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Sustainability: The Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Luxury Weddings

Sustainability: The Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Luxury Weddings

Photographer: Liz Banfield

As couples become more environmentally conscious, green and sustainable weddings are emerging as a powerful trend. Beyond being just a fleeting fashion, these eco-friendly weddings represent a commitment to reducing waste, conserving resources, and making sustainable choices.

At Lausch Events, we are dedicated to helping couples create stunning, earth-friendly weddings that reflect their values and care for the environment, without comprising elegance. We believe that luxury and sustainability go hand-in-hand. Eco-friendly weddings can still exude opulence. Whether you’re dreaming of a lavish garden affair or a grand ballroom celebration, our approach to eco-conscious weddings will ensure your day is as kind to the planet as it is luxurious.

Here’s your comprehensive guide to planning a green and sustainable wedding, ensuring that your wedding day is as beautiful for the planet as it is for you.

1. Select a Sustainable Wedding Venue

For eco-friendly weddings, sustainability starts with your venue. Many venues are adopting eco-friendly practices, including renewable energy, zero-waste policies, and water conservation. Exclusive estates, eco conscious luxury resorts, and vineyards with sustainable farming practices offer breathtaking settings that elevate your event while minimizing your footprint. Opting for outdoor locations, such as private gardens or nature reserves, provides natural beauty without the need for excessive décor.

See examples below:

Villa d'Este, Lago di Como, Italy

Photographed by Matteo Coltro

Villa d’Este is committed to conserving and revitalizing the environment while also making a lasting, positive impact on their local community. They have a sustainability management plan.

Their beautiful gardens of countless varieties of plants make it a genuine botanical garden. Therefore, every season has individually brilliant scents and colors.

The park is part of the Great Italian Gardens, an association which gathers the most significant botanical treasures of Italy.

As a wedding venue, the natural beauty acts as the décor.

Château de la Messardière, Saint-Tropez

Photographed by Corbin Gurkin

This property has listed various commitments to sustainable practices.

Save water & energy. They advocate the use of transport with low environmental impact (e.g. golf cart, bicycle). Their fleet of customer cars and shuttles are equipped with electric terminals.

Recycle & recover waste. Bath product designs reduce the use of plastics. Soaps are recycled by Unisoap. Additional implemented programs include:

  • Waste treatment
  • Promotion of local producers (e.g. wines, juices, breads)
  • Use of organic cereals

As a wedding venue, you have the peace of mind that it manages its impact on the environment.

2. Couture Wedding Attire with a Green Touch

Luxury doesn’t have to be wasteful. Many haute couture designers now offer gowns made from ethically sourced, organic, or recycled materials. For the ultimate personalized experience, commission a custom-made gown using eco-friendly fabrics like organic silk, bamboo, or reclaimed lace. Grooms and bridal party attire can also embrace sustainability by choosing bespoke suits made from eco-friendly wool or sustainable cotton. The elegance lies in the craftsmanship and quality materials.

Post-wedding, donating, reselling or preserving your dress for future generations is a wonderful way to extend its life and reduce waste. It will become vintage which offers both charm and sustainability.

KAMPERETT

This Simone Slip Dress in Ivory is a deco inspired slip dress constructed from silk charmeuse. V neck bodice features a raw edge with fixed corded spaghetti straps. Sheer diamond shaped panel detailing at back in silk organza. The multi-godet hemline opens into a sweeping skirt. Invisible zip closure at center back. Fully Lined. 

All pieces are made in California from high-quality materials and ethically run factories. Each piece is made to order and their deliveries are carbon neutral.

Vivienne Westwood

This Grand Camille dress has a corset delivering refined structure and form, and finishes with overlapping front pleats of a full skirt that reveal a sultry side slit.

Each made-to-order dress is handcrafted in the UK from premium materials such as silk, recycled tulle, and FSC-certified viscose.

Additionally, the brand provides a personalized service for brides after the wedding, enabling you to alter the dress for continued wear beyond your special day.

Grace Loves Lace

Their most innovative and eco-friendly gown, Lumi, is crafted from internationally certified materials, sustainably and ethically fashioned.

Lumi’s sensual charm is embodied through a plunging neckline and high split. This lace wedding dress evokes a deep romantic allure.

All packaging is FSC Certified and the brand has a partnership with Upparel recycling firm, which turns 100% of its fabric waste from Australia into new yarn.

3. Lavish Eco-Friendly Invitations & Stationary

While digital invitations are popular, luxury weddings often call for tangible, high-quality paper invitations. Opt for invitations made from 100% recycled paper, or better yet, choose invitations printed on handcrafted seed paper. This allows guests to plant your invite after the event, creating a memorable, lasting experience. Soy-based inks and waterless printing methods ensure that even the production of these invites leaves a minimal footprint.

Introducing

Handmade Paper by Silk & Willow

Handmade papers are crafted from repurposed T-shirt remnants, and chlorine or chemicals are strictly avoided in the production process; this allows the runoff water to be reused for watering neighboring gardens. 

4. Elevated Farm-to-Table Catering

Couples can work with world-class caterers to craft gourmet menus featuring organic, locally sourced ingredients. Partner with chefs who focus on seasonal, plant-forward dishes, ensuring the food is as sustainable as it is decadent. Offering a curated menu of fine wines from biodynamic vineyards, or champagne from carbon-neutral producers, adds an eco-conscious twist to your reception without sacrificing sophistication.

5. Opulent, Sustainable Wedding Décor

When planning a luxury wedding, décor should feel indulgent but never at the planet’s expense. Choose seasonal, locally grown flowers or elegant potted plants that can be replanted after the event. Floral designers skilled in sustainable practices can craft breathtaking arrangements without relying on imported or out-of-season blooms. Rent high-end furniture and decorative pieces from vendors that prioritize eco-friendly practices, and consider upcycled or repurposed décor for a unique, custom look.

Foam-free floral decor by The Flowerslinger

Opting for foam-free flowers at your wedding is a sustainable and eco-friendly choice that benefits both the environment and your wedding's overall impact. Traditional floral foam is non-biodegradable and harmful to ecosystems, while foam-free flower arrangements rely on natural, reusable materials like chicken wire and vases. This reduces plastic waste and promotes sustainability.

Additionally, many foam-free wedding florists prioritize locally sourced flowers, helping to lower the carbon footprint associated with transportation. By choosing foam-free flowers, you’re not only enhancing your wedding's aesthetic but also supporting a more sustainable and eco-conscious wedding industry.

Plant-dyed, 100% sheer silk table overlay by Silk & Willow

Their classic silk fabrics and silk accessories are sourced from GOTS-certified manufacturers. GOTS operates on the principle of holistic sustainability in the textile industry, examining both environmental and social aspects in its evaluations. This comprehensive assessment encompasses the investigation of chemical inputs used, as well as ensuring the ethical treatment of workers. 

​Their designer hues come from nature; colour extracted from roots, foliage, nuts, berries, and flowers, etc. ​They organically grow and forage​ many of their dye material​s locally in the Hudson Valley of New York. ​If not grown locally, dye materials are sustainably​ ​sourced with GOTS Certification ​from within the United States and abroad.

Potted plants photographed by Corbin Gurkin

Incorporating potted plants into your wedding décor is a sustainable and eco-friendly choice that enhances both style and environmental impact. Unlike cut flowers, potted plants can be reused or replanted after the wedding, reducing waste. This eco-conscious option not only minimizes your carbon footprint but also offers a variety of plant types, from succulents to flowering blooms, to match any wedding theme.

Choosing potted plants for wedding decorations also encourages the use of locally sourced greenery, further supporting sustainability. By opting for potted plants, you create a beautiful, lasting display while promoting an environmentally responsible wedding.

6. Ethical Wedding Rings

Choosing conflict-free diamonds or lab-grown gemstones is essential for couples who care about both luxury and sustainability. Recycled gold or platinum can create beautiful, ethical wedding bands. Many high-end jewelers now offer entirely sustainable collections, ensuring that your symbol of love reflects your values without compromising on beauty or exclusivity.

Ice Cube Ring, Ethical Gold, Half-set diamonds by Chopard

Chopard uses 100% ethically produced gold - verified as having met international best practice environmental and social standards - in its workshops. Their Ethical Gold is sourced through two transparent and traceable schemes:

  • Artisanal freshly mined gold produced in a responsible manner
  • Chain of Custody Gold from RJC-Certified refineries

Chopard supports and follows the principles for transparency stipulated by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and the World Diamond Council System of Warranties.

They also put in place a self-regulation initiative for all diamond suppliers, requiring them to refrain from buying or selling conflict diamonds, diamonds from suspect or unknown sources, as well as diamonds from countries and regions that have not implemented the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Stones not complying with this scheme are immediately refused.

Read more about the brand's Journey to Sustainable Luxury here.

7. Conscious Transportation

For high-end weddings, guests often expect comfort and convenience. Consider providing electric or hybrid luxury vehicles for guest transportation, reducing the overall carbon footprint. Arrange for carpooling or shuttle services.

For destination weddings, offering carbon offsets for guests who must fly ensures your celebration remains environmentally mindful. Some couples opt for more intimate venues that allow for horse-drawn carriages or even eco-friendly yachts, combining opulence with sustainability.

8. Thoughtful Eco-Luxe Favors

Impress your guests with eco-friendly wedding favors that align with your values. Instead of mass-produced trinkets, offer sustainable luxury items such as organic skincare products, locally crafted artisanal goods, or donations to environmental charities. Potted plants, personalized seed kits, or even bottles of organic wine or olive oil from local producers are both elegant and environmentally conscious.

Example: Jo Malone incorporates several sustainable practices, including responsible sourcing of ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. The brand emphasizes reducing waste through refillable fragrance bottles and recyclable materials. They are also committed to minimizing environmental impact by using sustainably harvested botanicals and supporting bee conservation initiatives. Their focus on sustainability aligns with their luxury image, offering eco-conscious options without compromising on quality.

Click here to learn more!

9. Zero Waste: A Hallmark of Elegance

Nothing says high-end like meticulous attention to detail. Zero-waste weddings are the pinnacle of eco-conscious celebrations. Partner with vendors who are committed to reducing waste through comprehensive recycling programs and composting initiatives. Ensure leftover food is donated to local charities or food banks and consider a zero-waste florist who repurposes event flowers for hospitals or nursing homes.

10. Offset Your Carbon Footprint in Style

For high-end couples, planning a wedding that leaves no trace means considering carbon offsets. Work with luxury event planners, like Lausch Events, who can calculate the carbon footprint of your wedding and suggest ways to offset it through investments in reforestation projects, renewable energy, or marine conservation efforts. This not only helps the planet but also aligns your lavish celebration with your values of sustainability.

Terrapass offers carbon offset packages designed for weddings, including different levels (silver, gold, and diamond) to match the size and scale of your event.

The Silver package is $7.99 per guest.

The Gold package is $9.99 per guest.

The Diamond package has the greatest impact at $14.99 per guest.

Their packages help offset emissions from travel, accommodation, and meals, allowing couples to make their wedding carbon-neutral.

Terrapass funds projects like forestry, landfill gas capture, and industrial emission reduction to help reduce global carbon emissions.

ClimeCo, which now manages the carbon-offsetting operations originally part of Carbonfund.org, provides a range of carbon offset and sustainability solutions, helping to reduce their climate impact.

It offers a specific carbon offset option for weddings through their event-focused platform. Couples can calculate their wedding's carbon footprint and purchase offsets to balance the environmental impact of aspects like travel, venue energy, and food.

The types of projects a carbon credit purchase supports include forest conservation & management, the removal of harmful methane gas, the abatement of industrial greenhouse gas emissions, etc.

Known as one of the most respected carbon offset organizations globally, it was established by the WWF and other NGOs.

Projects are certified for both environmental and social benefits, with strict standards to ensure real, measurable carbon reductions.

Calculate your individual impact and then go to Gold Standard’s Marketplace to choose from a variety of climate protection projects, with funds going direct to project developers, enabling them to maintain and expand their projects and deliver more impact. Each carbon credit equals 1 tonne of Co2 reduced or removed from the atmosphere, therefore purchases are always by the tonne.

Conclusion

Luxury weddings can still be sustainable without compromising style, comfort, or sophistication. By integrating eco-friendly elements into every aspect of your celebration, you can create a high-end event
that’s beautiful for both you and the planet. At Lausch Events, we specialize in creating eco-friendly weddings that feel exclusive and bespoke, ensuring your celebration is as luxurious as it is sustainable.

Ready to plan your eco-luxury wedding? Contact Lausch Events today to begin crafting your unforgettable, earth-conscious celebration!


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