Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - March/April 2021 (Issue 85)

WITH THIS RING How do we check for sustainable, eco-friendly options when it comes to choosing our rings and wedding jewellery? Charlotte says: If the perfect jewellery for you is one that has impeccable ethical credentials then it will take some research. Doing the right thing and making a difference is all about having the knowledge to get behind the headlines of what is actually happening on the ground, as it can be easy for companies to ’green-wash’ their products without being able to substantiate their claims. It’s still a work in progress, however there is a huge groundswell of support from consumers, as well as campaigners within the global jewellery industry, for full transparency and sustainability. To help you choose, here are some key questions to consider: Where is your jewellery made? Being handmade locally or in Britain is one of the best ways of ensuring quality with proper skills training, environment, fair conditions and pay for workers. Beware of the ’designed in the UK’ label and check the small print to see where the actual manufacture and/or stone setting is done as it may be an unregulated factory in the Far East, using cheap materials and labour. Where are the diamonds sourced? Established jewellers are more likely to know their gem and diamond dealers personally and have a long and trusted relationship in order to make sure their diamonds are conflict-free; not ’blood diamonds’ used to buy arms or fund civil wars. Are coloured gemstones traceable? Gems such as sapphires, emeralds and rubies can be bought from ethical dealers who can offer fully traceable precious stones. What is the environmental impact of gold, silver and platinum? Mining can take its toll on the environment and the availability of fully Fairtrade and Fairmined gold is still limited. Fairtrade gold has to be certified or you can have freshly smelted and processed recycled gold and silver in your rings. Can I repurpose and remodel existing heritage jewellery? This is one of the best ways to be truly sustainable and have high quality jewellery to last for generations to come. The stones and metal from inherited jewellery or sentimental pieces can often be redesigned and remodelled to create something new and unique to treasure for ever – the ultimate in enduring love for you and our precious environment. Charlotte Cornelius | Jewellery designer www.charlottecornelius.co.uk THE THREE Rs We want our wedding to be on-trend and super stylish, is this possible and still keep the environment in mind? Anouska says: At Raggy&Boo w e love to think up ways to be extra green and eco-friendly, it’s part of our ethos so we like to follow the three R rules; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. ❤ Shop local The internet and fantastic resources such as Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding make it easy to find suppliers close to your venue, which not only supports the local community, but also means less travel miles, reduces the carbon footprint of your wedding and will save you money! Try and pick businesses in tune with your green code with products that haven’t travelled the globe. ❤ Reuse and recycle The key here is to provide recycling bins at your wedding venue so the morning after isn’t quite as painful. Compost any organic material and donate or reuse any perishable leftovers, such as flowers, plants, food or drink. ❤ Best foot forward We know this isn’t always possible, but if you can walk from the ceremony to the reception it’s not only eco-friendly, but also works as a great little buffer between venues, plus you will really earn that welcoming glass of fizz. Why not turn it into a procession, with you and your guests following behind a roaming band? Imagine the great photos! ❤ Confetti A little time consuming but super cute, get a paper cutter and use it to punch out confetti from leaves. ❤ Reduce single-use plastic The events industry has had a pretty bad reputation in the past for the amount of single-use plastic it consumes. You can reduce this with a few simple steps for your eco wedding. • Instead of favours which may include plastic or be discarded, why not donate to charity instead and leave a little paper note at each guests place to let them know. Alternatively wildflower seed bombs in eco packaging are a great idea and help bees too. • Use real plates and cutlery, which look very chic anyway. If you’re going for more of a festival vibe with food trucks for the catering then check the suppliers use recyclable crockery and cutlery. • Instead of bottled water, set up a water station with refillable jugs and glasses for your guests Anouska Parsons | Event manager and founder www.raggyandboo.com EXPERT ADVICE 95