We are seeing a huge movement in brands and businesses upping their sustainability game and finding ways to reuse and recycle. Looking after our planet has become very important to us as individuals and we are now more considerate of our waste, plastic use and how and what we consume.
Weddings unfortunately do have quite a considerable environmental impact due to the nature of one-time use items and fashion plus food and paper waste.
As a wedding planner and stylist, I’m aware that my clients are growing increasingly more conscious of the impact their wedding may have on the environment. They may have already made adjustments in their personal lives to be more sustainable and so it’s important to them to reflect these values throughout their wedding design.
I am completely on this wavelength and I certainly try to do my bit. I feel it’s within my role and duty to be up to date with ways of reducing waste and to be knowledgable of suppliers who are making a conscious effort to be more sustainable within their craft. I myself have made changes within my business, as well as launch a hire collection to encourage the reuse of props rather than couples buying and discarding. I discuss in more detail below.
One hesitation that couples may have for exploring more sustainable options is they feel there is a lack of choice in the industry and also a lack of style that comes with a more eco-friendly option. I’m here to introduce some industry leaders who have both style and sustainability at their core. Just like fashion forward brands such as Whistles, H&M and Anthropologie who are leading the way with their efforts and products and proving that eco can absolutely be cool, fashionable and stylish, so are these wedding suppliers.
The below editorial brought together a collective of like-minded creatives whose aim was to visually show that maintaining style and luxury whilst being conscious and kind in your wedding planning and design choices is an easy choice. You certainly don’t need to compromise on the look, feel or quality of your day and actually have the added value of knowing you’ve been that little more thoughtful and considerate to the environment.
If you’d like any help or creative direction to be more conscious in your planning and styling choices, do get in touch as I offer various ways we can work together. Likewise, maybe you’re a brand wanting to promote your sustainable ethos or eco-friendly products, together we can think creatively on how to effectively promote your values.
To view the full gallery please click here and to read more about the suppliers involved read on below.
Bridal Gown
Pippa, owner and designer behind Bon Bride creates understated yet striking dresses for women who dress for themselves. I’m a huge fan of Pippa’s work because not only are her designs so effortless and modern, but they are also designed to be worn again. Pippa also offers an amendment service so you can reuse and rewear your wedding gown time and time again. Read more here.
Florals
Sula of Nice Bunch specialises is ‘grown not flown’ products and even has her own cutting garden where she grows and nurtures the flowers she then uses across weddings and event. Locally-sourced flowers help to cut down on emissions associated with transport, and reduce chemical emissions associated with travel and pesticide use. She also avoids single-plastics, bleached foliages and floral foam meaning her florals have a natural, seasonal, wild and playful. Read more here.
Photography
Stephanie Green is a London based wedding photographer with an authentic, contemporary style. With a background in fashion photography, she brings style to sentimental moments. As a lover of the outdoors Stephanie finds ways of giving back to offset her carbon footprint when travelling the country to weddings. She now donates £20 to One Tree Planted for every album that is purchased plus has a business membership with Offset Earth meaning every year 144 trees are planted and 14 tonnes on CO2 removed every year. Read more about Stephanie here.
Hair and Make Up
Melinda from Mels Brides provides make up for sophisticated brides. A natural and elegant look making brides feel their ultimate best. Mel proudly uses the vegan make up range by code8. Read more about Melinda here.
Stationery
Amy owns All My Years, a London based design studio. Combining a love of print design, modern typography and trend-led colour, she will work with you to encapsulate everything that makes you one cool couple. Amy is highly conscious of the impact paper and print can have on the planet so she uses uncoated card stock as well as recycled card where possible and well as implement other environmentally friendly processes. Read more about Amy and her brand here.
Footware
Beyond Skin is definitely changing the vegan shoe game. Established in 2001, Beyond Skin was founded with the clear objective of offering luxury vegan footwear that encompassed individuality, authenticity and sustainability. A brand created for the discerning, for those who care about where their fashion comes from and what it stands for. They have a dedicated bridal range as well as everyday wear. Check them out here.
Cake
Bee’s Bakery cake designs are founded on principles of low-waste, plant-based recipes and decorations. She works with UK growers, millers and producers to source delicious and beautiful ingredients, flowers and foliage that look fantastic, whilst also having a lower carbon footprint than standard bakes. Read more about Bee and her work here.
Styling and Design
And finally, myself here at Blonde Army. I try to keep all my client work and brochures digital to reduce paper waste. A selection of my hire items are produced by local businesses so nothing is mass produced to reduce waste during production. All packaging is reused or recycled. And I happily work with my clients to add to the collection to prevent them buying and discarding.
It’s all about the small changes that can make a huge difference.
