Eco-responsible weddings are rapidly increasing in popularity and it isn’t difficult to understand why. Couples save thousands on decorations and they can reduce their carbon footprint at the same time. Are you looking to embark upon a sustainable wedding journey? We have some great tips to get you started. 

The location, the first element of decoration
 

Location, location, location. It is where every wedding related decision begins. The right choice can set you miles ahead in your wedding shenanigans. A wedding location in a beautiful natural setting like a park, next to a river or in the mountains, will need fewer decorative elements. When the location speaks for itself, it means a lot less hassle for you and a big tick of your eco-responsible wedding to do list. 

It’s also a good idea to ask potential wedding locations if they have decorative elements available for you to use. This is a great way to save on all those decoration costs and it’s reassuring to know that you are working with a wedding location that has the same eco-responsible priorities as you. 

Are you thinking of organizing your destination wedding in Provence? A winery for example, can put tables, chairs and large barrels at your disposition. All you need to appropriate these elements are some beautiful, dried flower petals and vine leaves. There are so many options: classic rose petals, a mix of wildflower confetti and our dried peony petals. We love the peony petals for their extra-large size and their rich shades, a perfect match for wood and foliage. It’s a fantastic way to give your wedding an original vibe. 

Decorative elements from nature

• A sustainable wedding is all about nature. There are many ways you can integrate nature into your wedding decorations: 
• It’s all about wood. Unprocessed wood, raw wood, driftwood. Pick your favourite and use them as stools or coffee tables at your wedding. 
• Eco-conscious wedding linens. Our favourite wedding fabrics, linen and cotton, are perfect for your tablecloths and napkins. They are made of natural fibres and provide an authentic and pure touch to your wedding. You can also check for fabrics that are produced responsibly or perhaps you can recycle fabrics from thrift shops or family members. 
• We can’t help it. We love nature and plants are a wonderful way to decorate your wedding location. Hang lanterns filled with dried petals, from wooden branches for example. We love our Paula Fay peony petals, a dazzling pink, for all of the sweet, romantic vibes. Looking to make a statement? Pick our deep red Karl Rosenfeld petals. 
• Your table setting can also be eco-responsible. Opt for terracotta, bamboo or palm leaf tableware (disposable but also biodegradable). We also recommend using beeswax candles, leaves and dried flower petals (rose, peony, hydrangea, iris etc.) for your table decoration. Play with textures and colours. Silvery green olive branches combine perfectly with the soft pink of our Sarah Bernhardt confetti. The large size of our petals and their rich colours are great for decorating big tables.

Vintage and second hand

Eco-responsible wedding decorations can also involve recycling old objects and furniture. Give them a second life and transform them. They will give your wedding loads of character!

The attic of your family home can be a real treasure. Look for antique iron chairs, a pair of armchairs that will look fabulous for a photoshoot or even old lace that’s destined to be reused. 

For the destination wedding brides, a flea market or thrift store in the surroundings of your wedding location is the perfect place to source unusual objects like: 

• Old school benches, perfect for a large wedding table 
  
• Lanterns and candlesticks, to brighten up the evening 
  
• Screen doors, which can be renovated and decorated with flowers and dried leaves 
  
• Old fashioned porcelain, perfect for your wedding tableware and a good match with our Duchesse de Nemour confetti
  
• Long transparent vases, which you can fill with dried petals (just have a look at our different colors). 

What about the outfits?

 
Yes, even the dress code can have a sustainable impact and it can be just as important as the decorations. 

You can decide to make your wedding outfit yourself if you have been blessed with the sewing gene or you can entrust a local professional seamstress. This is a great way of supporting local craftsmen who have really suffered from the global pandemic. 

You can also buy your wedding outfits second hand on sites like Vestiare Collective or Vinted. They have a beautiful selection of pieces and choosing the right designer piece means you can wear your wedding outfit more than once. 

At Pétales de Provence we love upcycling. Diving into the closet of a family member and appropriating their pieces to your style is a beautiful way of adding a sentimental touch to your wedding and keeping your conscious eco-clear.