Un-Tainted Love
Love is beautiful, forever and if we are lucky, lasts well beyond this lifetime. With that thought in mind, I want to talk about waste, and the lasting effect weddings have on our beautiful planet, I know its on everybody’s mind right now, but I’m seeing far too much plastic confetti, among other things and it hurts my heart.
I’m not here to preach to you (that’s not me at all) I firmly believe tackling the cataclysmic effect of plastic waste doesn’t involve a few of us making perfect choices, but all of us making a few changes imperfectly. That is the only way we can have a huge impact, weddings are never going to be completely waste free, so here’s a few ideas on how to be imperfectly helpful and some lovely local suppliers to make it a little easier.
Confetti… so this is one that really makes me sad, its unnecessary – I mean confetti is completely necessary, I absolutely love a good confetti shot, but plastic fake stuff? Do people really think that plastic is prettier than real petals? It really doesn’t look as lovely in the photographs. OK, that’s my one little rant over. So, alternatives? Absolutely nothing beats real petals – they waft around more, meaning you get more confetti in your shots, its prettier (in my opinion of course) and because they are natural and its biodegradable, you’re more likely to get your venue to agree to you using it; so many venues are banning confetti now, mostly due to the huge clean up. And it’s even better if its locally grown and dried – The lovely Emma over at Passion Flowers By Emma Spowage creates some of the most beautiful mixes of confetti, she is also creator of some absolutely stunning bouquets, all grown in her own garden here in Essex and not a single piece of floral foam in sight.
Decorations….. this is one place where I think hiring really comes into it’s own. Unless you’re going to use those 16 candelabras, 20 tables and drinks bar over and over again, why not take a look at some of the hire options out there? It’s one of the easiest ways of making your wedding a little more sustainable, an added bonus has to be having someone else do some of the legwork too! Rock the Day not only offer some awesome props, decorations and have some great ideas to give your day that extra something, they also can also co-ordinate your whole day.
If you’re dry-hiring a venue and need to furnish an entire barn, country house or even an outdoor wedding, then Anthology vintage hire is your best friend. If I am looking for set pieces for a photoshoot, then Anthology is my first call.
Dresses…. The big one. Being sustainable doesn’t mean you can’t have the dress of your dream, not at all. Every bride should have a dress, or outfit that makes them feel amazing, but again, there are options, and that doesn’t need to mean hiring a dress or buying vintage, although it could? A sustainable wedding dress could just mean that you’ve given a little more thought to the fabric the dress is made from? Or even where and how it came to be? Rock the Frock for example is always looking at new fabrics and only sells dresses that were made in the country they were designed in, meaning there’s not a sweatshop in sight, have you seen their dresses? They are stunning, some of those could even convince me to get married.
I guess what I’m saying, is that it’s never been easier to be more planet friendly, while still having the wedding of your dreams. I think the trick to this, is asking what your wedding suppliers are doing to reduce waste and the impact on the environment. As for me? As a photographer there really isn’t much waste, even storage lasts me for years, but I make sure not to print anything unnecessary, all my documents are created and filled online. I recycle appropriately, although some of my cameras are over 150 years old – I think that counts as recycling? Yes, I still use them sometimes. However on a more personal level, I do so much more, we have given up as much plastic as the supermarkets allow (I could talk all day about why supermarkets should be doing more to reduce waste) we grow some of our own food, raise chickens for eggs, I am careful where I buy my clothes from and then wear them to death. But most of all, I am careful where I put my money, if my ethics aren’t in line with a store, then not shopping there is the only way to ask for change. Anyway, I have waffled for far far too long, look out for an announcement next week that will make my little heart very happy indeed.
