Your wedding is more than a party. It’s also a great way to showcase your values as a couple and invite others to join in. If sustainability is a priority for you and your soon-to-be spouse, an eco-friendly wedding can help you practice what you preach and celebrate with intention.

Thanks to its energy-efficient initiatives, Atlanta is considered one of the greenest cities in the United States — and the perfect place for an environmentally-friendly wedding. Use this guide to plan a sustainable celebration in the Peach State that honors your love for each other and the planet. 

Eco-Friendly Venues in Atlanta

Atlanta earned its nickname as “The City in a Forest” because it is one of the most heavily forested urban areas in the country. Lucky for you, there’s no shortage of beautiful outdoor venues to choose from! These venues are perfect for eco-friendly weddings because they showcase the area’s natural beauty without needing extra decor. 

Woodlands Garden in Decatur, GA is a great venue for micro weddings and elopements. For larger ceremonies, check out Atlanta Botanical Garden or Smith-GIlbert Gardens in Kennesaw. 

Keep these tips in mind when choosing an eco-friendly venue:

  • Prioritize venues that can double as your ceremony and reception location to cut down on excess mileage.
  • Choose a venue that is centrally located and can help reduce your guests’ travel emissions.
  • Look for venues with big windows, natural light, and plenty of shade to reduce electricity.

Photo from Smith-Gilbert Gardens

Sustainable Wedding Vendors

The vendors you select will also have a large impact on your wedding’s carbon footprint. Instead of hiring different vendors for every little thing, find vendors that can multitask and provide more than one service. This will cut down on transportation costs and can even save you money in the long run. 

Also, prioritize vendors that are transparent about their sustainability practices. If you can’t find information on their website, ask each vendor how they practice environmental responsibility and reduce waste. 

For example, Moonbowls prioritizes sustainability with their plant-forward menu and eco-friendly food packaging. Shean Strong Design uses chicken wire and tape grids in lieu of floral foam. 

Lastly, look for vendors that source their goods or services nearby to reduce transportation costs. Seasonal produce and locally grown flowers are not only fresher and tastier, but they can also help to stimulate your local economy. 

Photo from Shean Strong Design

Environmentally-Friendly Wedding Decor and Accessories

Then there’s everything else: the invitations, the decorations, the wedding rings, and the little details that turn your dream wedding into a reality. If you’re planning an environmentally-friendly wedding, you’ll want to think long and hard about these decisions to avoid generating unnecessary waste — but you don’t have to sacrifice them entirely. 

Try these eco-friendly alternatives:

  • Opt for a vintage engagement ring or buy from an ecologically responsible jeweler. 
  • Choose digital save the dates and invitations instead of paper.
  • Nix favors entirely or go green with succulents or seed packets. You could also plant a tree in honor of your guests!
  • Shop secondhand where you can. 

The devil’s in the details, as they say. Be intentional with your choices and make sure they align with your values. 

Photo from Step by Step Catering

Green Wedding Reception

If you really want to reduce waste at your wedding, focus on the reception. Studies show that the average wedding produces more than 400 pounds of trash — mostly from excess food and single-use dishware. 

A plated dinner can help reduce food waste with an adequate amount of food for each guest. For extras, arrange post-event composting with a local service to give your meal a second life. You can also provide compostable takeaway containers and invite guests to take leftovers home. Choose porcelain or china dishware over single-use plates and cups, and offer clearly marked recycling bins for paper products. 

Registries are another consideration. While it’s customary to create a wedding registry and receive gifts, think about what you actually need and don’t register for items just for the heck of it. In lieu of gifts, ask for donations to your favorite environmental charity like Trees Atlanta, Live Thrive, or Southface Institute. Or, ask for a membership to your local arboretum or community garden. 

Photo from Woodlands Garden

Planning an Eco-Conscious Wedding in Atlanta

Weddings don’t happen overnight, especially an environmentally-friendly wedding. The key is to plan, plan, plan. 

Make a list of every consideration and arrange it in priority order. Do your research on sustainable options for your venue, vendors, and all of the extras. Communicate with your partner early and often, making sure you stay aligned throughout the entire planning process. 

Whether you’re planning a sustainable wedding in Atlanta, GA or somewhere else, we hope these tips help you celebrate with intention.