When we started planning our wedding, I knew I wanted it to feel beautiful, meaningful, and… well, not wasteful. Weddings can be such a whirlwind of single-use everything, and I didn’t want to look back knowing so much of it ended up in the trash. The thing is, I also didn’t want to spend more money to make it sustainable.
As it turns out, you really don’t have to. With a little creativity, DIY-ing, and a few thoughtful swaps, we had the wedding we dreamed of without a bigger budget or a bigger footprint. Here’s exactly what we did.
DIY Magic
I wanted something simple but eye-catching above the dance floor, so I strung fake flowers together and hung them under the tent.I made my own hanging flower strands for the tent. They were lightweight, easy to string up, and looked exactly like I had pictured. It was a budget-friendly project that added a big impact, and afterward I was able to pass them along to another bride.
Skipping the Linens Altogether
We rented beautiful wood harvest tables for the reception, and honestly, they were so pretty on their own that covering them with linens felt like a shame. So we didn’t! We also noticed that a lot of people seem to be buying linens from Temu, but that they usually end up getting tossed because you can buy them brand new for very cheap. No tablecloth rentals, no extra laundry, no transport costs — just bare wood with a bunch of candles, flowers, and vases. It looked elegant, natural, and intentional.
Multi-Use Florals
All flowers we had worked double duty. Ceremony arrangements were brought into the reception space afterward, and bridesmaids’ bouquets became decor for the head and cake tables. I also kept my bridal bouquet after the wedding to dry and press the flowers. Later, I placed them in a floating frame, which now hangs in our home and is an awesome, sentimental keepsake from the day.
DIY Table Number Trifolds
Instead of printing separate menus, bar menus, and table numbers, I made my own trifold cards. One side had the table number, one side had the dinner menu, and the third side had the bar menu. It cut down on printing, kept the tables uncluttered, and gave guests all the info they needed in one place. Plus, because they were DIY, I could customize the design exactly how I wanted.
Food & Drink Choices That Made Sense
We chose a caterer that uses local, in-season ingredients, keeping our menu focused on what's freshest and most sustainable. This meant better flavour for our guests and lower transport emissions. We also skipped anything that came in individual packaging, so there was less waste to clean up at the end of the night.
Less Paper, More Purpose
Beyond the trifolds, we used digital invitations and RSVPs instead of printed ones. This choice saved us over $500 (the average cost of sending paper invites through the mail) and it made it so much easier to keep track of RSVPs in real time.
Nature as the Best Décor
When it came to the ceremony, we skipped the flowers, arches, and décor entirely. Instead, we let the spectacular view speak for itself—a choice that naturally reduced both cost and waste.
My Takeaway
Making our wedding more sustainable wasn’t about spending more – it was about being thoughtful and intentional. We didn’t sacrifice beauty or joy; if anything, those choices made the day feel even more us. If you’re planning your wedding and want to make it greener, start with just one or two swaps that feel doable. You might find, like we did, that the simplest choices end up being the most meaningful.
Author: Olivia Tognela
