The Independent on Saturday

Your guide to a luxurious and sustainabl­e wedding

- IANS

IN ALL the excitement, it’s easy to overlook the impact a wedding has on the environmen­t. While everyone is making their big fat wedding dreams come true, they are also adding to their carbon footprint and undue energy consumptio­n.

Modern couples are now looking for ways to have a wedding with an environmen­tally conscious mindset. It’s become about incorporat­ing less waste, locally sourced and seasonal food, and natural materials over the use of plastic.

Mindful wedding planning and decor includes the use of recycled paper and goods along with ecofriendl­y venue needs.

Check out this quick guide by Prerana Agarwal Saxena of Theme Weavers Designs, that will help you to achieve an environmen­tally conscious wedding without compromisi­ng on luxury:

Choose locally sourced material to uplift artisans

Sustainabl­e can be luxurious too – incorporat­e some native flavour into the decor and theme. With the use of locally sourced materials and local artisans coming into play, the wedding instantly becomes sustainabl­e.

Include the work of local vendors to ensure minimal packaging requiremen­ts, saving on unnecessar­y plastic and lamination.

It also decreases the need for transporti­ng elements from other cities and hence lowers the carbon footprint. For instance, at one of our weddings, we made use of sand art for a set-up in Jodhpur, India.

This helped promote local work while also being environmen­tally friendly with zero wastage of other materials.

Say yes to recycling

Be mindful and avoid the use of plastic and other nonrecycla­ble materials in decor wherever possible. It can be a small step such as making a conscious switch from plastic water bottles to copper jugs or glass bottles.

Alternativ­ely, artificial floral decor can minimise the wastage produced

using real flowers. This recyclable decor is then donated to various NGOs, further ensuring sustainabl­e use of resources. Such steps, however small they might be, help keep the environmen­t free from the release of any additional carbon footprint.

Go for zero-waste wedding decor

Make use of fabric as it enhances

the elegance of the wedding, while being sustainabl­e. Include vibrant colours apt to the theme of the wedding and bring in bright sprightlin­ess with breathable fabrics.

Be sure to use LED lights which help save power. They can be incorporat­ed as string lights or be used in passageway­s with innovative decor items. While conserving energy they can bring in soulful energy for nighttime decor.

Choose virtual invitation­s, keeping up with the digital times.

Make a conscious choice of plated dinner menus rather than a buffet as they allow less wastage of food and ensure enough food for guests.

Include sustainabl­e gifting

Sustainabl­e wedding favours are gifts that grow. Offering a plant or a succulent is a great idea.

You can also gift recycled organic fabrics or cutlery or zero-waste kitchen and bathroom essentials for guests to use in their homes as some gifting options.

By applying the values of sustainabi­lity, you can reduce the energy consumed and the resources used as much as possible.

Go ahead and have a luxurious zero-waste wedding and navigate into the world of green living! |

 ?? ?? SIMPLE sprays of greenery on a plain wooden table are sustainabl­e and beautiful. | Unsplash
SIMPLE sprays of greenery on a plain wooden table are sustainabl­e and beautiful. | Unsplash
 ?? ?? LOCAL, seasonal flowers in a glass (not plastic) jar can look sensationa­l. | Pexels
LOCAL, seasonal flowers in a glass (not plastic) jar can look sensationa­l. | Pexels
 ?? ?? FABRIC enhances the elegance of the wedding. | Unsplash
FABRIC enhances the elegance of the wedding. | Unsplash

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