An estimated 400 pounds of garbage and 63 tons of carbon dioxide are produced by an average wedding ceremony. According to a Chicago-based event planner, the biggest sources of pollution come from the venue and food. Although sustainability is not the first thing that comes to mind among couples, more are thinking of holding an environmentally friendly ceremony that is meaningful to them, their friends, and their family. If you are thinking of a homestead wedding, here are ways to make your wedding as green as possible.
Maximize the Resources of Your Farm House
Not every farm or homestead is built and maintained in the same way. Some may be in a pristine condition without animals running around. Others may be growing crops and raising livestock at the same time. Hence, if you are planning a farm wedding, work within the limitations of your activities. For example, make sure your wedding dates does not coincide with harvesting. If your horse is about to give birth, you might want to schedule a ceremony that’s not within their expected date of delivery. Are there renovations going on in your homestead? Wait till most of the work is done or put off the update later.
Once you have set a date for the big day, look around your property and find suitable areas to hold the ceremony and the reception. If it is an outdoors ceremony, you might want to clear a patch of the front area where you can also put up a tent to protect yourself and your guests from the elements during the service. The barn can be an alternative venue as well for the wedding rites and reception. Another option is to use the house for the ceremony and the garden for the party. Should you prefer to do everything outdoors, ensure that visitors will have access to bathroom facilities either by opening a part of your home or erecting a portable loo. The point is to use your existing resources and keep things simple. Mowing the grass and removing clutter are things that you can do to spruce up your venue without spending a fortune or creating difficult to recycle waste.
Use Local Food and Décor
As a homestead, you might be producing food already making it easy to source sustainable ingredients for your wedding meals. Of course, you also must work within a budget, and you will need other ingredients that are not available in your cellar. Contact local growers in your area to see if you can get your items from them. Artisanal food craftsmen can provide you, too with food that you don’t produce yourself. It’s also a great idea to organize wedding party favors based on what your farm generates such a homemade jams, special cider, or organic honey.
When it comes to décor, make use of things that exist in your farm. Wildflowers can make authentic bouquets, wreaths, and decorative pieces. Bales of hay are also charming ornaments to decorate your venue. In addition, you can use them as extra seats during the reception. You will obviously need chairs and tables for the ceremony which you can rent and add existing furniture such as benches and picnic tables for comfort.
Weddings don’t need to be damaging to the planet. By using available resources at your homestead, you can have your dream wedding without harming the environment and your wallet.
