In this episode, we take a look at the environmental impact of weddings and ways you can put some climate consciousness into your big day out.
Wedding Dress
It’s well-known that wedding dresses are typically only worn once. With thousands of weddings a year in Ireland, that makes for a lot of unsustainable items of clothing (gowns) being left alone never to see the light of day.
One local bride in County Wexford decided enough was enough. Stylist and Journalist Laura Mullet broke the mold on her one-year anniversary. Just 12 months on from the big day, her stunning floor-length gown with a wide lengthy fishtail train was shortened and worn again.
“I kind of toyed with the idea; should I sell the dress? Is it wasteful to just hold onto it? I didn't want it gathering dust in a garment bag and it was taking up so much space.
“I had my anniversary coming up and we were heading to New York and I just thought wouldn't it be so amazing to revisit those lovely feelings and get to wear the dress again?
“So I went to my local dressmaker's and explained to her I'd love to make it a midi dress.
“I wanted to use the excess fabric maybe to make a communion or confirmation or baptism dress down the line.
“I just kind of thought, you know what? I want to just enjoy this and not just have it as a relic sitting in my closet. So when she altered the dress, it took two fittings. It was way -fast, there was a slit up the back so I could walk in it.”
Here’s our list of 5 ideas for a more sustainable wedding if you’re planning your Big Day
1. Choose your venue wisely
Try to choose a location that requires the least amount of miles for the majority of your guests and encourage lift sharing. You could also ask about the green credentials of your preferred venues to see how they operate and what they’re doing about their carbon footprint.
2. Green your Gift List
Sponsoring wildlife, planting trees and hedgerows, or simply making a donation to the charity means that the magic of your special day can keep supporting nature long into the future.
3. Make your menu eco-friendly
A vegan or vegetarian menu would reduce the environmental impact of the wedding meal. Single-serve packaging creates more waste, so you could consider pouring from bigger glass bottles like magnums that you can easily recycle.
4. Support ethical fashion choices
Buying a vintage or pre-loved second-hand wedding dress from a charity bridal store is one way you can reduce your environmental impact. Rewear, swap, resell, donate or recycle your wedding dress after the big day.
5. Ask your florist for local and seasonal options
Ask your wedding florist if they can source locally-grown flowers, or suggest some seasonal alternatives.
For more information, check out:
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