Something Borrowed, Something Green: How To Plan an Eco-Friendly Wedding
For couples who care deeply about their environmental impact, hosting an eco-friendly wedding is a must. After all, the Center for Biological Diversity, a national nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places, reports that the average carbon footprint of a wedding celebration comes in at an astonishing 63 metric tons of CO2. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator, that translates to greenhouse gas emissions from more than 14 gas-powered cars driven for one year.
So, how do you plan for a more planet-friendly wedding celebration? It begins with selecting a venue that prioritizes sustainability. At the historic Twenty Mile House, a certified carbon-free outdoor wedding venue and an approved business with Green America, a U.S.-based nonprofit membership organization that promotes environmentally aware, ethical consumerism, we’re dedicated to limiting our ecological footprint and preserving our natural resources — all while creating bespoke, unforgettable weddings for our couples.
Here, we’ll suggest five ways you can say “I do” and show your love for the environment at our stunning nature wedding venue in Northern California.
#1: Think Small
The popular trend of hosting smaller micro-weddings not only creates a more intimate, close-knit celebration with your friends and family, but it also can help lower your wedding’s carbon footprint. Inviting fewer guests can mean reduced travel-related emissions and decreased food waste. Plus, choosing certified carbon-free Twenty Mile House as your venue helps set the stage for a localized event, complete with on-site accommodations for up to 54 guests (no need for transportation to and from the ceremony and reception sites), and plenty of natural beauty among the trees — we’re situated on 200 private, forested acres within the Sierra Nevada mountains — thus reducing the need for extraneous decorations.
We also love the idea of contributing to a carbon offset program, which allows eco-conscious couples to compensate for their emissions by investing in projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere. For example, support climate action via the United Nations Carbon Offset Platform or participate in the National Forest Foundation’s (NFF) Reforestation Program, which ensures two trees are planted for every $2 NFF donation, helping to remove approximately one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent from the atmosphere throughout the life of those trees.
#2: Serve Up Sustainability
At Twenty Mile House, we pride ourselves on working with top-notch local vendors who meet our rigorous standards for quality and dedication. And, since locally sourced food can help reduce the overall carbon footprint of your big day, our incredible catering partners are well prepared to help you craft the perfect menu of local, organic, and sustainable ingredients for your eco-friendly wedding.
Two such vendors, both based in the nearby town of Quincy, California, include Pangaea Cafe and Grandma Jane’s Place. The former features grass-fed, locally grown eats (plus vegetarian options aplenty), and the latter is a mother-daughter-owned bakery that whips up divine desserts, including donuts, wedding cakes, pastries, and platters. If it aligns with your budget, choose a plated dinner service over buffet to reduce excess food waste. Or, plan ahead for any leftovers from your buffet and ask if it’s possible to donate them safely to a local shelter or food bank.
##3: Source Eco-Friendly Decor
There are so many ways to keep the environment top of mind when planning your wedding’s decor — and flowers are a great place to start. Just because flowers are grown from the earth doesn’t automatically make them an eco-friendly addition. Consider focusing on locally grown, in-season blooms, as limiting your florals’ travel time helps reduce their carbon footprint.
Additionally, discuss possible arrangement requests with your florist (i.e., a foam alternative or no foam altogether) to further maintain environmentally friendly practices. We rely on the local experts at Gray’s Flower Garden to design sustainably sourced and elegant arrangements for your reception table centerpieces, arch flowers, wedding couple flowers, wedding party flowers, floral decor, and more.
Overall, the decor at agorgeousnature wedding venuesuch as Twenty Mile House can be minimal — let the breathtaking surroundings full of trees, plants, and majestic mountaintops do all the work. We even highlight the natural glow of the Sierra night sky via thoughtfully designed reception-area lighting. (Translation: Expect to see stars galore.)
#4: Dress in Vintage
When it comes to sustainable attire, embracing vintage for that “something old, something borrowed” vibe seems like a no-brainer. And it’s very on trend right now: Pinterest’s Annual Wedding Trends Report notes that searches for nostalgic wedding jewelry and attire such as “vintage 1920s wedding rings” and “vintage Vera Wang wedding dress” are on the rise. So go ahead, re-wear your grandmother’s vintage lace gown or slip on that sapphire ring from a bygone era — you’re doing the planet a favor. If you still plan to wear something newly purchased, consider dress or tuxedo rentals, or search for dress designers who specialize in using sustainable or recycled fabrics.
#5: Reuse & Reduce/h3>
Another key element of hosting an eco-friendly celebration is to avoid purchasing single-use products. (Think disposable cocktail napkins, plastic cutlery, paper confetti for your send-off, or unsustainable wedding favors.) It’s best to borrow or rent those items instead. But, even better is when a venue offers an all-inclusive wedding package that includes these party must-haves at no additional cost.
When you host your eco-friendly wedding at Twenty Mile House, you can select from three all-inclusive packages that provide everything from house flatware and glassware to linens, tables, chairs, and even standing outdoor heaters should there be a chill in the night air. This way, you’re incorporating zero-waste, reusable elements into your big day and limiting needless single-use product purchases. As for that epic, confetti-filled send-off, consider having your guests toss dried flowers, herbs, or birdseed instead.
Lastly, don’t forget the wedding favors. Thanking your guests with an eco-friendly token for joining you on your special day shows thoughtful attention to detail and a commitment to carrying through your dedication to the planet at every touchpoint. For one Twenty Mile House couple’s magical 180-guest wedding, they fashioned each place setting with a very sweet and eco-friendly favor: a glass jar of locally made honey with a wooden dipper. Other good-for-the-Earth wedding favor ideas: low-maintenance potted mini succulents, packets of bee-friendly wildflower seeds, and reusable bamboo drinking straws.
Plan an Eco-Friendly Nature Wedding at Twenty Mile House
While we’ve just listed some of our favorite ways to lessen the environmental impact of a wedding, the pros at our private estate wedding venue are more than ready to help you implement even more.
As a certified carbon-free and Green America-approved business, we are committed to limiting our ecological footprint and doing our part to ensure the pristine natural beauty of our property for centuries to come.
Reach out and schedule your tour of Twenty Mile House today, and together, let’s plan the eco-friendly wedding of your dreams.