Branch Blog Vol. 17: Green is the New White… Eco-Chic Wedding Ideas for the Planet-Loving Couple
Sustainable Wedding Ideas for Eco-Conscious Couples
First of all, let’s just say this: planning a sustainable wedding doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style, vibe, or that over-the-top floral moment you’ve been dreaming about since forever. It does mean being a little more intentional with your choices—and trust us, Mother Earth will thank you with golden hour lighting and birdsong worthy of a rom-com soundtrack. Probably starring Ryan Gosling.
Here are some of our favorite ideas for keeping things chic and green:
1. Invitations That Don’t Cost the Earth (Literally)
Digital invites are having a major moment—and not just because they’re basically RSVP wizardry. Sites like Paperless Post and Greenvelope let you send stunning designs with zero paper waste. Still in love with snail mail? Try recycled paper or seeded paper invitations that your guests can literally plant in their backyard. Instant wildflowers? Yes, please. Bonus points if they post the bloom progress on Instagram.
2. A Dress (or Suit) With a Past
Vintage is not just for the cool aunt with impeccable taste and stories that start with "Back in my day..." Opt for a pre-loved wedding dress or a rented tux—you get that fashion moment and reduce textile waste. Some brides even choose convertible outfits they can wear again and again. Because one-hit wonders are better left in the '90s—like frosted tips and rhinestone chokers…
3. Florals That Keep On Giving
Say no to imported blooms with a carbon footprint and yes to locally-grown, seasonal flowers. Or go bold and skip the cut flowers altogether with potted plants or dried arrangements. Bonus: your guests can take them home and feel like plant parents. (Just don’t blame us if they name the fern after you.)
4. The Great (Green) Feast
Think farm-to-table, but make it wedding fabulous. Work with caterers who use local, organic ingredients and offer plenty of vegetarian or vegan options. Pro tip: a grazing table with fresh produce, artisanal bread, and locally-made cheese is always a crowd-pleaser. Also doubles as a pre-dancefloor carb-loading station.
5. Decor Worth Reusing (or Renting)
Pinterest-perfect decor doesn’t have to be single-use. Rent tableware, furniture, and even backdrops instead of buying. Reuse what you can—or hit up your thrift store for vintage vases, candle holders, and quirky treasures. Eco meets eclectic realness. And hey, who doesn’t want a centerpiece that doubles as a conversation starter? (“Yes, that candelabra is from my neighbor’s garage sale.”)
6. Favors That Won’t End Up in a Junk Drawer
Mini succulents, handmade soaps, or donations to a charity in your guests’ names = thoughtful and useful. (Because let’s be honest, no one needs another bottle opener shaped like a seashell. Unless your theme is 'nautical nostalgia,' in which case, carry on.)
7. Leave No Trace (Just Memories)
Offset your carbon footprint with a donation to a reforestation project, choose a venue with green certifications, or organize group transportation to cut down on emissions. And yes, a hybrid-electric wedding getaway car is definitely a vibe. Just make sure it has a good playlist. (Eco-friendly doesn't mean musically boring.)
Sustainable weddings aren’t about doing everything perfectly. They’re about making mindful choices that align with your values—and still throwing the party of the year. So wear the vintage dress, toast with organic bubbly, and dance under LED fairy lights like you're the finale of a feel-good indie film. Your love is worth celebrating, and the planet is too.
Ready to say “I do” to sustainability? We’ll bring the compostable confetti—and maybe a biodegradable kazoo or two.