A guest article by our friends at Truly. Header image by York Place Studios


Back when our grandparents were tying the knot, dancing was a thing most people did regularly. Almost everyone could at least pull off a makeshift two-step, while others were used to having a full dance card every weekend.

Sadly, this tradition has largely faded away, which is why you and your better half might have considered taking a few dance lessons ahead of your big day.

While you’re preparing your moves, take a moment to consider your guests.

With dancing fairly out of vogue nowadays, many of them will likely need a little encouragement to hit the dance floor. But what is a wedding without dancing? Luckily there are several effective ways in which you can tempt your guests to take the floor for a night of unforgettable revelry.

Music is the Food of Love… And Dancing

While music tastes vary widely, there are some songs, both old and new, that are undeniable toe-tappers. And what does toe-tapping lead to? Yup – the irresistible urge to hit the dance floor. We get it – you want to avoid the cheesy, overplayed wedding staples (can anybody not spell “YMCA”?), but there are plenty of catchy tunes that won’t turn your stomach, while still getting bums out of seats. Your wedding DJ or band leader is sure to know which songs are wedding shoo-ins, so choose a good one and have a chat with them about the playlist ahead of time.

Another great way to select songs that will move your guests is to have them suggest their favourites when they RSVP to their invitations. That way, you can easily match your playlist to your guest list. Just remember that it is YOUR wedding, so your tastes should take precedence.

Also, be sure to put a few bangers in right after your first dance to set the mood right from the start. Then you can alternate between fast tracks and slow dances for the rest of the evening, until the drinks are flowing, that is. Then a group chorus of 4 Non-Blondes’ “What’s Up” (or whatever) is mandatory for a truly memorable evening.

Give ‘Em Props!

Photo booths with props are all the rage at weddings these days so why not encourage your guests to take them onto the dance floor as well? They don’t have to be tacky either – keep it ethical by trawling charity shops and get creative to come up with props in keeping with your wedding’s theme.

Just keep these props light and small so they aren’t too cumbersome as dance partners. Think feather boas, top hats, flower garlands, tinsel, or even fairy lights. Place the props in an easily accessible and highly visible spot and use them yourself to get the party started.

Don’t Set the Bar Too High

You’re a classy couple, so your first dance is likely to be an elegant affair. But a professionally choreographed waltz is a hard act to follow, so consider ending your number on a lighter note with some silly moves that will make your guests feel more comfortable to follow you onto the floor.

A variation of this is to invite all of the couples to join you (there being safety in numbers and all that) and transition from your slow dance into something a bit livelier before inviting all the other guests to join the fun.

Speaking of the Bar…

It’s a very good idea to position the dance floor right by the bar, if at all possible – beer and wine being the best social lubricants, and all. Also, this will ensure that your guests won’t have to choose between drinking and dancing. (Yup, that’d be a tough one).

Everyone will probably be at the bar at some point in the evening and, “since there’s a right party going on just over there, maybe I should put my drink down for one song to show off my moves”.

Know Your Guests

You’ve already compiled a playlist with your guests in mind. Now take it to the next level by further tailoring your reception to their dance needs. Seating is an excellent starting point. If possible, seat all of your liveliest guests at the same table. Then make sure that table is right by the dance floor and closest to the band or speakers (and your props table, if you have one). You can also ask your more outgoing friends to help keep everyone else on their feet.

Of course, if you pick your guests based (at least in part) on the type of wedding you want to have, you can include more party animals who are always keen to bust a move. Don’t expect much dancing from a hall full of wallflowers.

You should make sure that there aren’t any obstacles between your guests and the dance floor. Consider arranging your tables around the outside of the dance floor. This will make it easily accessible, while also enabling those who refuse to budge from their seats at least enjoy watching the others cut a rug.

Another thing – unless grandma wants to relive her disco days, you might want to seat her and grandpa a little way away from the speakers or band. The same goes for any other guests you think are not wild about loud music.

Give Them Space… But Not Too Much

While you’re obviously hoping that all of your wedding guests will want to dance, chances are you’ll not be able to get absolutely everyone moving. So, while you don’t want the floor to be overly cramped, a dance floor that is too big can create the impression that there aren’t many people on it. (Frankly, it can look a little sad.) This may make those who are dancing feel a little too exposed and so may put them off.

What’s more, a full dance floor creates the vibe that just about everyone is dancing, which is likely to tempt fence sitters to get up and join the crowd.

Clear Your Own Dance Card!

You don’t want your guests to have all the fun, do you?

With everybody wanting to offer their congratulations, it can be difficult for the bride or groom to actually make it to the dance floor. A good way to avoid this is to get your mingling out of the way beforehand – perhaps between courses on the menu.

That way, you’ll be free to hit the floor as soon as the music starts and, since you’re the guests of honour, your guests will be eager to join you there.

A guest article by our friends at Truly Experiences

Whether you have the budget for a destination wedding or want to keep it closer to home, safari-themed weddings are all the rage at the moment. There’s just so much you can do with a safari theme and something so romantic about the African bush!

It may be that you’ve never been on safari (hopefully, your wedding theme is symbolic of things to come!) or that a trip to Africa was an absolute dream travel experience.

Either way, we’ve got plenty of creative ideas to help you turn your wedding into an African wilderness wonderland.

It All Starts with the Invites

Protea wedding invitation by PumpkinWeddingDesign on Etsy

Protea wedding invitation by PumpkinWeddingDesign on Etsy (affiliate link)

Your wedding invitations are your guests’ first clue as to what they can expect on your big day. Whether you’re planning to post traditional paper invitations or go the increasingly popular E-invite route, you can get your creative juices flowing when you design your invites to align with your theme.

There are so many possibilities, but florals like proteas or bold animal prints are sure to be a dead giveaway if you really like to make a statement. Think leopard spots, Nguni hide, zebra stripes, elephant hide, and so forth. No tiger stripes if you truly want an African safari theme, though. (Good luck finding a tiger on the African plains.)

For something subtler, you may opt for rough-textured card or sustainable seed paper, with beige, white, olive green, and golden yellow hues in your colour scheme. Alternatively, you can look to the printed fabrics worn by the people of Africa for inspiration. The vibrant geometric designs worn by the Ndebele of South Africa are especially beautiful.

The silhouette of the baobab tree is an iconic African image that you may want to incorporate into your invitation artwork. Other quintessentially African images include southern Africa’s Big Five, which include the lion, leopard, African buffalo, black rhinoceros, and African bush elephant. An outline of the African continent could also be a nice touch.

By the way, you can apply all of these design ideas to your wedding website, if you have one, and your décor.

Choose a Venue in Keeping with the Theme

Even if you’re not able to have a destination wedding in the actual African wilderness, you can still choose a venue that lends itself to your safari theme.

Golden hour wedding photography by Becky Harley

Golden hour wedding photography by Becky Harley

There are several lodges in the UK that offer a safari-like wedding experience, complete with a collection of southern African wildlife, right in your backyard. Using one of these venues will mean that you don’t have to make much of an effort to create your theme, since everything you need will already be there. The event coordinators at these venues are also bound to offer a wealth of useful tips for creating your safari theme.

Try Port Lympne, Yorkshire Wildlife Park or search online for ethical zoos in the UK

Port Lympne wedding photography by Kent wedding photographer Benjamin Toms – tap to see the full wedding

You could even stop by a few of these places while you are venue shopping to source theme ideas, regardless of whether or not you end up actually holding your wedding there. While you’re at it, visit the websites of wedding venues actually in Africa for some added inspiration.

Keeping your theme in mind is important even if you don’t use a wedding venue that offers the actual safari experience. In this case, you should look out for rustic spaces, with distressed wood trimmings and simplistic décor – a suitable blank canvas waiting for your personal touch. That is, unless you’re going for a more “Out of Africa” type of theme, in which case a Georgian or Victorian estate, livened up by your safari décor, would do nicely.

Pick Your Piece of Africa

Remember that the African continent is vast and its vegetation, wildlife and people are varied. To ensure an authentic recreation of a real-life African safari, do a bit of geography homework first. The African safaris typically depicted in cinema are usually set in the southern and central eastern parts of the continent.

Regions famous for safaris include Kenya’s Maasai Mara, South Africa’s Kruger National Park, Botswana’s Chobe National Park, Tanzania’s Serengeti, and Namibia’s Etosha Pan, among others.

Each of these locations is characterised by a unique combination of flora, fauna and local customs. Of course, you can combine elements from various regions to create a more pan-African feel. Just be careful of tacky clichés and always remain respectful of local cultures. In any event, researching these places is sure to provide you with plenty of inspiration for your safari-themed wedding.

Create a Safari for the Senses

Our most memorable experiences are not only visual. Transport your guests to the Savannah, Serengeti or Skukuza by recreating the scents, sounds and flavours, as well as the sights, of the African wilderness.

Sights

All of the suggestions we made for your wedding invitations can also be included in your décor and even the wedding party’s attire. Use fabrics like hessian and canvas, with patterns inspired by African wildlife or tribal prints. Copper, pewter or wrought iron are appropriate selections for metallic décor elements.

Subtle accessories might include leopard-print footwear for the ladies, veldskoen shoes for the gents, and traditional African beaded jewellery. Your décor could feature mosquito netting, ethically sourced ostrich feathers, faux animal hide rugs, rock art, photographs of African animals and landscapes, and natural African faux flower bouquets and table dressings, to name but a few.

Sounds

For a truly authentic safari experience, include a background audio track of distinctive animal sounds – like the musical bray of the zebra, a lion’s roar, the trumpeting of an elephant, the sizzling whisper of the cicada, or the longing call of the African fish eagle – interspersed with the rustling of grass or the rumble of a passing thunderstorm. You’re sure to find an appropriate soundtrack with a quick internet search. You can even incorporate traditional African music into your wedding playlist.

Scents

To recreate the smell of a safari, you can spritz your table linen or use scented candles with earthy, smoky and woody scents. Ideally, your floral décor would include African plants – like wild camphor, gardenia, buchu, pelargonium, wild rosemary, confetti bushes, wild jasmine, asparagus fern, and wild basil – with distinctive natural aromas. Do be aware of sustainability though: importing flowers means a huge carbon footprint. Sometimes a few key faux flower stems which you can keep are the more ethical choice.

If possible, an actual bonfire can generate that authentic smoky smell, while also providing an excellent source of mood lighting. Also, if the chef is cooking up a feast of African cuisine, the smells drifting in from the kitchen will certainly help to complete your guests’ safari experience.

Flavours

Top off the safari experience with a menu of classic African dishes like fragrant spicy casseroles, tomato bredie, melktert, koeksisters, mosbolletjies, apricots in brandy, potpie, or a vegan peanut stew, depending on how adventurous your taste buds are feeling!

Now, you’re ready to tie the knot – safari style!

 

A guest article by our friends at Truly Experiences

So, you’ve started actively planning your wedding and it turns out there’s a bit more to it than just finding a dress (or suit) and a venue. Your caterer (or your mum) may have asked you what you want on the reception menu and now it occurs to you that you’ve never given much thought to meal planning.

Cue wedding-preparation panic? Don’t fret; we’ve got you covered with the ultimate guide to planning your wedding reception menu.

Using these tips, you’ll soon put together a delicious menu of wedding-worthy cuisine to make your big day even more memorable.

A wedding table laid with white crockery and delicate glassware, with candles and flowers in reds, corals and cream

Credit: Amanda Karen Photography. More ideas like this here: Winter colour in London

A wooden bar in a wedding Sperry tent, with a pale coral bouquet in a vase, a bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne and two glasses, and a simple two tier wedding cake with gold leaf decoration

Credit: Styled by Wonderful Events, captured by Dita Bowen Photography. More ideas like this here: French inspired Sperry Tent wedding style

Find the Flavour of the Season

Sometimes, what tastes good has a lot to do with the weather.
Who feels like soup at the height of summer or ice cream in the dead of winter?

So you should definitely bear the time of year in mind when planning your wedding reception menu. Also remember that, if you’re having a destination wedding, it might be a different season at your venue than at home.

A menu based on the season in which your wedding will take place will undoubtedly taste the best. It is also a great basis on which to narrow down your countless options and helps keep food expenses down. Here are some ideas for foods that work well with each of the seasons:

Spring

  • Fresh, in-season fruit and vegetables;
  • Light, cold beverages like wine, cocktails and fruit juice, rather than liqueurs and coffee;
  • Salmon and prawn appetisers;
  • Cold salads like Greek or potato salad;
  • Charcuterie boards with assorted fresh bread and preserves;
  • Jelly and pickled fruits;
  • Ice-cream and berry compote;
  • Biscuit table;
  • Wedding cupcakes or mini cheesecakes, rather than a full wedding cake; and
  • Most things from the summer menu.

Summer

  • Anything from the spring menu;
  • Gourmet sandwiches;
  • Crushed ice drinks like frozen smoothies, cocktails and cocktails;
  • Ice-cream, ice-cream sandwiches and sorbet;
  • Light tapas and
  • Street food

Autumn

  • Lightly cooked seasonal vegetables;
  • Risotto, couscous or polenta;
  • Apple pie or fruit cobbler;
  • Calamari rounds or prawns in lemon butter sauce;
  • Carrot cake;
  • Baby potatoes;
  • Carvery meats; and
  • Most things from the winter menu.

Winter

  • Anything from the autumn menu;
  • Warm quiches;
  • Roast root vegetable platters or meats;
  • Roast potatoes;
  • Stews or tagines;
  • Mulled wine, sangria or liqueurs; and
  • Rich chocolate cake.

You should also consider the time of day at which your reception will take place – lighter fare is more appropriate early in the day, while heartier dishes are preferable for evening meals.

Bear the Budget in Mind

Catering is generally one of the biggest wedding reception expenses so, if you’re trying to save money, you can achieve a lot by adjusting your menu accordingly. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean you have to skimp on flavour. While a Michelin Star dining experience is unlike any other, simple food can be just as delicious!

As a rule, the heavier the dish, the higher the price. So, simple yet scrumptious salads are good alternatives to gourmet roast vegetables. Meat and vegetables are generally pricier than starches so you can bulk up on fresh bread or rice to make your meals go further. If you’re planning to have a wedding cake, you could skip the desserts and serve cake for pudding instead. Similarly, you can serve only pre-wedding snacks or appetisers, instead of both.

Also, you may want to think twice about that open bar. A bottle or two of wine or grape juice for each table will do just fine without breaking the bank. Try to arrange to return unopened bottles to the supplier so you don’t pay for what hasn’t been consumed.

You might even be able to do some or all of the catering yourself, with the help of family and friends!

Consider the Caterer

Keep your catering needs in mind when selecting a wedding venue. Some venues may specialise in in-house catering, while others may require you to arrange your own food, and still, others may allow you to choose either option or a combination of both. If budget is important, be sure to do the maths carefully when comparing self-catering (or hiring a professional catering service) with what is offered in house.

Self-catering has to be managed cleverly to avoid mounting hidden expenses that could even end up costing you more than the venue would have charged.

If your venue is handling the catering, this will take a lot of the guesswork out of choosing a menu. The kitchen will likely offer a number of set menus with various combination options and price points for you to choose from. Buffets are a great way to offer variety without spending a fortune.

If you or a loved one will be doing the catering, don’t try to venture too far outside of your comfort zone. A simple and familiar favourite is far preferable to some culinary masterpiece like a soufflé for amateur chefs.

Incorporate Dietary Requirements

Be sure to have your guests notify you of any special dietary needs they may have when they RSVP to your invitations. A good way to ensure this is to create an online RSVP form that asks all the relevant questions.

Some of your guests might be allergic to peanuts or seafood or they may be lactose intolerant. You’re also bound to have a few vegetarians or vegans at your event these days. Don’t forget about the kids either! If you are going to allow children at your wedding, you should offer them special kiddies’ meals (pasta or pizza, or cute sandwiches and nibbles) and keep the portions small to eliminate wastage.

Also, be sure to include some non-alcoholic beverage options for the kids or anyone else who prefers “clean” drinks.

Plan Around Your Wedding Style

Obviously, you want your food to fit in with your theme at your wedding, particularly if that theme involves particular activities or seating arrangements. Sit-down dinners, for example, are not ideal for boho-style weddings, where everyone is sitting on cushions on the carpet.

If you expect there to be a lot of dancing, maybe don’t make the meal too rich. If your wedding is themed around a particular place (say, Morocco) in the world, then including local dishes from the region would be a nice touch.

 

A guest article by our friends at Truly Experiences with images by lovely Sheryl at Oobaloos Photography

When the time comes and you’re ready to start planning your wedding, finding ways to include your loved ones becomes a critical part of it all. From finding ways to include your parents and siblings to those long-lost relatives that start popping up, it can be a real juggle!

One way to lighten the mood and bring back the warm and fuzzies is to include your pets in your wedding. After all, they’re a special part of the family and should be included in your big day too!

Of course, this begs the question, how do you actually go about including them?

We’ve got a few ways to incorporate your pets into your special day. It’s really important you consider your pet’s wellbeing over and above anything else. Cats should never be taken to a wedding venue – please, always make sure they’re looked after at home! Some dogs will love a big exciting day out with all of your best people, but some won’t, so do consider your pet’s feelings and make sure they’ll be happy throughout all the excitement!

Naturally, some of the options will depend on the level of self-control your pet has. The last thing you want is to have them causing chaos in the middle of your “I dos”.

Another aspect you need to consider is whether your venue is pet-friendly or not. If you would like to have your dog with you (or another very tolerant furry or feathered friend!), you will need to find a space that is willing to accommodate them or make arrangements with your venue beforehand.

Should your pet be allowed at the venue, you’ll also need to look into using pet-friendly confetti, use decorations that cannot be easily destroyed, and, of course, ensure that they have food, water, and toys to keep them occupied.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can go about including your pets on your special day.

Here are a few simple suggestions to jumpstart your creativity. The options are endless, it all depends on what you’re willing to do and if your pets decide to cooperate of course! It might not always be an option to have them there in all their glory, but there are ways to work around it.

The Cutest Ring Bearer

The level of trust involved with this is quite high, as your dog will be responsible for carrying the wedding bands.
A simple way of doing so is to tie the rings to their collar. If you’re worried about them running off, you can always have them on a leash and have the flower girls walk them down the aisle.

Front And Centre

Have your dog attend your wedding, sitting right up front with your bridesmaids and groomsmen. They’ll be right there as you say your I dos while sitting amongst some of the most important people in your life.

If you know that they wouldn’t keep still, placing a framed photo of them on a seat is another special way to include them. For the more tech-savvy couples, you can also include them via Skype or Zoom.

Family Portraits

Including your pet in the photos on the day is bound to make it a memorable experience. This way, they don’t need to be there the entire time, but will still be involved in the day. You’ll need to have a pet sitter willing to watch them while you’re busy and help you manage the chaos when they join the party. Alternatively, shoot a few pictures with them beforehand and have someone take them home afterwards. If you’re getting ready at home, a ‘first look’ (where you see each other in your outfits before the ceremony) is a lovely way to include a cat or other pet who’d rather stay at home!

Wedding Announcements

If including your pet on the actual wedding day is not possible, you can easily include them in the build-up.

You can use them in your engagement shoot, wedding announcement and even include their pawprint or picture on stationery. For example, the save the date, wedding invites, seating chart, or menu – there are so many options!

Upgrade Your Decor

For the pets that can’t be there, you can find creative ways of featuring them in your setup. This can include an animal theme cake topper, a cardboard cutout of them at the photo booth, or even include pictures of them amongst the images featured on the day.

Rethink Your Menu

Instead of the run-of-the-mill cocktail menu or set menu, get creative with the names you use. For example, your welcome drink could be along the lines of “Rocco’s Favourite” and appear in a festive glass.

For menu items, you can look for ways to make them animal-themed. Or simply use creative napkins with funny messages. You can really get creative with this.

Name The Tables

If you have more than one pet, you could use their names to allocate tables instead of table numbers. The seating chart could feature a picture of them next to the table allocations and perhaps a paw print or two. You could even theme each table to fit the pet that it’s named after.

Themed Thank You Gifts

While these are not a must, most weddings tend to have some sort of thank you gift. A doggie bag is a great way to round off a pet-themed wedding – if you have dogs.

You can really get creative with gifts that have an animal association. Perhaps a hair of the dog pack to help guests recover the day after? Or a voucher for a unique animal themed experience?

Preparation Is Key

Another great way to incorporate your pet is while you’re getting ready. They can feature in the photos and help provide hugs and kisses if you start feeling stressed out.

Plus, this doesn’t need to be at the venue, which means that your pet isn’t stressed out or over-excited.

It’s Your Day, Enjoy It Your Way

At the end of the day, it’s your big day and you can choose who to spend it with. If you want to include your pets, you certainly can.

From having them at your side at the altar to having them feature throughout the decor, there are so many creative ways you can go about getting the job done. Of course, a lot of this boils down to what your venue allows, so be sure to get the thumbs up from them before you start planning!

A guest article by our friends at Truly Experiences with images by Damien Vickers Photography from Nicola & George’s DIY wedding at home

The average wedding emits the same amount of CO2 as 4-5 people would in an entire year. If you add to that the hundreds of pounds of waste produced, to say that most weddings are not eco-friendly is an understatement.

Luckily, there are ways to keep the carbon emissions and waste from your wedding at a bare minimum. If you follow these tips for an (almost) zero-waste wedding, you can get married in style without harming the planet.

Keep It Local

Destination weddings were once all the rage, but flying all your friends and family across the world to see you tie the knot is simply not feasible if you want your wedding to have a low ecological impact.

Instead, keep your wedding local – though exotic climes may be tempting, there are so many magical wedding venues right on your doorstep. You can even extend this idea to your honeymoon too.

Keep It Small

With more and more people embracing the micro wedding, you might just be waiting for an excuse to keep the guest list limited to your nearest and dearest.

Limiting attendees to only those who are really important to you can minimize stress and make the day into a really special one.

Something Old

The fashion industry accounts for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions. Instead of spending a fortune on a dress or outfit you will only wear once, why not go vintage? There is no better way to keep it sustainable while at the same time honoring the past and embracing the timeless elegance of “granny chic”. And you can always have outfits altered to be a better fit, both size and style-wise.

Embracing vintage chic can go beyond just your outfits and your bridesmaids’ dresses. The current trend for vintage-style maximalism is a great opportunity to go hunting in junk shops and antique stores for décor inspiration. Repurposing second-hand items in new ways will give your wedding the elegance of the past combined with a quirky edge. So bring out your grandmother’s old doilies for place settings and teacups for champagne.

Something Borrowed

Wherever you can, hire instead of buy. Often, things like tables, chairs and crockery come with a venue, but if not, there are lots of places where you can hire beautiful wedding goods. Note that hiring from many different places means more CO2 emissions in the form of transport vehicles, so the more you can get from the venue or from one place, the better.

These days, there are even lots of options for hiring beautiful wedding gowns and stylish suits. If you think about it, it doesn’t make much sense to buy something you will only wear once. Another more sustainable option when it comes to wardrobe is to go a more casual route and buy a cute and funky outfit you will easily wear again.

Paperless Wedding Invitations

In all likelihood, you were planning to get in contact with guests via email or other digital communication anyway, which renders paper invitations not strictly necessary. But you can still make your invites beautiful and special by using an E-invitations service.

If you are set on paper invites, go for recyclable/compostable paper or something more sustainable like bamboo. One way to make your invitations extra-special is to use seeded paper that will grow into flowers if planted! Just make sure your guests know what they are supposed to do with their invites.

Look Into Zero-Waste Beauty Products

These days, more and more cosmetic companies are committed to being zero waste. Researching which brands are legitimately sustainable will take some time, but voting with your wallet is an important way to let brands know that consumers care about sustainability.

If you are hiring a professional makeup artist or hairstylist, contact them beforehand and let them know you’d like to eliminate as much waste from the process as possible and only want to use sustainable brands. If they say it is impossible, they may not be the right fit for you.
But there are certainly lots of professionals out there who will take up the zero-waste challenge. Who knows, you may even change their practices long term.

Find A Venue That Shares Your Values

When looking into venues, make a commitment to sustainability one of your top priorities. Find a place with its recycling and composting system, and one that already has its own wedding goods and décor. Ask them about how they keep their energy use low and minimize waste.
You should be able to tell by how they respond whether they are truly committed to sustainability or just paying lip service. When it comes to venues, it is important to feel that the place you choose reflects your values and takes your concerns seriously.

Choose Reusable Or Compostable Goods

There are many little things at weddings that can add up to a mountain of rubbish. From programs to menus to serviettes to drinks bottles, it’s easy to see how those kilograms of waste add up.

Wherever you can, choose options that are recyclable or compostable, and make sure you have clearly marked bins, so your guests know what goes where. Also, skip the bottled water for jugs of filtered water at your hydration station.

Stay Local & In-Season

When designing your menu, go for ingredients that are grown locally and are in season. This way, you can minimize carbon emissions while supporting local farmers. In-season produce is always the most delicious anyway.

If you really want to keep emissions low, consider a plant-based or meat-free menu.

If you are using a caterer, try to find one committed to sustainability, or talk to them beforehand to get them on board. It’s also a good idea to do research into sustainable wines or talk to your drinks supplier to make sure you are supporting brands that share your zero-waste ambitions.

That Goes For Flowers Too

There is a wealth of gorgeous flora that grows naturally right here in the UK. Talk to your florist to make sure all your flowers are grown locally and sustainably. You could even go for dried flowers for an autumnal, cottage-core aesthetic.

Attempting a zero-waste wedding does take a little more effort, but it’s not as hard as you might think. Your guests will admire your commitment and you may even inspire others to pursue a zero-waste wedding and lifestyle!