Having a more sustainable wedding
- Rooted Floral Design
- Feb 4
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 5
Weddings are beautiful, deeply personal celebrations, but they can also generate an enormous amount of waste. In an age where the climate crisis is impossible to ignore, many couples find themselves feeling at odds with the traditional wedding industry. The sheer scale of disposable decor, imported flowers, and so much money spent on one day can make it difficult to plan a wedding that aligns with your values.
The good news? There are ways to have a more sustainable wedding, which can make your day feel even more meaningful and special to you. As a bonus, many of these more sustainable choices will also save you money and stress. If you're not sure where to start, here are some tips we have for planning a wedding with sustainability in mind.
1. Choose your venue intentionally
Your venue is the foundation of your wedding aesthetic, and choosing wisely can drastically reduce the amount of additional decor needed. Look for a space that already reflects the style you love rather than one that you have to transform, whether that's a lush garden, a historic estate, an art-filled gallery, or an architecturally stunning building. The more built-in beauty a venue has, the less you'll need to add, which means fewer single-use items, less waste, and less money spent on decor that you'll never use again.
Beyond aesthetics, consider how your venue aligns with your values:
Sustainability-focused venues: Choosing a venue with eco-conscious policies can make a big difference. Some venues, like Barr Mansion, prioritize sustainability with zero waste practices, certified organic catering, solar powered buildings, and more. You can also get married in a public park or botanical garden so that your venue fee will help maintain public green spaces, or host at a local farm or restaurant that prioritizes sustainability.
Nontraditional venues: There are a few wedding venues in Austin that support non-profits, like Sanctuary Event Space, which benefits the Amala Foundation, and The Mansion, which benefits the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs. Libraries, community centers, and museums are other great options (and see above: public parks!). The key is think outside the box, while also considering wedding day logistics such as restrooms, catering prep space, rain plans, and having enough time to set up and clean up.
2. Ask your vendors about sustainability
Most people don't realize just how much waste is generated behind the scenes of a wedding. From food that gets thrown out, to floral foam and plastic packaging, the industry isn't built with sustainability in mind. That's why it's important to work with vendors who share your priorities or are open to accommodating your vision.
Wedding planners: If you're working with a planner, find out if they have experience with eco-friendly weddings! Even if you opt for a coordinator instead, your coordinator will handle all of the day-of logistics, including overseeing cleanup, so it's important that they understand and support what you want to happen. Caterers: Ask about locally-sourced ingredients, composting, and reusable or compostable dinnerware. Even if a caterer doesn't explicitly market themselves as sustainable, they may be willing to work with you to reduce waste. Florists: The floral industry is often wasteful, relying on imported flowers, excessive packaging, and floral foam (which is a toxic, single-use, and non-biodegradable material used in nearly all event floral design). Look for a florist who sources locally, avoids floral foam, and has a plan for composting flowers after the event. Donating flowers after your event can sometimes be an option, but truthfully, wedding flowers are intentionally at the end of their life (that’s when the flowers are the most open and most beautiful), so sometimes that can have the opposite effect. (We occasionally donate flowers when it makes sense, and we donate dye-friendly flowers to be used as fabric dye.) If you do not need any floral installations, you may also be able to work directly with a local flower farm. The goal does not have to be to eliminate all waste, but to be intentional about minimizing it where you can. That said, it is possible to have a true zero-waste wedding if that's your goal. We've seen it (and have been a part of it) multiple times!
3. Be flexible with your vision
Sustainability requires a shift in mindset. Instead of focusing on executing a hyper-specific Pinterest board, think about how you can incorporate sustainable alternatives while still creating an aesthetic that feels like you. The more flexible you are, the easier it will be to make environmentally-conscious choices.
Decor: Borrow, thrift, or rent decor instead of buying new. Mismatched vintage plates, repurposed fabrics, artwork, and found items from nature can all create a stunning and unique look. Austin Dish Lending Library offers a free collection of beautiful mismatched dishware that is perfect for smaller weddings. Loot Rentals also prioritizes sustainability by sourcing more sustainable furniture and working hard to keep their rental items out of the landfill. Flowers: Seasonal, locally-grown flowers will always have a lower footprint than imported flowers. Some florists (like us!) can also create designs with native plants that require fewer resources to grow. When local flowers are out of season, you can opt for alternatives such as potted plants, dried flowers, locally-sourced greenery, seasonal fruits and vegetables, candles, and much more. We love brainstorming with clients to come up with ideas that feel like them. Attire: Consider buying a secondhand wedding dress, renting formalwear, or choosing brands that prioritize ethical and sustainable production. Vintage and pre-owned dresses are often more affordable and just as beautiful.
Having a sustainable wedding doesn't mean giving up the details that make your day special. It means being creative and intentional: choosing vendors who align with your values, minimizing waste where possible, and keeping an open mind. Even small changes can add up to make a meaningful impact.
Our list of vendors who share these values is constantly evolving as we discover more, but we're happy to share what we know (we don't have a public list yet, since our list is incomplete!). If you'd like our most up-to-date recommendations, send us a message. And if you're looking for a florist who understands and prioritizes sustainability, we'd love to work with you!
(First photo by Alex Adams; second photo by Lauren Reynolds; third photo by Lauren Slusher.)
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