21 Low Waste Wedding Ideas: How to Plan a Dream Day Without the Waste

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Why Opt for a Low Waste Wedding?

First, let’s talk about why couples might opt for a low-waste wedding.

But the good news? It’s totally possible to have a wedding that’s full of joy—not full of waste destined for the landfill.

Whether you’re a sustainability queen or just trying to be more intentional with your budget and impact, this guide is packed with low waste wedding ideas to help you plan a celebration that’s beautiful, meaningful, and a little easier on the planet.

Let’s talk zero waste wedding magic, Savvy Swarey style.

1. Choose a Sustainable Wedding Venue

The best way to reduce your wedding’s footprint? Pick a sustainable wedding venue that supports it. 

Look for spots that reduce environmental impact, including:

• Outdoor wedding venues: Consider a garden, park, or backyard as your wedding venue to reduce the need for heavy décor. Let nature do the decorating for you!
  
• “All-in-one” Venue: Choose a venue that allows you to host everything in one location and is equipped with everything you need for your ceremony, photos, and reception (less travel = fewer carbon emissions).
  
• Local Venues: Skip the sprawling “destination wedding” unless it’s really meaningful. Keeping your celebration local = lower emissions and less guest travel.
  
• Venues with sustainability certifications or eco-friendly practices (think composting, energy-saving policies, or local sourcing)

💡Find a Venue that’s Right for You! → Get the wedding venue selection guide 

2. Small Guest List = Low Waste Wedding

Micro-weddings and intimate wedding celebrations continue to rise in popularity—and for good reason. A smaller guest list = less waste, fewer emissions, and more meaningful moments. 

To keep your guest list intimate, start with your must-haves and work outward. The people who matter most will bring the biggest joy anyway. 

💡Not sure how to scale back? → Here’s my HOT TAKE!

3. Be Intentional with Your Timeline

Stretching your wedding over an entire weekend? Think about how that affects energy, travel, and resource use. Sometimes shorter really is sweeter.

💡Not sure where to start?→ Here’s a great timeline tool!

4. Send Eco-Conscious Invitations

Digital invites aren’t just zero-waste—they’re chic and efficient. More and more couples are opting for email wedding invitations (or at least digital Save the Dates!) over snail mail.

But if you’re set on paper, go with:

• Recycled paper: The Knot offers a recycled paper option on ALL of their wedding stationery (examples pictured above) shop their collection here!
  
• Seed paper that guests can actually plant, like:
  • This platable wedding invitation suite (pictured) from SeventySixStationery.
  • Or, this plantable save the date card (pictured) from MVCreativeMaison
    
• Low-waste options, including:
  • Local printers that use soy-based inks
    
  • Designs with minimalist packaging (no plastic sleeves or glitter, please)
    
  • Skipping the response cards and use your wedding website to track your RSVPs online
    

💡 Want to create invitations that are stylish, sustainable, and low cost?
Read: A Complete Guide to DIY Wedding Invitations

5. Choose Sustainable Wedding Attire

Dresses and suits are a major expense… for a single day. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style for sustainability.

👗 For the bride:

• Shop consignment or second hand bridal shops like StillWhite and NearlyNewlywed
  
• Rent a gown from shops like Rent the Runway
  
• Choose a timeless dress you could alter and re-wear
  

💼 For the groom & party:

• Rent suits or go mismatched with pieces they already own
  
• Shop vintage or resale for shoes and accessories
  

💡 Psst… Here’s my favorite list of Affordable Wedding Dresses that won’t break the bank or the planet.

6. Choose Sustainable Wedding Florals

Flowers are gorgeous, yes—but they’re also a fast track to budget strain and floral waste.

🌸 Here are some low waste wedding flower ideas:

• Choose in-season, locally grown florals
  
• Use greenery like eucalyptus or olive branches
  
• Use dried flowers (like pampas grass or eucalyptus) that can be reused
  
• Rent faux floral arrangements from companies like Something Borrowed Blooms
  
• Use potted plants or bud vases as centerpieces (bonus: guests can take them home!)
  

💡Need help deciding whether to DIY or hire a florist? I’ve got you covered → Read: DIY vs. Hiring a Florist

7. Work with Sustainable Wedding Vendors

Look for vendors who:

• Offset their emissions
  
• Use recycled materials
  
• Support fair trade or small businesses
  
• Embrace zero-waste practices
  

Bonus: Many woman-owned, BIPOC-owned, or LGBTQIA+-owned businesses also prioritize eco-conscious values. Support vendors who align with yours!

💡Need help with the hunt? → Explore my guide to finding budget-friendly wedding vendors!

8. Rent (Don’t Buy) Wedding Supplies

There’s a reason rental businesses are booming: they save you money, time, and storage headaches and keep wedding goods in use longer. (which means, LESS WASTE!)

Consider renting:

• Table linens
  
• Place settings
  
• Candles, votives, lanterns
  
• Ceremony arches

💡Use the Knot’s Wedding Vendor Marketplace to search for rental companies in your area!

9. Go Plant-Based or Local with Your Menu

You don’t have to go full granola with your wedding menu to make a big impact. Even swapping in a plant-based appetizer or dessert helps.

Sustainable wedding catering means:

• Choosing in-season, local ingredients
  
• Reducing meat (or going full vegetarian/vegan!)
  
• Skipping individually packaged snacks
  

💡Looking for sustainable and budget-friendly menu ideas?  → Explore my round-up of affordable catering ideas!

10. Opt for Low Waste Wedding Catering

🍽️ A zero waste wedding menu starts with thoughtful planning.

• Choose a caterer that offers composting, local sourcing, or zero-waste practices
  
• Consider buffet or family-style service to minimize single-use packaging
  
• Encourage guests to bring reusable containers for leftovers
  

💡 Not sure what to do about dessert?  → Check out these Budget-Friendly Dessert Ideas that also cut waste (hint: not everyone needs a slice of cake!)

11. Ditch Single-Use Items

This should go without saying… BUT, to plan a low waste wedding, avoid anything you’ll use once and toss, like:

• Plastic utensils—use real flatware or compostable options instead!
  
• Plastic straws—c’mon, no one needs a straw!
  
• Foam coolers
  
• Disposable tableware (unless it’s compostable)
  

Opt for real plates and glassware when possible. (Mismatched thrifted plates are such a vibe, and also more affordable than renting!)

💡Looking to streamline your tablescape and keep it budget-friendly? → Check out my ideas for plateless place settings!

12. Choose Vintage or Thrifted Wedding Decor

Want to score gorgeous finds with a unique twist? Go thrifting!

From bud vases and candlesticks to mismatched goblets and lace tablecloths, secondhand treasures can give your day charm and character, without the waste of new purchases and packaging.

Start your search at:

• Facebook Marketplace
  
• Goodwill or Salvation Army
  
• Estate sales or flea markets
  

💡And yes—those vintage champagne coupes will photograph beautifully. → Check out my full list of items to thrift for your wedding.

13. Turn Trash Into Zero Waste Wedding Decor

Buying wedding decor is where the landfill potential tends to creep up—fast. But it doesn’t have to! My favorite low waste wedding decoration idea is to transform trash into treasure!

Here are just a few ideas to get those noodles cookin’!

• Repurpose jars into candle holders or floral vases → DIY Jar Centerpiece Guide
  
• Turn wine bottles into dreamy votive candles → DIY Wine bottle candle
  
• Create wedding signs from old windows → DIY Window Seating Chart

💡Want more inspo? → Follow me on Instagram for more upcycled wedding inspiration! I’m constantly sharing new ideas.

14. Rent or Borrow DIY Project Tools

Buying tools, machines, or supplies you’ll use once for wedding DIYs? Not budget-friendly. Ask around, borrow from friends, or rent what you can.

💡Looking for affordable wedding DIYs? → Check out these Dollar Tree Wedding DIYs for inspiration!

15. Skip the Tossing Traditions!

Let’s be honest—those bouquet and garter tosses? Kinda outdated. (Sorry, Aunt Karen.)

Instead, try:

• A special dance with your crew
  
• A group photo op
  
• A thank-you speech or toast

Trust me—you won’t miss them.

16. Choose Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors

Say goodbye to trinkets that get tossed. Instead, try these zero waste wedding favors that your guests will actually want to take home:

🌿 Plantable Seed Paper  → Shop the seed paper hearts pictured from MyecoDesigns!
🕯️ Mini candles in glass jars → Learn how to upcycle Oui Jars into mini candles!
🌸 Flowers, plants, or potted herbs that double as table décor like this genius bud vase idea!
🍯 Mini honey jars → Shop honey jar favors from TheHoneyJarHome!

Bonus points if you package them in reusable or compostable materials!

17. Consider Eco-Friendly Transportation

If your ceremony and reception are at different locations, think about carpooling, shuttles, or even arranging group transportation to minimize emissions.

💡Use the Knot’s Wedding Vendor Marketplace to explore transportation options in your area!

18. Create a Sustainably Focused Registry

Register for items you’ll actually use—or skip the stuff altogether.

• Opt for experiences or cash funds
• Choose eco-conscious retailers that offer sustainable home goods
• Register for reusables: cloth napkins, glass containers, compost bins, etc.

My favorite? Set Up Donation or Charity Registries. Encourage guests to give back. Sites like The Good Beginning allow you to register for charitable donations instead of (or alongside) traditional gifts.

💡Haven’t started your registry yet?→ Start one today on The Knot!

19. Go with Low Waste Wedding Signs

Signage is one of the easiest things to DIY—and to reuse.

🪧 Try these low waste signage hacks:

• Repurpose mirrors, windows, or thrift store frames as sign boards
  
• Use washable paint pens for signs that can be reused again
  
• Create printable signs on recycled paper
  

💡 Find 20+ DIY wedding sign ideas here → Ideas for DIY Wedding Signs

20. Repurpose or Resell Your Wedding Decor

Don’t let your gorgeous décor go to waste!

• Give florals to guests
  
• Reuse signage or table runners for future parties
  
• Repurpose your arbor or backdrop as backyard decor
  
• Reuse or resell wedding items (check Facebook Marketplace or local groups)

💡Thinking about resale? → Check out my complete guide to wedding resale websites!

21. Minimize your Impact After “I Do”

The end of the night doesn’t have to mean mountains of trash.

🌍 Here’s how to end strong:

• Set up recycling & compost bins at your venue
  
• Donate extra food or flowers to local shelters or nursing homes
  
• Offset your carbon footprint by donating to eco-causes or planting trees
  

💡BONUS: Communicate Your Low Waste Wedding Goals

Let your guests know what you’re all about! A little signage or website blurb can go a long way in encouraging guests to recycle, carpool, and appreciate the intentional choices you made.

The Takeaway: A Low Waste Wedding Is So Possible

You don’t have to be perfect to make an impact. A low waste wedding is about making thoughtful swaps, choosing reusables over single-use, and putting intention into your day.

And remember: sustainable choices aren’t just good for the planet—they’re often good for your budget too.

Want more eco-conscious wedding inspiration?

 → ✨ Follow along on IG (@savvyswarey)

 → 📌 Pin this blog & explore my Thrifted Wedding Decor Pinterest Board

Happy low waste wedding planning, friends!