Thinking more and more often about the depletion of the planet's resources, the wedding industry is also trying to look for a more environmentally friendly approach. Already in 2020, one of the wedding trends was sustainable or green thinking . Every event not only weddings, is resource-consuming, but with additional imagination and effort we can certainly reduce our activity harmful effects. When it comes to sustainability, there are several important factors to consider. The three most important – reuse , reduce , recycle – reuse, reduce impact and recycle waste can definitely serve as a mantra when planning any wedding. LĪGAVĀM collected advice, and you can implement these principles and organize a sustainable wedding .

Reuse

• Wedding dress or any other wedding attire is important part of the special day. It will definitely be more environmentally friendly to use an existing dress, for example, to sew up your mother's wedding a dress. But it is not the only option. Look for brands that use recycled materials, buy used dress or rent it. This way, an outfit that would normally only see one appearance will be reused. If however choose to buy or sew a new outfit, think about how it could be modified afterwards to wear it again. If choose a two-piece suit or costume, you will definitely find use for it in other life situations as well.

• When it comes to wedding rings , important to ensure that the metals and gems used in them are ethically sourced and not using e.g. child labor. You can also use inherited gold and jewelry to make rings.
• Choose dry flowers instead of fresh flowers compositions that you will be able to use again.
• Buy used decorations or rent them .
• Invitations use recycled paper.

Reduce impact

• Car exhaust gases are a significant environmental influencer. To reduce this factor, choose to hold the wedding closer to your family guests or rent a transport that will take everyone to the required place. Maybe it's better to rent a wedding car instead carriage?
• Prefer electronic invitations . This is how you will decrease the waste generated in the process of making them, besides, it will be harder for guests to lose them.
• Avoid disposable dishes, straws, paper napkins. Best to use multiple times usable cutlery, cloth napkins and metal straws. If it is necessary to use disposables use containers, choose those that can be recycled.
• Use cut flowers only in the bridal bouquet . The rest of the flower instead of decorations, it is best to use plants in flower pots.

• The ingredients of seasonal and local dishes will definitely be a more environmentally friendly choice. If you choose exotic and non-seasonal products, we must remember that in order for them to reach our plate, transport is used for its delivery and for long-term storage of chemical products.
• Consider a vegetarian menu or choose local produce from animal-friendly vendors principles.

• Purchased zerowaste products or packaging-free products. Many manufacturers offer products buy in environmentally friendly packaging or without it at all, or offer to return packaging such as glass jars, reusable. Drinks are also available in large packages or barrels, which then returnable to the merchant.
• Fewer guests means less waste, so if you've decided to have a small wedding, you're already one step closer to sustainability.
• To use less decorations that become waste after the wedding, instead of a photo booth, have photo sessions in nature. In advance, it is desirable to identify the most beautiful gardens, city streets or the coast, which will serve as a great background for the beautiful ones for photographs.

• Avoid gift wrapping by asking guests for electronic gift cards instead. Those who are active involved in charity projects, can ask for donations to a specific organization instead of gifts.
• Choose ecological make-up that has not been tested on animals. The easiest way to find out the naturalness of the product is to look at the packaging. Indicated for natural products certificates such as Ecocert , Natrue and others.

Recycle waste

• When choosing a celebration place , find out how much nature friendly is their service. Make sure that waste and packaging are sorted.
• You can certainly donate leftover food to animal farms.
• All non-reusable decorations must also be disposed of in a designated place.

Author of the article: ELISA RUDZİTE

Photo: KLYDE LIEBKIS , THEKIKA PHOTOGRAPHY , ZANE KRUMIņA

Read also: NATURE FRIENDLY OR ECOLOGICAL WEDDING