Eco wedding: table setting with candles in glass jars

Planning the wedding of your dreams doesn’t have to come at the cost of the planet or the environment. Today, more than ever, couples are looking to take traditional wedding planning, flip it on its head, and opt for something more sustainable to align with their values and style. Enter the eco wedding — an environmentally conscious approach to saying “I do.”

From paper-free digital invitations to biodegradable decorations and low-waste practices, planning an eco-friendly wedding is all about making thoughtful decisions that preserve the Earth without compromising on the beauty or joy of your perfect wedding. 

In the guide below, we’ll discuss ways to plan a stunning, sustainable, eco-friendly wedding with green themes, wedding decor, and invitation inspiration that will help set the tone for your special day. 

Why Choose an Eco Wedding?

Weddings are a chance to celebrate your love for each other and your values as a couple. With an eco-friendly wedding, you get to honor your shared commitment to the planet. Plus, a sustainable celebration minimizes waste, reduces your carbon footprint, and promotes mindfulness. You’ll have a positive impact on the environment and your guests.

How to Send Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations 

Eco wedding: Mountain Range Invitation

Design: Anupama Srivastava  | Mountain Range Invitation

Your wedding invitations are the first details guests see pertaining to your special day. By opting for sustainable and eco-conscious designs and materials, you’re not only upholding your own green standards but setting the standard for all guests who receive it. 

Looking for ways to reduce your environmental impact right from the start? Check out a few eco-conscious invitation options below, perfect for couples looking to lessen their environmental impact:

  • Seed paper: A special type of biodegradable paper that is embedded with seeds so that it can be planted after use. With the ability to choose between wildflowers, herbs, or vegetables, it’s a perfect invite and a little wedding favor for your guests! 
  • Recycled paper: Using 100% recycled materials for your invites is a great way to reduce landfill waste while still staying true to the style you’re aiming for. You can also look for stationery that uses soy-based ink and biodegradable envelopes to keep things even more green.
  • Digital or online invitations: Eliminate sending physical invites altogether by opting for digital invites. An added bonus, digital invites are cost-effective and have the capability to be fully customizable, giving you the freedom to add whichever details you think are necessary.

5 Eco Wedding Themes That Are a Breath of Fresh Air

Choosing a theme for your eco-inspired wedding sets the standard for what your entire day will entail. From invitations and decor to food and drinks, your theme says it all! 

These sustainable themes offer a breath of fresh air (literally!) by combining elegant and stylish elements with earth-friendly touches. 

1. Forest

Eco wedding: Mt. Rainier Invitation

Design: National Park Foundation | Mt. Rainier Invitation

Let love grow beneath the trees. A forest-inspired wedding theme offers a serene way to celebrate your love with friends and family. Choose a woodland wedding venue, forest lodge, or even a national park to blend beauty with sustainability. 

Decorate with wild greenery, dried leaves, and natural fabrics while incorporating reusable elements like moss-covered centerpieces and repurposed wood table settings. A green wedding rooted in the forest is not only visually stunning but also a heartfelt reflection of your commitment to each other and to the planet.

2. Minimalist

Eco wedding: Soulmates Invitation

Design: Claudia Owen | Soulmates Invitation

A minimalist-style eco wedding is all about doing more with less. Rather than going all out and spending your money on single-use items, choose to fill your day with simplicity and intention. 

Cut down your guest list and invite only your closest family and friends. Choose a bright wedding venue where natural light takes center stage while keeping your decor understated with natural textures such as linen, wood, and stone. Opt for reusable table settings, wedding favors made from recycled materials, and digital wedding invitations to reduce waste. Remember, minimalist doesn’t mean boring; it means purposeful. 

3. Urban Garden Party

Bold Garden Invitation

Design: Mint Parcel | Bold Garden Invitation

Love the energy of the big city but crave the simplicity and calmness of nature? An urban garden party is the perfect fusion. This green wedding idea brings beauty to terraces and courtyards with green roofing and spacious garden spaces. 

Lower your carbon footprint without leaving the city by decorating with potted plants, greenery, and solar-powered lights to create an inviting and low-impact atmosphere. Partner with local vendors and caterers who value organic ingredients, and use biodegradable signage for your seating charts and menus. 

4. Vintage Elegance

Golden Florals Invitation

Design: Claudia Owen | Golden Florals Invitation

For those who value timeless and sentimental details, a vintage elegance wedding theme blends the old into the new. Add a modern and sustainable twist by using antique tableware, used or second-hand decor, and heirloom pieces that add history and help you avoid buying new, one-time-use materials. 

Opt for rentals of vintage china and linens, adding to the authentic atmosphere without needing to purchase new items. Think edible wedding favors like handmade cookies, vintage tea tins with tea bags, or local jam in reusable jars to reduce waste. Complete the theme by choosing a historic wedding venue that supports green wedding initiatives. 

5. Farm-to-Table Rustic  

Rustic Lace Invitation

Design: Signature Greenvelope | Rustic Lace Invitation

For couples who crave a deep connection to nature and believe in real, fresh ingredients, a farm-to-table rustic wedding is a perfect theme. This style of sustainable wedding allows the bride and groom to embrace eco-friendly practices and reduce their carbon footprint. 

Hosting at a local, organic farm or a vineyard lets you serve fresh foods from people that prioritize sustainable sourcing. Incorporate herbs, flowers, or seasonal bowls of fruit as centerpieces. Skip the single-use cutlery and opt for something reusable. Set up compost bins to minimize waste at the wedding reception, and consider offering a carpool or bus service to reduce the emissions on the road. 

Ideas for Sustainable Wedding Decor

Gifts wrapped in brown paper with dried flowers

Eco-conscious wedding decor can be just as stunning as traditional options. For many, the thoughtfulness and consideration behind sustainable wedding choices only add to the charm and uniqueness of your celebration. From wedding flowers to lighting and table settings, there are countless ways you can make mindful choices while maintaining a sophisticated aesthetic.

Decor

  • Use potted plants or succulents as centerpieces or for lining your aisle. These can also double as wedding favors for guests. 
  • Incorporate second-hand, thrifted, or rented decor, like vintage candleholders, glasses, or chairs. No need for everything to match! 
  • Ask your florist to use reusable or repurposed vases to minimize waste. 
  • Use eco-friendly signage and table numbers made from seed paper or biodegradable materials.

Lighting 

  • Set the mood with LED string lights, lanterns, or candles instead of traditional party lighting.
  • Select a wedding venue that utilizes renewable energy sources like solar or wind power. 
  • Be mindful of the timing of your event. Hosting during daylight hours naturally reduces energy use and lowers emissions, especially if your celebration is held outdoors.  

Florals 

  • Choose locally sourced flowers from sustainable florists or local vendors. 
  • Avoid floral foams (that hold flowers in place) as they’re non-biodegradable. Ask your florist to use chicken-wire or reusable bases if you need structured support for your arrangements. 
  • Take your wedding flowers from your ceremony, and use them for your wedding reception. You can place your bouquets on your sweetheart table, cake display, or even on the bar for an added touch of beauty.

5 More Waste-Free Wedding Tips

An eco-friendly wedding isn’t just about looks. It’s about mindful choices at every stage of the day. Even the smallest elements have the power to make an impact. These easy etiquette tips help keep things green for your guests: 

  1. Use digital invites and RSVPs: We mentioned digital invitations earlier, but it bears repeating. Between the engagement celebration, wedding shower, bachelor and bachelorette parties, save the dates, wedding invites, and thank you cards — that’s a lot of paper. Instead, use Greenvelope to send invitations via email or text for all the wedding-related events. Guests can RSVP in just a few clicks, and you can easily track meal choices and plus ones. It’s fast, efficient, and good for the planet! 
  2. Promote carpooling or offer a shuttle: Do your part to reduce travel-related carbon emissions by offering guests ways to attend your celebration. Especially helpful at destination weddings, carpooling or a shared shuttle service are eco-friendly perks guests really appreciate. 
  3. Request cleaner gift-giving: Invite guests to skip traditional wrapping paper or use recycled materials for gifting. Another option is to register for donations to an eco-friendly non-profit in lieu of gifts. You can easily add these details to your invite or wedding website.  
  4. Hand out eco-friendly wedding favors: Skip the plastic trinkets, and opt for favors that are reusable, biodegradable, or meaningful. Examples include: homemade jam or honey in reusable jars, seed bombs or small potted plants, or a donation to a non-profit in the guest’s name. 
  5. Recommend sustainable or green hotels: Help guests make eco-conscious choices by suggesting hotels that prioritize sustainability. Look for accommodations with green certifications, energy-efficient practices, refillable toiletry stations, or locally sourced food options.

Plan Your Eco Wedding Today

Planning a wedding that reflects both your love and your values is a completely attainable desire. Whether you’re drawn to the quiet beauty of a forest celebration, the charm of vintage elegance, or the simplicity of a minimalist gathering, there are endless ways to make your eco-friendly wedding meaningful and memorable for you and your guests. 

By choosing sustainable materials, working with local vendors, and making mindful decisions every step of the way, you’re helping to shape a celebration that’s stylish, personal, and gentle on the planet. Your green wedding isn’t just a trend — it’s a lasting expression of love for each other and the world you share.

Save on paper and stamps by sending digital wedding invitations through Greenvelope! Each design is customizable, so you can choose your own colors, fonts, and text to match your theme and vibe.