So, You’re Engaged and Wanting a Sustainable Wedding — Where Should You Start?
Author: Georgina Oliver / Published: 03 February 2026
After exhibiting at the ‘Love Shack’ wedding fair on the 1st of February 2026 at The Shack Revolution in Hereford, one thing became really clear: most couples had already booked their venue… and then everything else looked very different from couple to couple.
Some were diving straight into décor, others were thinking about food first, and many were still figuring out what their priorities actually were , often while juggling work, family opinions, and a never-ending stream of Instagram inspiration and a Pinterest board full to the brim of inspiration.
Something else really stood out to us too: a lot of people hadn’t even thought about the sustainability aspect of their wedding before we mentioned it. And honestly? That makes complete sense. When you first get engaged, sustainability isn’t always the first thing on your mind, you’re usually thinking “We’re engaged!”, “Where will we get married?” and “How on earth do we plan all of this?”
But once the conversation started, so many couples loved the idea. It felt like a little light-bulb moment:
“Oh! We can do this in a more thoughtful way, without it being stressful or boring.”
And that’s often how it starts.
Wondering Where To Start ? Try and Start With a Venue That Shares Your Values
If you’re at the stage where your venue is already booked , that’s amazing. It’s a huge milestone and one of the biggest decisions you’ll make (what a relief that’s done!).
And if sustainability wasn’t part of that choice? That’s completely okay. Most couples book a venue based on how it feels, how it looks, and whether they can picture themselves getting married there, not on carbon footprints and waste policies.
If you are still looking, choosing a venue that actively prioritises sustainability is one of the biggest-impact decisions you can make.
This is where Sustainable Wedding Alliance (SWA) venues really shine.
When you book an SWA venue, you’re choosing a space that:
- Actively works to reduce waste and emissions
- Supports ethical and local suppliers
- Takes genuine steps towards environmental responsibility (not just greenwashing)
It also tends to make the rest of your planning easier, sustainable venues often recommend like-minded suppliers and encourage thoughtful choices without pressure. Take a look at their recommended suppliers list to check out their options!
In the conscious couples section of the SWA website, they have a carbon calculator which is a super easy tool to use to assess your weddings carbon foot print.
Think “Supplier-Led” Sustainability
One of the easiest ways to plan a more sustainable wedding is to lean on the people you’re booking.
Let’s be honest, most couples don’t have the time (or energy) to research every single detail in depth. And you shouldn’t have to.
Instead of feeling like sustainability is another thing to add to your to-do list, you can choose:
- Styling and Décor – A styling and décor supplier who focuses on reuse rather than buying new
- Food Supplier – Food suppliers who source locally and minimise waste
- Photographer – A photographer who works consciously and ethically
- Plant Styling – Real potted plant rentals so there is zero foliage styling waste
- Florists – Florists who prioritise seasonal, foam-free flowers
By choosing suppliers like us, who are part of the SWA network, you can feel confident you’re making good choices, even if sustainability wasn’t part of your original plan.
Small Choices Make a Big Difference
Sustainable weddings don’t have to be “all or nothing”.
For many couples we spoke to at the wedding fair, it wasn’t about being perfect, it was about being more mindful than they might have been otherwise.
Even small decisions can have a real impact:
- Hiring décor instead of buying it “just in case”
- Choosing handmade or reusable backdrops (just like ours)
- Supporting local suppliers – this minimises travel and puts money into the local businesses
- Reducing single-use items where possible
These choices add up, and often result in a wedding that feels more intentional and personal anyway.
At Botanical Weddings, we also offer a reuse and recycle scheme. Couples and lovers can donate their decorations to us, knowing they’ll bring future couples joy — rather than sitting in a reusable Morrisons bag in the garage for a couple of years before eventually making their way to a charity shop… you know the score.
A Wedding That Reflects You
What we loved most about the wedding fair was seeing how open couples were once the conversation started. Sustainability doesn’t mean compromising on style or creativity, if anything, it encourages you to be more thoughtful and intentional.
A sustainable wedding is:
- Personal
- Creative
- Intentional
- And rooted in values that last far beyond one day
If you’re newly engaged and wondering where to begin, start with one good decision, then build from there.
And if sustainability is something you hadn’t thought about before reading this? That’s completely okay. The important thing is that you can start now 💚
Get in touch to start your journey towards a more sustainable wedding.