Your wedding day goes off without a hitch. It’s beautiful, the florals were stunning, and your dress got so many compliments. The Question is … what happens now?
Just ask a Mother of the Bride how much decor and leftover items are sitting in the closet (or the trashcan) after the wedding. It can seem like the only option is to go out and buy all of the items to create your ideal aesthetic, even for those of us who are minimalists at heart. With a little bit of intentional planning, you can have your desired look and have an environmentally-friendly wedding.
Rent (rather than buy) your wedding decor & Consider decor that will be treasured keepsakes later.
In 2024, there are more and more options to rent items like candles, lanterns, and those items you’ll probably only use once. When will you need reserved signs or eighty pillar candles again? While the cost is less expensive or comparable to buying, the biggest advantage for you is that they are returned to the rental company and do not have to go home with you. Bride & Joy, Something Vintage, (and many, many others) each have a great inventory of specialty items to choose from, with delivery and pick-up available on the wedding day.
There are some items that you will buy specifically for the wedding day and that is totally understandable. There are also many items that you COULD buy because they are touted on TikTok as a must-have but might not have lasting (or any value) after the wedding day.
Items like a photo display of loved ones will always be a treasured item and your guests will enjoy sharing that legacy with you. A more fun example might be this wedding who decided to invite their guests to sign a travel book of Greece – where they would be honeymooning! I would bet this will be a book this couple flips through and enjoys for years to come. 
Give your wedding dress new life after the big day
Are you already wondering what you will do with your gorgeous dress after the wedding day? I must confess that my dress is still hanging in my closet. What if you could give new life to your dress by donating to a bride who can’t afford that gorgeous designer dress? As much as I love thrift stores, there are some far better ways to donate: St. Anthony’s Bridal, Brides Against Breast Cancer, and Fairytale brides on a shoestring budget are all local shops dedicated to providing low cost, beautiful gowns for ladies who can’t afford a designer price.
Sustainable welcome bags
If couples ask me for my opinion on welcome bags, I always give a resounding yes. They are a fantastic way to make your guests feel well, welcomed. That being said, they can also create quite a bit of waste and leftover wrappings. Consider items with minimal packaging. Better yet, slip in a guide to your city with coffee spots, your favorite museum, and nearby attractions for the ultimate personal touch.
Recycle your blooms, or even better, buy local sustainable florals.
Did you know that there are companies specifically dedicated to giving your wedding florals a second life? Quite often, couples plan to send home centerpieces with guests, but often times guests are traveling and do not wish to take one home with them. Companies like Petals for Hope will arrange for a pick up at your venue and distribute to those in need where your arrangements can bring joy to others at no cost to you.
My floral friends at Farbungalow Farm have taught me so much about the world of sustainable and ethical farming & floristry. I highly encourage you to consider local and talk to your florist about how they source their blooms. This photo for instance of this gorgeous mandap (Indian Ceremony Arch) – while we were not able to make a plan to repurpose these florals, these were grown by the designer and farmer herself, and we know sustainability is present in every step from seed to finished product (with no use of floral foam, extra packaging and more).
An alternative to favors
More and more couples are considering their options for favors or choosing to forgo. Consumable favors with minimal packaging pass the test of sustainability and are most likely to be enjoyed by guests.
THE DO GOODER
While consumable gifts like a dessert or candles are popular choices, perhaps you want to infuse meaning and a little philanthropy into your celebration. Donate to your favorite cause or charity in lieu of favors as a way to include your guests into the offering, with a little note at each place setting.
LET THEM EAT CAKE (or MACARONS)
Cookies have become art! Custom designed cookies with your name or even better, the guests’ names can be easily incorporated into the seating chart, the place setting, or a sweet treat bar that opens after dinner.
OPTIONS of ENTERTAINMENT ARE ENDLESS
When my couple posed the idea of having a caricature artist during cocktail hour, I wasn’t quite sure about it, to be honest. It turned out to be quite a hit and was surprisingly affordable. Guests got to be entertained by an artist live, and to take their caricature as a keepsake.
What have you incorporated into your plans or done differently to plan a sustainable wedding?
Please shoot us a DM on instagram and we’d love to feature you in a future post.
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Alyssa Glorioso is a planner based in Virginia and serves the D.C. area and beyond. You can find out more about her by visiting her website: www.gloriousweddings.co or emailing her at: alyssa@gloriousweddings.co
