Weddings are beautiful events but at the same time can be wasteful. Did you get an invitation & now you are wondering how to reduce that waste as a wedding guest? Here are four tips that will help you be more sustainable at an event like this.

In my opinion, the two most wasteful parts of events like this are outfits and food. I will start with that & then I will add two smaller tips worth thinking off.

wedding guest dress

A common consumeristic habit is to buy a new dress and wear it only on this particular occasion. It is unnecessary. Most people have perfect elegant outfits already in their closets. Look for a flowy dress, work pants or midi skirt that you can pair with a blouse. Add some accessories, a handbag and heels & you’re good to go. If you’re a man, you probably have at least one suit that you can wear on any occasion (also as a wedding guest).

BONUS TIP: For those who want to wear something new, you can always rent an outfit or borrow clothing from your friends/family for this one event. Pairing a well-known outfit with some unique accessories is also a good way to diversify your occasional wardrobe.

plant-based food option

The next wasteful aspect of weddings is food. Asking for a vegan/vegetarian option is probably the one thing that will reduce most of your waste. As a wedding guest, you can’t strive for perfection, remember that and stay true to your values, but leave some place for mistakes. Sometimes it’s better to eat what was given to you than to throw that in the trash (which happens with uneaten food at big parties like this).

thoughtful gift

Not as impactful, but worth mentioning, part of reducing waste is a well-thought gift. The easiest idea is to give money, but if it’s not an option due to a matter of culture, think well before buying a gift or maybe even ask the young couple what will be of use to them. You can always look for some unique pieces in antique stores or art galleries. But remember that it’s hard to get rid of unwanted gifts, especially those connected to all the wedding emotions. Avoid the waste of bad presents & think twice before buying.

switch for biodegradable confetti

Throwing confetti at the bride & groom is tradition, but did you know that the confetti that you can buy in a store is almost always plastic. This aspect makes it wasteful, especially when thrown outside and left for the wind to spread it in the area. 

Before the wedding you can suggest other options:

• biodegradable confetti from leaves
• canopy from flowers
• flower petals
• rice (it’s a chinnies tradition cultivated in Poland symbolising luck & prosperity)
• more biodegradable confetti ideas from Rock My Wedding

Although this may be a tip for wedding organisers, it’s a good idea to make this suggestion. Maybe the couple hasn’t even thought about this aspect.

As mentioned earlier, leave some place for mistakes and don’t strive for perfection. Remember that you’re only a wedding guest & it’s not your day or party. Small actions go a long way. Not only will you be reducing waste, but also giving an example to other wedding guests. Have fun, make it memorable for the young couple & stay eco-friendly in the areas that are accessible to you. 

I hope these four tips will come in handy as you get invited to the wedding this season. If you want more sustainable inspiration, I have a post on how to be inspired to live an eco-lifestyle.