HOT TOPIC Our experts offer stellar wedmin advice on planning a sustainable wedding A SLICE OF KINDNESS Carrie Raymond from Caritas Cake Design (https://caritascakedesign.co.uk) says: Opting for a cake maker who’s local to your venue will reduce not only the cost of delivery, but also the amount of travel involved. Ask them about their sustainability policies before making your choice. Here at Caritas Cake Design we’re dedicated to keeping the carbon footprint of the business down including reducing water usage and reliance on plastics. We shop locally, and buy Fairtrade where possible, while actively supporting local suppliers. You can help by choosing seasonal flavours and decorations that don’t need importing or would lead to waste, such as local, seasonal fruits and using sugar flowers, which can be kept rather than fresh blooms. And try not to order too much cake or have a plan in place for any left overs. Rather than buying a new stand or other elements for your cake table, see if there’s a hire option, or buy second hand. Just make sure you check with your cake maker that it’s strong enough to hold the weight on the day. BACK TO NATURE Kathryn from Tribeca Tips (www.tribecatipis.co.uk) says: When planning an outdoor wedding with a focus on sustainability, opt for a local venue and suppliers, including caterers, drinks companies (check out local micro breweries and wine merchants) and vintage tableware. Utilise foraged seasonal flowers, natural confetti, and work with a sustainable florist – look for suppliers with an eco-friendly ethos. Consider offering glamping for guests to reduce their carbon footprint, without the need for electricity, and choose a vintage bus to transport guests together. Also, try not to have any plastic bottles on tables or balloon decor. From handmade signage to creative bunting, foraged arches and repurposed materials like flower meadows made of cans, these elements can help bring your vision to life while being environmentally conscious. Embrace creativity and showcase your personality through these details that will make your wedding truly memorable. Last, but certainly not least, embrace tipis! They’re a natural choice for outdoor weddings. Not only do they blend in perfectly with nature, they’re made with sustainably harvested, strong, slow-grown spruce wood. And with our hand-picked interiors, including vintage wooden chairs, handmade reclaimed tables and wooden bar, we can help create a truly eco-friendly wedding celebration outdoors! SUSTAINABILITY SUSSED REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE Jacquie Keeley from Fab Food For You (www.fabfoodforyou.co.uk) says: Sussex boasts a range of excellent food and floral arrangement services, so shopping locally not only means we help one another, but also means less travel miles or reliance on shipping. We also have great views and landmarks nearby, making Sussex a popular location for tying the knot and avoiding further air traffic from destination weddings. Make your enquiries sustainable – can your caterer source organic and Fairtrade ingredients? Can your stationer ensure your invitations are made with recycled paper? Disposable plates, cutlery and plastics can be a game changer, but only if they’re compostable or recyclable. This also relates to kitchen waste where vegetable, fruits and more can be composted. Traditional rituals such as confetti-throwing and decorating with glitter don’t need to be harmful any more as biodegradable options are available too. Another key component is fair conditions. Clothing such as wedding dresses and suits make the day beautiful, and can be sourced from collections that promote fair working conditions, ethics, and use organic silks to make our world greener. https://racheltakespictures.co.uk ASK THE EXPERTS 61
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