— 7 tips for planning a sustainable wedding —

Your wedding day should be one of the most joyful, memorable moments of your life — but without some thought, it can also create a surprising amount of waste. From printed stationery to floral foam, decorations and catering, weddings can leave a significant environmental footprint.

If you care about the planet, you can absolutely plan a day that’s stylish, personal, and planet-friendly. Below are our favourite UK-based ideas, trends, and eco-conscious suppliers for 2026 and beyond.

1. Jewellery with a Story: Antique, Heirloom & Recycled Pieces

Instead of buying brand new, consider jewellery that already has history — from family heirlooms to vintage finds and recycled metal designs. You’ll get timeless style and lower your environmental impact. Here’s some UK jewellers we love:

• Parkin & Gerrish — specialists in antique and vintage jewellery, from Georgian to Art Deco eras.

• Walter Bull & Son — a heritage jeweller offering antique and period jewellery.

• Kimai — Fully recycled 18ct gold, lab-grown diamonds, distinctive styles, and bespoke service.

Many contemporary designers now upcycle antique pieces, blending sentimentality with sustainability.

2. Sustainable Stationery & Wedding Invitations

Traditional heavy cardstock invites are beautiful, but there are far greener ways to invite your guests.

Eco-friendly options include:

• Recycled or FSC-certified paper.

• Seed paper invitations that can be planted to grow wildflowers.

• Vegetable- or soy-based inks.

• Minimalist designs with fewer inserts.

• Digital Save-the-Dates or full wedding websites for reduced printing.

Some of our most recommended suppliers are:

• Poppy & Thistle – stunning seed-paper and recycled stationery from around £1.25 per invite.

• Paper Birch – recycled and handmade wedding stationery starting at around £12 for a pack of 10.

• Little Green Wedding – plantable stationery and zero-waste designs from a UK-based specialist.

3. Florals & Greenery with Integrity

Blooms are central to any wedding, but imported flowers and floral foam can have an enormous carbon footprint. The good news? You can have stunning flowers and stay eco-friendly.

Try:

• Using British-grown, seasonal flowers instead of imported ones. Check out our blog on seasonal flowers for some ideas.

• Choosing florists who are foam-free and use reusable structures.

• Opting for dried or preserved flowers for longer life and reuse.

• Donating flowers to care homes or hospices after the wedding.

• Embracing the 2026 trend for wildflower and meadow-inspired designs — natural, loose, and bursting with texture, as seen here in The Knot

4. Choose a Venue That Does the Heavy Lifting

Selecting a venue with built-in beauty means less décor, less transport, and less waste.

• Look for historic houses, botanical gardens, or countryside barns with character.

• Rent rather than buy — from furniture and lighting to table décor.

• Reuse or upcycle decorative elements.

• Choose venues that use renewable energy, such as Howsham Hall or have clear sustainability policies.

• Combine your ceremony and reception at one site to reduce travel.

5. Dresses, Suits & Outfits: Rent or Re-wear

Wedding fashion doesn’t have to be single-use. A key trend over the last few years has been to opt for renting or buying pre-loved outfits. Not only is this more sustainable but it can save on the budget too.

Sustainable fashion choices include:

• Renting your outfit for a fraction of the cost.

• Buying preloved gowns or suits from UK boutiques or resale sites.

• Opting for natural fabrics like silk, linen or organic cotton.

• Choosing re-wearable outfits for both you and your guests.

Some of the top sites we love:

• Something Borrowed Bridal – bridal dress rental service with fittings available.

• Hurr – designer hire platform with bridal and guest outfit options.

• Still White UK – pre-loved wedding dresses from UK brides.

6. Confetti & Guest Experience

Confetti is traditional — but it’s not always kind to the environment. In fact, many venues have banned the use of plastic confetti altogether. However, if you’re looking for that ultimate ‘just married’ photo, there are lots of eco-friendly alternatives:

• Petal confetti – fully biodegradable and available from UK suppliers like Shropshire Petals.

• Ribbon wands – reusable and great for photographs.

• Bubbles or sparklers (where permitted) for beautiful send-off shots.

• Smoke bombs- create a wonderfully colourful photo with no plastic left over.

7. Food, Drink & Catering

Food & hospitality is one of the biggest parts of your wedding, and can also be one of the biggest sustainability challenges.

To minimise your impact:

• Work with caterers who use local, seasonal produce where possible.

• Offer plant-forward menus — vegetarian or vegan options have a lower carbon footprint.

• Choose UK wines, beers, and spirits to support local producers. At Dine we can recommend excellent British options you may not have thought of!

• Avoid single-use plastics entirely.

Creating a sustainable wedding doesn’t mean compromising on beauty, style or joy. By choosing UK-based suppliers who share your environmental values — from florists to caterers to designers — you can have a celebration that’s meaningful and mindful.

If you’d like expert help designing your perfect eco-friendly wedding, our team can connect you with trusted sustainable suppliers across the UK.