In today's world, couples are increasingly aware of the significant impact we all have on our planet. It's no surprise that we've received many inquiries lately from couples seeking unique and sustainable wedding ideas to help celebrate their wedding. So, let's explore some eco-conscious wedding ideas that merge style, sentiment, and sustainability for the eco-conscious couple.

It all starts with a sustainable wedding venue

Right from the beginning of your wedding planning journey, prioritizing sustainability can be a central theme. It's no coincidence that you've discovered The Maples Estate, aligning with your love of the outdoors and offering you the freedom to curate an authentic celebration. Our venue has unique antique charm and remains conscientious of our ecological footprint with strategic gardens, grass paths and wild meadows. Nestled in the outdoors, our space provides an opportunity to enjoy breathtaking natural landscapes which are home to our local wildlife including deer, eagles, heron, bunnies, turtles, fish, frogs, fire flies, bees, squirrels, and more!

At The Maples Estate, we consolidate all your events in one location, facilitating meaningful connections while minimizing your carbon footprint. Moreover, we encourage guests to immerse themselves in the local community, supporting nearby businesses and neighborhoods during their stay. Additionally, upon booking, we provide a curated list of vendors including those that are local and eco-conscious. Embracing the ethos of reuse, we even offer our very own prop and rentals inventory, include tables and chairs in your package, and collaborate with specialty rental companies, enabling you to opt for reusable decor, linens, tableware, and even furniture, thereby reducing the consumption of new materials.

Amidst our stunning landscapes and vintage-inspired interiors, our venue allows for understated yet refined designs and encourages you to work with vendors that match your unique style and wedding vision. Imagine incorporating potted plants, dried florals, and repurposed elements.

As owners we embody an eco-friendly lifestyle ourselves by living in an off grid converted school bus (skoolie) on the property which has solar power and composting capabilities. We even have a solar powered, off grid, gravity fed 4-stall restroom built into a shipping container which your guests will use throughout your wedding weekend!

Ethical Invitations & Pre-Loved Stationery

From the beginning of your guests experience you can share your love of the environment! Why not opt for invitations made from recycled paper or scratch tradition with colorful digital invites. Consider sending paperless save-the-dates to reduce paper waste, and for printed elements, source stationery from companies using recycled materials or choose plantable options. Embrace pre-loved stationery or repurpose paper goods for a unique touch.

Sustainable and Rented Attire

Couples can champion sustainability in their attire choices by opting for garments crafted from eco-conscious fabrics such as organic cotton, hemp, or recycled materials. Consider the eco-friendly option of renting a wedding gown or suit, significantly lessening the environmental impact linked with clothing production. Alternatively, explore stores that specialize in pre-loved or vintage wedding attire, extending their lifecycle and reducing the demand for new production.

Eco-Conscious and Veg Catering

Work alongside your caterer to craft a menu that celebrates locally sourced, organic, and seasonal ingredients. In addition, why not embrace the tasty world of plant-based cuisine, offering a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes that your guests will love. Partner with caterers well-versed in eco-friendly practices and prioritize the use of reusable or compostable dinnerware to minimize waste. Some caterers may include dishware in their package or you can source from local rental companies. Ask your caterer if they are able to incorporate composting stations and / or recycling bins for their kitchen prep, bar service and cleanup. Encouraging such culinary practices contributes to a sustainable and environmentally conscious dining experience for you and your guests. Extend sustainability post-celebration by asking your caterer to donate any leftover food to a shelter.

Tablecloths with a Story

Sourcing reused and vintage tablecloths and runners is a great way to bring life to your celebration! Not only do they tell a fun color story, but they also add unique character to your tablescape. Hunt for these treasures in antique stores, flea markets, or through specialized vintage rental services, where each tablecloth carries its own unique history. Wanting a more consistant look? Rent linens from your caterer or a rental company instead of purchasing them on your own. You can also opt for wooden tables that do not require the use of a linen.

Sustainable Floral Choices

Wanting cut florals at your wedding? Opt for locally sourced blooms grown by eco-conscious florists dedicated to reducing their environmental impact. Consider seasonal flowers indigenous to your region, minimizing carbon footprint and supporting local growers. Embrace the art of wildflower arrangements or dried florals, extending the lifespan of your blooms beyond the celebration. Choose adaptable and light weight floral arrangements for your ceremony to repurpose them at your reception and talk to your florist to find areas of impact to provide interest while minimizing the amount of blooms required.

By incorporating such mindful choices into your floral arrangements, you not only create breathtaking aesthetics but also play a part in preserving the planet's natural beauty. Consider donating your florals to local restaurants or a nursing home following your celebration, or even drying them for future use in your home. If these are not options for you personally, ask your florist if they are able to compost items for you. If not, we can compost them onsite at The Maples Estate.

Looking for something a little different? We have seen some pretty fun alternative floral options including wooden flowers and even a beaded bouquet!

Source Pre-Loved Decor

For those seeking unique and sustainable wedding decor, thrift and antique shops and online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and eBay offer a treasure trove of possibilities. Sort through these digital aisles or wander through brick and mortar stores to discover an array of pre-loved decor items. There are also some incredible local rental companies offering unique finds that will elevate your design! Check out our props and rental inventory and collaborate with specialty rental companies to find reusable decor, linens, tableware, and even furniture.

Zero-Waste Gifts & Favors

Express gratitude to guests with eco-conscious favors such as potted plants, homemade vegan treats, or reusable items. Encourage experiences over physical gifts and suggest donations for animal sanctuaries, renewable energy, carbon offset projects and other environmental organizations. You can even go as far as gifting saplings to your guests or planting a tree at your home or in your neighborhood to commemorate your wedding and offset your wedding's carbon footprint.

Sustainable Transportation

Encourage guests to stay local, carpool, use eco-friendly transportation options, or even offer shuttle services to reduce the carbon footprint of travel throughout your wedding weekend.