Green Oceanside Wedding
Zero Waste Wedding Tips
If you’re passionate about the environment, here are ways to make your wedding more eco-friendly in Oceanside.
Choose invitations made from recycled paper and select vegetable base dyes. Reduce the amount of paper you use and ditch the inner envelope by having your guests RSVP online. Of course, you could send out evites if you’re not worried about the etiquette police. In San Diego, check out Green Field Paper, creating eco-friendly papers with a purpose.
Find a venue that fits your style so you don’t need to do over-the-top decorations. Use lighting or reusable fabric to add that special touch, but paper tissue products like Chinese lanterns and pom poms should be reconsidered. Also, ask your venue what steps they take to help reduce, reuse, recycle as well as water conservation.
Centerpieces and Decorations
Visit your local resale shop and find fun mismatched vases, jars, and tins to hold flowers that are currently in-season and purchased from your local organic grower. Avoid over Pinteresting your wedding and leave out items like fabric pennants (unless made from scrap material) and disposable tulle. Absolutely NO Balloons. #balloonsblow
Rent washable place settings, flatware, glassware and linens or go for the eclectic look and buy china in all different patterns from a resale store. Don’t forget to consider your barware too as anything thrown away goes into our landfills.
There are local caterers that are paving the way for farm to table cuisine. This means that they’re going the extra mile to make sure that all of their ingredients are locally sourced. O’side Kitchen Collaborative is a leader in eco-friendly catering and supports zero waste efforts by partnering with local farms and food businesses. They divert and rescue fresh produce and work them into their menus! Their goal is to provide the community with clear direction keeping healthy food on peoples’ plates and out of the landfill!
Favors
Consider edible favors like chocolates or caramels, or something that can be planted like seeds or succulents, but make sure to forego the cute packaging, labels and ribbons. Look for handcrafted items like candles made from soy wax, scented with essential oils, or 100% natural handmade soaps.
You could also have a donation station where instead of the guests leaving with a favor, they choose a charity where you’ll donate in their name. So instead of paying $3 for a favor, you’re donating $3 to one of your favorite causes. Check out this “How to” by the Off-Beat Bride.
Recycle
This one seems obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Many venues only have a single dumpster and aren’t taking the time to recycle. This is especially true if your caterer is required to take the trash off-site. Do not assume recycling is being done. You must ask everyone involved and be sure they understand that how we treat the planet is important to us all.
Compost
It isn’t pretty, but approximately 40% of San Diego’s landfill is organic material, including food scraps. This leads to an increase in methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. In contrast, composting this material creates a valuable soil enhancer that replenishes depleted soils, protects against erosion, can replace synthetic fertilizers and helps retain water. Composting our organics protects air, water and soil quality. Learn about composting and more ways to recycle during Oceanside’s Earth Month Celebration.
Estate Jewelry
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something reused. Shopping at estate sales or stores that deal in estate jewelry is a fun way to help the environment. Who doesn’t love a good treasure hunt? Check out our fun boutique and resale stores in Oceanside!
