How to have an eco-wedding

Venue
Your choice of venue will have a big impact on the carbon footprint of your big day. Choose a venue that already has a focus on sustainability to make a difference. If you’re going for a natural theme, a venue with rustic character and personality can be enhanced with minimal decorations – these are one of the key contributors to wedding waste. Reducing travel for your guests is a very effective eco-conscious decision. Look for venues that have space for the ceremony, meal and reception all in one location, and with suitable accommodation close by. Find a way to give back to the planet as part of your celebration. Planting native trees in honour of your wedding will provide fantastic, long-lasting memories and you can always revisit ‘your’ woodland to see it grow!

Catering
With 10% of food going to waste every wedding, it’s worth finding a caterer who cares about their environmental impact. Using a local caterer who brings in staff from the area, making the most of fresh, local Scottish produce and hiring crockery and cutlery to reduce single-use plastic, are all ways to improve sustainability. Fairtrade, and Organic suppliers usually work to reduce their carbon emissions and waste management. Consider what happens to the leftover food, can this be donated instead of thrown in the rubbish at the end of the day? Check out Lazy Sunday Catering and Wild Rover – Catering who offer the most amazing local produce delivered in exceptional ways for your wedding dinner.

Drink
Instead of bringing in trucks of supplies and staff, here at Kinkell Byre we have a preferred bar supplier here on site, Event Bars, St Andrews who can supply everything drink related that you need for your day. Event Bars, St Andrews who are an eco-conscious business, can offer great selection of keg beer which means less glass waste, and again, they use local suppliers of beer and spirits who take sustainability seriously which means a smaller carbon footprint.

Event Bars, St Andrews have a great working relationship with St Andrews Brewing Company  who can provide freshly brewed kegs of beer made only a couple of miles away from Kinkell Byre.

Consider having local cider or beer as your fizz as Scotland is completely self-sufficient in cider apples and hops meaning there is less environmental impact when producing cider beer. Serve it in a small glass or flute with edible garnishes rather than the large pint glass cider is typically served in. Using British-produced wine cuts down on transport miles. At Kinkell Byre we have some incredible suppliers in the local area, such as the award-winning Cairn O’ Mohr winery.

Event Bars, St Andrews can also provide recycled glass bottles that can be used to serve your table water.

Flowers
Although flowers are an integral part of your venue’s decoration, sadly they often end up in waste afterwards. Exotic blooms grown in commercial hothouses may be beautiful, but they are not the most eco-friendly. If you are open to your choice of colour pallete, then perhaps consider a local florist for advice. Choose one who grows their own flowers, or uses seasonal wildflowers so that they do not have to ship in cut stems from overseas. A popular choice for rustic table decorations are recycled jars filled with simple wildflower posies. Gift them to your guests to enjoy after the wedding. Local care homes also appreciate donations of larger floral arrangements to brighten up their communal spaces and spread some joy. Dried flowers may also be a longer-lasting option, however, not all dried flowers are eco-friendly. Blue Poppy florist, one of eco-friendly suppliers grows and supplies beautiful seasonal flowers grown only a few miles away.

The outfit
Fitting in with the ‘something borrowed’ or ‘something old’ tradition for weddings, the most eco-friendly approach to your wedding outfits is to wear something that has been worn before and will be worn again. Choosing a vintage or pre-loved dress can add to the romance of your day, especially if there is a story attached to your outfit. Hiring suits and accessories is an eco-conscious and cost-effective solution, especially if the men are going for traditional Scottish attire, and there are companies close by in St Andrews or throughout Scotland who can help you with this. There are also a growing number of designers and even stores in the High Street with ethical credentials. Check out rockmywedding, bridalreloved, and bridesdogood for some inspiration.

Stationery
The obvious option is to go digital to cut down on paper waste, and there is an increasing trend to create and send e-invites. This can be such a fun post-engagement activity that can tie in with an engagement photoshoot. However, we know that stationery does have a charm and creativity which can also tie in with your décor on the day. When choosing your stationery provider look for one that has some green options. Check your printers are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Select recyclable paper, foils, glitter, and other materials with a little reminder to pop them in the correct bin when they are finished with them. Plantable invites are a beautiful way to set the tone for your eco wedding and provide a lasting keepsake – companies such as Laura Likes produce gorgeous paper goods using sustainable materials.

Décor
Floral and paper decorations contribute to so much unnecessary wedding waste. Kinkell Byre already provides a natural rustic backdrop with atmospheric lighting, so you don’t need much more decoration to create the perfect mood. Use recycled materials for your signage and table plan, or look for companies that hire out vintage props. Make your table look pretty with recycled old bottles as candle holders, place names created from natural materials such as wood slices from an old branch, or edible treats that double up as favours for your guests. Pinterest is full of lots of amazing eco-friendly options when it comes to favour ideas, such as a wildflower bomb, plant seeds or little pots of local honey. Replace the traditional guest book with a household item or recycled material such as driftwood for your guests to sign. You can then place it somewhere at home or in the garden where you can appreciate it every day.

Other Suppliers
With such a variety of quality suppliers in our area, we are advocates for supporting our local economy at Weddings for the Wild! When you choose local small businesses, you are also cutting out unnecessary delivery mileage. Many of our suppliers also source their goods from other local businesses, such as our recommended cake suppliers: they belong to our area and use local mills for their flour and nearby farmers (or neighbours with pet chickens) for their eggs. Our photographers can recommend the best settings for stunning pictures at our venue as they know it well. Making the most of our onsite locations means less travel for you on the day and helps reduce your carbon footprint.