What Is a Sustainable Wedding?

Modern love deserves a modern approach to celebration — one that’s kind to the planet, respectful of all living beings, and deeply meaningful to you as a couple.

At Sage + Time, we believe weddings should reflect your values as much as your style — and that’s where sustainable weddings come in. But what does that really mean?

Let’s explore what makes a wedding sustainable, and how you can create a joyful, intentional day with a lighter footprint.

Weddings have an impact

A sustainable wedding considers its impact on the environment, animals, and communities — and actively makes choices that reduce waste, emissions, and harm.

That means thinking about:

The materials you use (and what happens to them after)
How far your guests and vendors travel
The food served
Ethical sourcing and fair working conditions
Inclusivity, diversity, and local support

Recent studies underscore the significant environmental impact of traditional weddings and highlight the importance of adopting sustainable practices in wedding planning:

Carbon Footprint: A 2023 report by 77 Diamonds indicates that the average wedding in the UK emits about 14.5 metric tons (15.9 tons) of CO₂-equivalent. Equivalent of Flying round-trip from London to New York nearly 7 times for one person

Waste Generation: According to a 2023 article on Green Union, the average wedding generates approximately 400 pounds of garbage and 63 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Roughly the monthly waste output of a family of 4

Industry-Wide Impact: The Sustainable Wedding Alliance notes that with approximately 250,000 weddings taking place each year in the UK, this results in a total of 3,625,000 tonnes of CO₂ being emitted annually. The same CO₂ as powering 450,000 homes for an entire year

7 Ways to Create a Sustainable Wedding

Choose a Conscious Venue

Your venue choice affects your carbon footprint more than you might think. Look for:

Venues with sustainability certifications
Locations close to most guests to minimise travel
Outdoor or multi-purpose venues that reduce the need for decor or transportation

Tip: Booking local vendors also helps support small businesses and cuts emissions.

Go Plant-Based (Or Mostly!)

The single most impactful wedding choice? Your menu. A fully vegan or plant-forward menu significantly reduces environmental damage.

A 2023 Oxford study found that plant-based diets produce 75% less greenhouse gases than diets with meat and dairy.

And we promise — with creative catering and stylish presentation, your guests won’t miss a thing.

Learn more

Support Ethical & Local Vendors

Ask vendors about their practices:

Where do they source flowers? (local + seasonal is best)
Are garments and decor ethically produced?
Do they use low-waste or digital-first methods?

Sustainable weddings aren’t about perfection — but transparency and intention go a long way.

Ditch Single-Use Décor

Styling can be stunning and sustainable. Try:

Renting or borrowing items
Repurposing ceremony decor for the reception
Using reusable signage, dried or potted plants, vintage textiles
Choosing compostable or recycled materials

At Sage + Time, we love helping couples create designs that look amazing without harming the earth.

Choose Sustainable Fashion

Opt for rented, second-hand, or re-wearable outfits
Support designers who use eco-friendly materials
Keep accessories minimal or meaningful

Even choosing non-leather shoes or upcycled jewellery makes a difference.

Mindful Guest Favours & Gifts

Skip the wasteful trinkets and offer:

Plantable seed packets
Locally made treats
A donation to a meaningful charity
Reusable items your guests will actually use

Inspiration

Offset What You Can’t Avoid

Not everything can be zero-impact — and that’s okay. But you can offset your wedding’s carbon footprint through organisations like:

We'll help you calculate and offset your wedding emissions if that’s something you'd like to include.

What Does a Wedding Planner Do?

Opinion

Planning a wedding is an exciting journey, but it often comes with a whirlwind of decisions, details, and deadlines. Amidst this, you might find yourself wondering: Do I need a wedding planner? To help you make an informed choice, let's demystify the role of a wedding planner, highlighting what they do—and what they don't do—to bring your dream wedding to life.

Think of a wedding planner as the architect of your big day, meticulously crafting each element to reflect your vision. Their responsibilities typically include:

Things to consider

Time Constraints: If you and your partner have demanding jobs or other commitments, a planner can alleviate the stress of managing numerous details.

Complexity of the Event: Destination weddings or events with intricate logistics benefit greatly from professional oversight.

Budget Management: Planners can often identify cost-saving opportunities and prevent expensive mistakes, potentially offsetting their fee.

Stress Reduction: Having an expert handle the myriad components of wedding planning allows you to enjoy the process and focus on the joy of the occasion.

What Doesn't a Wedding Planner Do?

While wedding planners wear many hats, there are boundaries to their role:

Personal Tasks: Planners don't typically handle personal errands like picking up dry cleaning or managing RSVPs unless specified in their contract.

Legal Advisory: They aren't legal experts and can't provide advice on contracts beyond their scope of work.

Unlimited Availability: Planners have multiple clients and set working hours; expecting 24/7 availability is unrealistic.

Conclusion

A wedding planner serves as a guide, advocate, and coordinator, transforming your wedding aspirations into reality. While not essential for every couple, their expertise can provide peace of mind and a polished, seamless event. Reflect on your personal circumstances, budget, and vision to decide if enlisting a wedding planner is the right choice for your special day.

Why Vegan Weddings Are the Future — and How to Plan One Beautifully

As awareness grows around animal welfare, sustainability, and conscious living, more couples are choosing to reflect their values in their wedding day. A vegan wedding isn’t just about the food — it’s about crafting a celebration rooted in compassion, intention, and beauty. Whether you're fully plant-based or simply seeking a more ethical and eco-conscious event, a vegan wedding can be just as luxurious, joyful, and elegant as any traditional celebration — if not more.

Veganspiration

Why Vegan Weddings Are on the Rise

A vegan wedding is more than a trend — it’s a heartfelt choice that’s becoming part of the new standard.

Ethical Living, Beautifully Celebrated

Vegan weddings are a natural extension of a lifestyle that avoids harm to animals. From menus to materials, every decision is intentional — and deeply meaningful.

1.2 billion animals are killed globally each year to cater to weddings and large-scale events – The Vegan Society, 2022

Couples want to celebrate love without compromise, and ethical choices are now widely embraced and respected.

A Smaller Footprint, A Greater Impact

Animal agriculture is one of the top contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Opting for a plant-based menu can drastically reduce your carbon footprint.

A vegan menu can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 60% compared to traditional meat-based catering – University of Oxford, 2018

Cutting out animal products also reduces waste and avoids single-use packaging often associated with meat and dairy transport.

Elegance Without Exploitation

Gone are the days of limited options or bland buffets. Today, plant-based menus are bursting with colour, flavour, and sophistication.

Think:

Wild mushroom risotto towers
Seasonal heirloom tomato tarts
Coconut cream pavlovas
Sparkling wines free from animal-based fining agents

And when it comes to fashion and beauty? Faux silk, cruelty-free makeup, and leather-free accessories make it easy to stay stylish and kind.

Reassurance for the Skeptics

We get it. You want your guests to have a good time — and some might be unsure about a fully vegan event.

But here's the truth: most people won’t even notice. They’ll just remember the amazing food, the gorgeous setting, the beautiful ceremony, and the heartfelt energy of the day. They are here to support you on your special day.

Our wedding was completely vegan, from the welcome drinks, Hog-less Roast, Fried Chick'n Street Food and Hot Chocolate Brownies.

We had so many compliments on our food — some guests even commented that they couldn't believe it was vegan, it was so good!

How to Plan a Beautiful Vegan Wedding

Start with the Menu

Food is the centerpiece of most celebrations. Choose caterers who specialise in vegan cuisine — they’ll know how to deliver flavour, presentation, and creativity.

Find Vegan-Friendly Vendors

Ask vendors about their ethical policies, including:

Makeup artists using only cruelty-free, vegan-certified products
Venues that support vegan-friendly caterers and offer vegan menus.
Bar Service that guarantees drinks are vegan certified

Curate a Conscious Dress Code

Seek wedding attire made without silk, wool, leather, or feathers. Many designers now offer stunning vegan bridalwear, and groomswear too.

Decor & Details that Align with Your Values

From biodegradable confetti to soy wax candles and natural linen napkins — the small details tell your story.

Real Wedding Inspiration

Pin With Us: Explore the Sage + Time Aesthetic

We’ve lovingly curated Pinterest boards full of inspiring ideas, colour palettes, styling details, and real weddings to help you visualise your day — whatever your vibe.

Legal Notice | Privacy Policy