How to plan a more sustainable and eco-friendly wedding
Weddings have an environmental footprint. From flowers flown in from abroad to single-use decorations heading to landfill, there's a lot that can feel wasteful. But sustainability doesn't mean sacrificing beauty or quality. Suppliers across the industry are making meaningful changes, and couples increasingly want to know their wedding isn't causing unnecessary harm.
Focus on the areas with biggest impact: flowers (choose British, seasonal, and foam-free), catering (local producers, minimal waste), and decorations (reusable, recyclable, or donatable). Ask suppliers directly about their environmental practices. Even small changes, like working with local florists or choosing caterers who source locally, make a genuine difference.
- Flowers: British and seasonal where possible, no floral foam, donate post-wedding
- Catering: Local farmers and producers, minimal food waste, proper recycling
- Decorations: Plants guests can take home, reusable items, avoid single-use
- Transport: Consider supplier proximity to venue, electric vehicles where available
- Ask suppliers: Most are already making changes and happy to discuss their approach
How are florists approaching sustainability?
Florists are at the forefront of sustainable changes because flowers have such obvious environmental impact when imported from abroad.
"At the Wessex Flower Company we strive to be as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible," explains Alicia Wessex Flower Co. "Over the past five years we have eliminated all floral foam and reduced our use of single-use plastics to a bare minimum. Those plastics we do use within our floral designs are reused year on year."
They prioritise British flowers when possible: "We use almost entirely British locally sourced flowers and foliage from April through to October. Through the winter months we use flowers from the Dutch markets, and every effort is made to ensure these flowers are grown sustainably and with the environment in mind."
Even vehicle choices are changing: "We are now considering moving over to an electric van which will reduce our emissions into the local environment."
What does "foam-free" mean for flowers?
Floral foam (also called Oasis) is a major environmental concern. It's plastic-based, doesn't biodegrade, and ends up in landfill.
"One of the biggest challenges and best ways to protect the environment as a florist is to not use floral foam or oasis," explains Lavender Green Flowers. "Essentially working in water only where possible, as oasis has a huge carbon footprint."
Many florists have now eliminated it entirely. If sustainability matters to you, ask directly: "Do you use floral foam?" A foam-free florist will be happy to explain their alternative methods.
Why does working seasonally matter?
Seasonal flowers are both more sustainable and often more beautiful.
"Working seasonally is really key," says Lavender Green Flowers. "Not asking for peonies in December and really using the best that nature has to offer at that time of year, which is always going to be a much more sustainable way of doing it."
A good florist will guide you towards what's in season for your date. April flowers are different from October flowers, and leaning into that, rather than fighting it, produces better results with lower environmental impact.
What happens to flowers after the wedding?
Sustainable florists have plans for post-wedding flowers rather than sending them to landfill.
"A lot of florists donate their flowers to charity post-event, so limiting and essentially avoiding any landfill," explains Lavender Green Flowers. "Inviting guests and couples to take the flowers home first, but anything that doesn't get taken home gets passed on to charities who then raise money off of the sale of those flowers, meaning they have that second life."
This is worth asking about when booking. It costs nothing and ensures your flowers continue bringing joy after the wedding ends.
How do planners encourage sustainability?
Wedding planners can influence multiple suppliers towards more sustainable practices.
"The way we approach sustainability or eco-friendly weddings is we try wherever we can to encourage suppliers to take a more sustainable approach," explains Bellissimo Weddings. "We're very mindful of trying to avoid waste wherever we can."
Their approach covers multiple areas:
Flowers: "We always try to encourage our couple to work with a florist who operates as locally as possible to their venue, so they are not travelling too far. The florists we work with will generally use British flower growers wherever they can and generally not work with Oasis."
Catering: "Caterers who work with local farmers, local growers, local producers, keeping all food purchases within a small radius of where the wedding is going to be, is a fantastic way of connecting with that eco-friendly approach."
Waste: "We always try to ensure waste is dealt with in a sensitive way. We will arrange recycling facilities for empty bottles, cardboard, etc."
Small touches: "A lot of florists and stylists will work with local companies who take candles back and remelt them to use again in the future. Little touches like that can really make a massive difference."
What decorations work for eco-friendly weddings?
Plants as centrepieces: "The use of plants that can then be gifted to guests down the table is a really nice idea," suggests Lavender Green Flowers. "Still creating something aesthetically pleasing while limiting that footprint."
Reusable items: Choose decorations that can be reused, donated, or resold rather than single-use items heading to landfill.
Skip the favours: As one venue noted earlier in this series, favours are often discarded anyway. Skipping them entirely reduces waste.
How can catering be more sustainable?
Food choices and sourcing have significant environmental impact.
Bellissimo Weddings recommends: "Caterers who work with local farmers, local growers, local producers, keeping all food purchases within a small radius of where the wedding is going to be."
Questions to ask your caterer:
- Where do you source your ingredients?
- How do you handle food waste?
- Do you offer locally sourced options?
Many caterers are already focusing on sustainability. They just need couples to ask about it.
Practical Sustainability Checklist
Frequently asked questions
Are sustainable weddings more expensive?
Not necessarily. British seasonal flowers can be cheaper than imported exotics. Local caterers may cost less than those travelling further. The key is priorities, not budget.
What if my venue doesn't recycle?
Ask if you can arrange it. Most venues are flexible if couples organise recycling facilities themselves.
Can I have a winter wedding sustainably?
Yes, though flower choices will differ. Winter British foliage can be beautiful. Accept that some flowers may need importing, but choose suppliers who vet their sources.
How do I find sustainable suppliers?
Ask directly. Most suppliers making environmental changes are happy to talk about them. If they seem confused by the question, they probably haven't prioritised it.
- Sustainability doesn't mean sacrifice. It means making thoughtful choices about where things come from, what happens to them afterwards, and whether the environmental cost is justified.
- Start with the big areas: flowers and food. Ask suppliers about their practices. Choose seasonal and local where possible. The wedding industry is changing, and suppliers who prioritise sustainability are increasingly easy to find.
- Your wedding can be beautiful and responsible. The two aren't in conflict.
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