Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - April/May 2020 (Issue 82)

USE RECYCLABLE MATERIALS OR SECOND-HAND PROPS FOR YOUR DÉCOR One of our biggest features for our brides is our Prop Shed, which holds every kind of decorative prop you can imagine: saving time, money and the planet as everything is reused from couple to couple. Some brides like to use bits they’ve picked up themselves – afterwards, think about donating to other brides for their day. ASK YOUR VENUE ABOUT ITS GREEN POLICY A big note when looking around venues is looking at its bar – if they are still using plastic straws, that’s a big no-no! Do they recycle everything on- site, use local suppliers, grow their own produce and have they cracked down on single-use plastic, among many other measures. TO F IND OUT MORE GO TO: THEWELLBE INGFARM.CO.UK Find local suppliers From your cake to your DJ, using suppliers who are local to you/ your venue is key to making your wedding sustainable and keeping your wedding’s carbon footprint down. Venues should have a list of recommended suppliers on their websites, who are all local to the property. CONSIDER SUSTAINABLE FAVOURS Think about not just what you want them to be, but also how they are packaged. Stay away from the plastic toys and trinkets, and cellophane wrapping that cannot be recycled. If there is an animal, environmental or sustainability charity that means something to you and your partner, a donation favour to that charity would be a good choice. IS YOUR STATIONERY SUSTAINABLE? As pretty as the save-the-date invitations and other stationery looks, think about using invites made from an ethically sourced or recycled material. DRESS UPCYCLE Why not donate your dress to a charity shop to make an impact long after the big day – this also applies to the bridesmaids’ dresses too if you’re looking for a green wedding! Also, keep away from silk and other materials that come from animals. 5 6 7 8 9 10 SUSTAINABLE WEDDINGS 47