Sustainable Weddings: Expert Tips from a Local Stylist and Florist

Wedding Tips

13 Jun

Planning a wedding can be one of the most exciting times in your life, but it can also have a significant impact on the environment. We’ve asked stylist and stationer Kaity from KS Creative Co and florist Dakota from Wild Things Floristry to share their top tips on how to make your wedding more sustainable without sacrificing style or costing the earth.

Sustainable Stationery and Styling

Kaity from KS Creative Co. emphasises the importance of thinking locally and sustainably when it comes to your wedding décor and stationery. Here are her top tips:

1. Hire, Don’t Buy

Instead of purchasing styling items from online, overseas sites like Temu and Shein, consider hiring beautiful, high-quality pieces from local suppliers. This not only supports small businesses but also reduces waste. Additionally, you could explore local op-shops for decor items - you'd be surprised at the great finds you can discover.

2. Sustainable Stationery

Utilise QR codes on your invitations that link to a wedding website detailing all your extra information. This can save on both printing and paper, making your wedding more eco-friendly (and also saves on postage). Or ditch the paper all together and go completely digital by emailing out a copy of your invitation instead with an online RSVP or SMS option.

3. Hire Linens

Hiring linen instead of buying can significantly reduce waste. Many local suppliers offer a wide range of options that can match any wedding theme.

4. Pass It On

After your big day, consider selling your wedding items to other couples. This not only helps you recoup some costs but also promotes a circular economy. There are plenty of online groups dedicated to this very concept.

Making your wedding florals more sustainable

Dakota from Wild Things Floristry shares her insights on how to incorporate sustainability into your wedding florals.

As a loved up, newly engaged couple, the environmental impact of your wedding florals might not be top of mind. However, many people would be surprised to learn just how much their floral choices can affect the planet. The good news? You can have stunning wedding florals without it costing the earth. Here are some tips to help you make your wedding flowers more sustainable.

1. Choose a Foam-Free Florist (Or arrangements that don't require foam)

Floral foam is commonly used in flower arranging, not that you would have seen it unless you took a peek between the petals at your last event. Unfortunately, floral form poses some alarming environmental concerns as it breaks down into non-degradable microplastics and leaches toxic compounds into waterways. Fortunately, many florists are now offering foam-free techniques. These methods might require more time and thinking out of the box, but the result can be just as beautiful. When selecting a florist, ask about their use of floral foam and seek out those who commit to foam-free practices. Choosing venues with longer setup times can give your florist more freedom to create foam-free designs on-site.

2. Avoid Preserved and Dyed Blooms

While artificially preserved and chemically dyed flowers offer unique colors and longevity, they come with environmental downsides. The preservation processes can turn natural, compostable materials into products that must be sent to landfill and are often harmful to the environment. Instead, opt for naturally dyed flowers. They may not last as long but they'll end up back in the ground where they belong and you'll be supporting more natural and organic farming practices to boot.

3. Choose Local Flowers and Embrace Seasonal Blooms

Seasonal flowers are those which naturally bloom during your wedding season. These flowers require fewer resources to grow and are often more abundant, making them a sustainable choice. Choosing in-season flowers reduces the need for long-distance transportation, cutting down on carbon emissions. Opting for local flowers where possible, further reduces the environmental impact associated with cooling and shipping, and supports local growers. Plus, local flowers are likely to be fresher, higher quality, as they haven't spent days in transit.

4. Reuse, Repurpose and Dispose Thoughtfully

Maximize the use of your wedding flowers by repurposing them throughout your event. For example, ceremony arrangements can be moved to the reception area. This approach not only reduces waste but also ensures you get the most value out of your floral budget. After the wedding, consider giving your flowers to your guests as gifts. This one is mostly out of your hands as bride and groom but if you can opt for a florist who separates recycling, landfill and compostable materials. This way, any green waste from your event ends up back in the garden growing flowers for future weddings.

5. Plan Your Event Around Flowers

If flowers are a big part of your vision, plan your wedding around peak flower avalibility in Spring or Summer. If you have your heart set on a particular bloom or colour palette, work with the seasons to ensure those flowers will be in local supply. Remember, winter has a beautiful array of Australian native wildflowers and Autumn is perfect for a floral focus on colourful foliage.