Your wedding is meant to be one of the best days of your life, but it can feel hard to celebrate when you fear how much impact your big day is having on the environment.
From guest travel to wedding catering, there are many aspects of a wedding that will impact the environment. However, there are also many things we can do that will reduce that impact, and maybe even eradicate it completely.
Read on to explore some of the best ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding, so you can have a sustainable and eco-friendly wedding.
This article will focus on the wedding food and catering, check out the ZeroSmart blog for more articles on other aspects like travel or wedding entertainment.
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As awareness around environmental issues grows, many couples are seeking creative ways to host a more sustainable wedding. One of the things that can have a huge impact on the eco credentials of your day is your wedding food, so this is a great place to start tweaking.
With the average wedding accumulating around £500 worth of food wastage, and 15% of guests only eating two of their three courses, there's a lot of wiggle room with you wedding foot to help bring down the carbon footprint of your day.
From sourcing local ingredients to cleverly making good use of your leftovers, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce the environmental impact of your wedding.
Let's explore some of the best together now.
Carefully craft your menu
The first step to planning sustainable wedding food is to carefully consider the ingredients you use.
When planning your wedding food, work with your caterers or venue to craft a menu that utilises seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. This not only reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation but also provides you and your guests with fresher, more delicious dishes that are likely to use fewer preservatives and less packaging.
Even if you are carnivorous, opting for a vegan or vegetarian menu is a brilliant idea when looking to have a more sustainable wedding. Plant-based foods generally require less water, land and energy to produce compared with animal products.
For example, it takes over 1,800 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef, compared to just 39 gallons for a pound of vegetables. Vegetarian and vegan food has come a long way in the last 10 years. Offering delicious, plant-based dishes can be a creative way to showcase the versatility and flavor of sustainable cuisine, and may pleasantly surprise your guests.
If you do choose to serve meat or fish, you can ask for it to be sustainably sourced and free range. Look for suppliers that provide free-range, grass-fed, or sustainably caught options.
We also recommending ensuring it come from farms that comply with standards set by organisations such as the RSPCA and
Assured Food Standards. Opt for meats with a lower carbon footprint, like chicken or turkey, over beef or lamb. For fish, consider varieties that are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to ensure that they are sustainably sourced.
If your venue allows you to select your own caterer, you can use this opportunity to hire one who shares your sustainability values. Find a supplier who prioritises eco-friendly practices and uses ethical, organic and fair-trade ingredients. You can also ask potential caterers about their waste management practices, including how they handle food waste and whether they use compostable materials. Choosing a caterer with strong sustainability credentials can greatly reduce the overall environmental impact of your wedding.
Even if you can't control the food itself, you can still make a positive environmental impact by choosing sustainable tableware. Opt for reusable or biodegradable options made from bamboo or recycled paper. Avoid single-use plastics by selecting cloth napkins, glass cups, and paper straws. Consider renting glassware, cloth napkins, and metal cutlery for an elegant yet environmentally friendly touch. If reusable options are not possible, look for compostable alternatives that break down quickly and safely.
Creating a sustainable wedding menu also means being inclusive of different dietary needs and preferences. Ensure that there are diverse options for all guests, including those who are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or have other dietary restrictions. For example, have a variety of milks available to suit dietary needs.
This inclusive approach not only makes everyone feel welcome and cared for but can also prevent food waste, as guests are more likely to eat what is served when their needs are considered. By curating a thoughtful, sustainable menu, you’re taking a meaningful step toward hosting a wedding that celebrates not only your love but also your commitment to a healthier planet.
Limit food wastage
There are a few good ways to limit food wastage at your wedding without compromising on your guests’ experience.
One of the simplest ways to reduce food waste is by obtaining an accurate headcount of your guests. This means chasing up RSVPs well in advance of the big day. Knowing exactly how many people will be attending helps your caterer avoid over-preparing, which not only saves on costs but also ensures that less food goes to waste.
You can encourage timely responses by sending out electronic invitations with automated reminders, or by making a quick follow-up call or message. If your wedding has a buffet or family-style meal, having an accurate headcount is especially crucial to avoid overestimating the portions required.
You may be considering a buffet to help reduce costs, but the general consensus is that a sit-down meal is likely to produce less wastage. However, there are pros and cons to each.
Pros | Cons |
Flexible Portions: Guests choose portions and dishes they prefer, minimizing waste from uneaten food. | Higher Potential for Food Waste: Over-preparation to ensure variety and quantity can lead to significant food waste. |
Reduced Waste from Unpopular Dishes: Guests only select dishes they want to eat, reducing waste from unwanted items. | Increased Use of Single-Use Items: Buffets may require disposable plates, cutlery, and napkins if reusable options are not provided. |
Opportunity for Leftover Management: Easier to donate or repurpose untouched food in bulk. | Waste from Serving Utensils and Trays: Disposable serving items and chafing dishes may add to landfill waste. |
Reusable Serving Dishes and Cutlery: Buffets often use large, reusable serving dishes, minimizing disposable items. | Food Temperature Management and Energy Use: Keeping food warm requires energy, especially if electric heaters or open flames are used. |
Seasonal and Local Options: Buffets can incorporate a variety of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, reducing food transportation's carbon footprint. | Difficulty in Controlling Portions: Guests may over-serve themselves, leading to food waste and increased preparation needs. |
Challenges in Leftover Management: Leftovers may spoil quickly or not meet safety standards for donation, limiting reuse options. |
The way you serve your wedding food can also play a big role in how much is wasted. While buffets are often seen as a more cost-effective option, they can lead to significant waste as guests tend to overfill their plates, and leftover trays of food are often discarded. On the other hand, a plated sit-down meal allows for better portion control, which usually results in less waste. It also gives you greater control over the sourcing and quality of ingredients. However, a sit-down meal may require more precise planning and could be more expensive depending on the menu choices.
That said, there are advantages and disadvantages to both serving styles. A buffet allows guests to choose what they prefer, reducing waste from uneaten items. You can also opt for a hybrid model, where the main course is served at the table and a dessert buffet allows for flexibility. To strike the right balance, discuss your options with your caterer and choose a style that aligns with both your budget and sustainability goals.
Leftovers are inevitable whichever type of wedding food you decide to serve, so it’s important to consider how to manage them. You could provide recycled or eco-friendly containers to your guests and invite them to take their leftovers home, or arrange for a local food shelter to collect anything that was prepared but not served.
Many organizations are happy to collect surplus food from events, but it’s crucial to arrange this well in advance and ensure that your caterer and venue are on board. Be sure to check local regulations, as there may be health and safety standards that need to be followed. Discuss this with your venue during the booking stage; some venues already have partnerships with local charities or food banks and can help facilitate donations.
Don’t forget about the drinks
It’s easy to overlook beverages when planning a sustainable wedding, but there are some great options when it comes to choosing sustainable alcohol.
Organic breweries, local wines and craft beers will add a unique twist to your day while also reducing the negative impact of the festivities. Sustainable alcohol options not only support local and small businesses, but they also provide your guests with high-quality, unique flavors that they may not have tried before. Consider featuring a selection from local providers or hosting a tasting table to highlight these special choices.
Choosing sustainable beverages also supports local and small businesses, and again reduces emissions associated with transportation.
Here is our guide on the top 10 sustainable alcohol brands in the UK.
To reduce waste, why not opt for a small selection of signature cocktails to be served at your wedding? Whether tailored to your theme or a crowd-pleasing mixture of the classics, buying in fewer ingredients will automatically eliminate much of the waste (and cost) of purchasing your own alcohol.
Set up cocktail making stations for an interactive experience that’s sure to get your guests laughing, or hire a mixologist to wow them with tricks and showmanship.
Your questions answered
How to Make Weddings Eco-Friendly?
Make weddings eco-friendly by using seasonal, locally sourced food, reducing waste, opting for sustainable beverages, using biodegradable tableware, and choosing eco-friendly décor and gifts.
What is Eco-Friendly to Throw at a Wedding?
Eco-friendly options to throw at weddings include dried flower petals, birdseed, and biodegradable confetti made from natural materials like leaves or paper.
What is a Sustainable Wedding?
A sustainable wedding minimizes environmental impact by using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, supporting local businesses, and offsetting carbon emissions.
How to Have a Carbon Neutral Wedding?
To have a carbon-neutral wedding, reduce emissions by choosing sustainable options such as vegan wedding catering or donating leftover food. Ask for sustainable wedding gifts, and offset remaining emissions through verified projects.
Conclusion
By focusing on sustainable wedding food, you can make a meaningful contribution to environmental conservation while celebrating your special day.
From choosing local and seasonal ingredients to managing food waste and selecting eco-friendly beverages, there are many ways to make your wedding more sustainable.
Setting an example with your wedding can inspire your guests and promote greater awareness about the importance of eco-friendly practices. Celebrate your love and commitment to each other while making a positive impact on the planet.
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