One of the greatest blessings in life is finding the person that your soul and heart connect with so strongly you decide to commit to one another for the rest of your lives. While getting engaged takes a lot of planning for the person doing the proposing, there are even more decisions to make when it comes to the wedding.

Add to the decision-making the desire to make your wedding as eco-friendly as possible; things can feel overwhelming. We all know we’re facing a climate crisis that demands attention and acknowledging that the decisions you make around your big day are a beautiful thing. If you’re looking for ways to make your wedding more earth-friendly, here are some tips for pulling off a beautiful and sustainable wedding.

Ditch the Disposables 

Of the easiest ways to make a massive difference in your environmental impact when it comes to your wedding is to ditch anything disposable. That’s right, no disposable cutlery, drinkware, or dishes. While it’s tempting, especially if you’re doing a casual wedding or a reception outdoors, using easy things to clean up and just toss after they’re used, resist the urge. Even if a catering company isn’t in your wedding budget, you can still rent plates, cups, and more from a catering company to cover the needs of your guests. 

Don’t Throw Confetti or Rice

While it’s a fun moment to throw confetti and other items as you and your partner exit your reception, it’s just a moment. Instead, opt for more environmentally friendly items to throw. While it’s a total urban myth (albeit pervasive) that rice poses a danger to wild birds and you could opt for it, just like confetti it’s debris that needs to be cleaned up. Sparklers are an excellent alternative to confetti, and there are eco-friendly bamboo sparklers on the market. Additionally, your guests could hold beeswax candles, or you could forego the tradition altogether. 

Conscious Rings

There are several areas where a bride or groom may have an issue with their wedding rings. For some, it’s the issue of how diamonds are mined as a humanitarian issue. In these instances, even if they’ve narrowed their preference to princess cut engagement rings or cathedral pave diamond bands, going with lab-grown over earth-mined is a conscious decision. For others, gold mining is an issue for its environmental impact. Opt instead for recycled gold rings or an entirely different material. Plenty of couples choose bands made of wood or even silicone. The world is your oyster when it comes to choosing their bands. 

Ethical Registry 

It’s easy to register for a ton of things you’ve had your eye on when it comes to your wedding registry. Try being more mindful of your and your partner’s wishlist and register for sustainably made items you can get years of use from. You may not live a minimalist lifestyle but think like a utilitarian when planning your wedding registry. 

Plant-Based Menu 

While there are benefits to eating local, ethically farmed meats, opting for a vegan menu at your wedding is a sustainable choice. Facts are facts, and the factory farming of animals is detrimental to the environment for several reasons, chiefly the off-gassing. Opting instead for a vibrant, colorful vegan menu is not only climate-conscious but more affordable than serving meat or fish at your wedding. In addition to going vegetarian or vegan for your reception, try to source local fruits and vegetables – even the flowers for the ceremony and reception could be sourced locally. 

Donate Afterwards

When all is said and done after a wedding and its reception, there are tons of items left over. From decor, flowers, and food, there is so much that can end up being wasted. Instead of throwing all the things away, donate them to organizations that can use them. Some services will dry your flowers for you and even frame them or put them in resin to create mementos if you want a keepsake of some kind. Deciding to donate the items will not only keep them out of the landfill but will benefit others in your community in the process. 

Planning a wedding, while stressful, is an exciting experience. Living a more intentional and mindful lifestyle is a priority for most people, so don’t lose that priority when it comes to your wedding and reception. Congratulations, and enjoy this next chapter of your lives together!