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There’s no doubt that humans are the most destructive species and that it’s up to us to choose a more sustainable future for our generation and future generations. I started photographing weddings in 2012 and since then, I’ve witnessed how beautiful and memorable weddings can be but also how wasteful they can be.
When I began my elopement photography journey many years ago, there was a light bulb moment for me where I realized that the culture of weddings and the impact they have COULD be different. There was another option for couples who are passionate about caring for the environment and the “leave no trace” policy.
How Are Weddings Wasteful?
The Green Bride Guide reports that the average wedding produces 400 pounds of waste and emits 63 tons of carbon. The average American throws away an average of 5 pounds a day. That’s 80 times the amount of waste in a single day. And with 2.5 million weddings in the US alone each year, that is approximately 1 billion lbs of trash and the amount of emissions that 4 people would produce in a year in just one day.
Food waste is one of the most problematic aspects of weddings, with 10% of food being thrown out, the wedding cake waste being one of the biggest contributors. Nearly everything that is purchased for a wedding gets thrown out — the invitations, flowers, decor, napkins, plastic cups, and so on.
Another factor in the wastefulness of weddings is transportation. The more guests and the further away the wedding, the more carbon emissions there will be. The biggest way to cut down on this impact is by reducing the guest list and incentivizing carpooling or hiring shuttles.
Are Elopements More Eco-Friendly?
By nature, elopements are significantly more eco-friendly. You’re using far fewer resources and involving much fewer people and purchasing significantly less. But that doesn’t mean that elopements have no environmental impact, so here are some ways you can have a more sustainable elopement:
➔ If you’re flying, pay extra for carbon offsetting through your airline or with GreenPerk
➔ Compost your paper invitations and flowers in your backyard or with Lomi
➔ Thrift what you can! Consider a secondhand dress from StillWhite, eBay, Facebook groups, etc.
➔ Leave No Trace: This simply means what you bring in, you pack out with you.
➔ Offer a sustainable menu by opting for more plant-based and locally sourced food options
➔ Avoid plastic waste while traveling by bringing reusable bags, cups, and cutlery
➔ Support sustainable vendors! Ask them what their sustainability practices are
➔ Tell your loved ones and social media followers why you care about these things to spread awareness to help shift the culture around weddings
The impact of the wedding industry is massive and it can seem overwhelming at times. It’s easy to wonder if our impact even makes a difference in the scheme of things but it starts with one person choosing to consume more mindfully to inspire others to make more sustainable choices for themselves and their wedding day.
But this is the only planet we have and it’s up to us to choose differently. I hope to continue learning all the ways I can be more sustainable in my own business and look forward to exploring ideas with you for your elopement day <3
