Wedding Conscious, Socially Conscious – Part IV

For Kim and her nontraditional wedding, recycling is a big part of the way she and her fiancé are working their reception. She explains that this can be the most difficult part of the day. “Pay attention to your paper products’ recycling code and match them to what your area handles. The only tough part about recycling is that a lot of venues aren’t hip to recycling, so that may leave a job for a groomsman if you feel strongly enough about it.”

How to handle recycling during your reception

Another thing to think about is involving your guests in the recycling process – in a fun way! Kim explained, “There are recycling bins all around the park, but I’m hoping to either have a keg and provide people’s pint glasses that they can take home, or have glass recycling containers for the bottles. I’ll use the park’s restaurant dishes for the rest.” Pint glass guest favors?! It’s a great way to keep people aware of the environmental responsibility that you’re invested in with your wedding.

Questions to ask your venue

• Do you use re-usable materials, i.e. washable, cloth napkins and tablecloths rather than throwaway paper ones?
• If they don’t separate trash, ask if you can bring your own recycle bins in and assign someone take that away with them.
• If your reception site is also catering the event, ask them what they do with the leftover food. This is a tough one, as there are health code issues with sharing food. But if they have leftover supplies that YOU have paid for, ask them if they have an agreement with a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.

Wrap up

Every time you make a conscious decision about “going green” with an element or detail of your wedding, you are creating a story that you can share with others. It makes each piece that much more special and memorable, and there are many ways to weave your own stories throughout the day. Buy from local sources and develop a new relationship with and appreciation for the people in your area. Use products that have special meaning to you and don’t create additional waste, like antique flower vases or your grandmother’s hankie. Work with your venue and guests to recycle properly, and by doing so you’ll help others be more aware of their environment and what they can do. There are so many great ideas beyond what we’ve posted – feel inspired and make your own stories by being socially and environmentally conscious.

Part of the Blog Action Day (Part I) series. Also check out Part II and Part III.