Sustainable Green Wedding Reception

The wedding reception usually accounts for 50-70% of the wedding budget. The multitude of decisions to make for your reception offer lots of opportunities to keep the environment in mind. No matter what your budget, there are ways to make your reception more sustainable.

Set the Stage:

• A wedding location in an open field or park has vastly less environmental impact than a full time reception venue. Do be careful not to be too far out of town or use a rental company that has to travel a long distance. The gas in travel will counteract your attempts to be green.
• Set your outdoor event earlier so you do not have to use electricity to light the reception. It doesn't get much more romantic than a candlelit conclusion to your big day.

Dinnerware and Utensils: 

• Rental dish and flatware is used hundreds of times over it's lifetime.
• Biodegradable disposable dinnerware and flatware are available in most mainstream stores now.
• Collect an eclectic array of items from friends and family to avoid renting or disposing.

Tablecloths and Napkins:

• Use organic fabric napkins that can be utilized throughout the night by guests.
• Biodegradable disposable napkins.

Table Decorations:

• You don't have to have a nature-themed to be eco-friendly. Think out of the generic box of lush floral centerpieces and bring your creativity. You want to use items that can be sold or reused again in some other way. 

This herb centerpiece looks great and doubles as sustainable guest favors for them to use at home.

Favors:

• Favors are completely optional. You can forego them all together if you would like.
• Steer clear of plastic, disposable favors. Edible favors are always a hit! Try to find recycled and reusable favors. 
• Instead of a tangible favor, you can make a donation to a cause or charity of your choosing and let your guests know. 

Additional Links
Green Bride Guide
Take the Cake Events
Herb centerpiece from Wedding Dish