neutral and Proud
   
• Why You Should Elope (An Illustrated Guide)

 

• Plan a Wedding Ceremony in a National or State Park During COVID-19, in 5 Steps
   

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Ask a Friend to Get Ordained Online to Officiate a Wedding, with Help From American Marriage Ministries!

 

Good things happen when friends and relatives help out at the wedding ceremony! Ask a friend or family member to officiate your wedding with free online ordination through American Marriage Ministries (AMM). 

|* custom-button, "https://theamm.org/ordination-application", "ORDAINED MINISTER ONLINE APPLICATION" *|

Why AMM? American Marriage Ministries is an inclusive nondenominational internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and help people from all backgrounds and beliefs become ordained ministers for weddings. Our online ordination is free, accessible, and never expires.

 

Officiating weddings is an incredible honor, and a great way to show your love and support for the people getting married. As a wedding officiant, you will help to create memorable ceremonies and memories that last a lifetime.

AMM Ministers can legally officiate weddings in every state* (it's much harder in Virginia, where we're looking into our options). After getting ordained with AMM, you might need to register your ordination with your local county clerk’s office. Click the link above to get started! 

 

 

Become an ordained minister online with American Marriage Ministries and officiate wedding for friends and relatives. (Photo cropped: Biserka Stojanovic / iStock)

 

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