Your Surrey Wedding - April/May 2024 (Issue 106)

Our experts offer stellar wedmin advice on planning a sustainable wedding Getty Images RIGHT ON TRACK Personal travel consultant Sally Bosman from Not Just Travel (https://sallybosman.notjusttravel.com) says: Sustainable travel is becoming ever popular as people are growing more aware of the environmental impact of transport pollution, energy over-usage, waste disposal and community support. In Europe, the rail and public transport links are so good, that it’s possible to avoid flying to your destination; it may take a little longer, but you’ll get to see more of the countries you’re passing through. If you’re looking to travel further afield, you can often replace internal flights with train or coach travel. There are also some amazing eco-lodges and hotels all over the world, that’re very environmentally conscious and work hard to support their communities in both sourcing local products and services and employing local people. I love to talk about sustainable travel and, through my business, am affiliated with an initiative that supports rewilding projects that help protect and restore ecosystems across the world. I invite all my clients to make a contribution when they book their travel. HOT TOPIC Sustainability sussed GREEN IDEAS Lauren Goodman founder of Bluebird Bride Academy (www.bluebirdbrideacademy.co.uk) says: Making conscious decisions around weddings and sustainability is becoming increasingly important to couples. Implementing some small tweaks can be effective when you’re looking at suppliers and venues. Some simple tips include researching and sourcing produce from the UK. For example, you can look at caterers who source local produce to cut down their carbon footprint. Ask your planner or the venue for recommendations on this. Depending on the time of year and the flowers you want, you can opt for what’s in season in the UK. When having initial conversations with your florist, you can ask for an understanding of which locally grown flowers may work well for your vision to avoid unnecessary shipping. It’s also a good idea to look for florists who work foam-free; as a business, this is absolutely non-negotiable for us! In addition, an increasingly popular place to source table decor, linen and extra touches is Facebook marketplace and Facebook groups. Check out local wedding groups to see what’s available before purchasing online. Although lots of cheap online stores are catering for wedding markets, trying to shop second-hand is a far better option. You can also make some money back on these after your wedding! https://jobradburyweddingphotographer.wordpress.com EXPERT ADVICE 67

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