A wedding day is a special one, one of the many red-marked days in the calendar that most of us have big dreams about! As soon as you say yes to your sweetheart, you are probably already dreaming about the fun activities which will quickly fill up your calendar! Whether it is hunting for that perfect wedding gown or booking your florist! Needless to say, you will probably be making a lot of wedding-related purchases in the coming months! With so much money being spent and so many products being consumed, making a sustainable decision is not a luxurious decision but rather an essential element while choosing your wedding day products. Luckily enough for you, the future is conscious, and more and more brands are extending products and services which are preloved and well appreciated before they make their way to you! From reselling bridesmaids' dresses to second-hand wedding decor, from preloved wedding dresses to wedding accessories, everything can be easily found, and just as easily passed on!
Today, sustainable wedding planning is a thing, and it's quickly becoming one of the most popular post-pandemic wedding trends. The world of bridal fashion and the wedding industry is equally stepping up in this sector, with practically every industry recognizing sustainability and eco-friendly solutions as part of their business model. Sustainable bridal checklists are a broad topic with numerous interpretations and definitions of what it entails. Wedding accessories and clothes that are made, designed, or sold in an environmentally and eco-friendly manner are referred to as sustainable wedding fashion. Because small steps toward sustainability ensure that society has clean and equitable access to renewable resources that will continue to sustain life, eco-conscious bridal clothing is becoming one of the most popular bridal trends. These environmentally friendly bridal purchase decisions assist to lower the wedding industry's carbon footprint, which is, unfortunately, one of the most waste-producing businesses. As a result, these environmentally responsible wedding options help to sustain the earth rather than harm it.
Practical ways to go “preloved for your wedding day!
Eco-friendly and ethical wedding jewelry: Due to diamond and gemstone mining and the use of precious metals, wedding jewelry has a long history of being hazardous to the environment and people. As a result, choosing ethical and eco-friendly wedding jewelry should be your first green decision for your big day. Going vintage allows you to mix up your approach to finding the right engagement ring while having little or no negative impact on the environment. Consider reusing or recycling a stunning vintage ring that is both distinctive and environmentally beneficial instead of going to the jeweler. Use a family heirloom engagement ring or a one-of-a-kind piece from an estate jewelry store to pop the question. As a more sustainable option, you can melt down the gold and purify it, or use an existing diamond to build a new band. Many wedding jewelry stores incorporate conflict-free and lab-grown diamonds, as well as recycled metals, in their designs. These lab-grown diamond engagement and wedding bands are not only eco-friendly, but they're also cost-effective.
Decorate sustainably: Wedding décor sets the tone for the occasion and incorporates the overarching theme and color scheme into the finer details and special touches. DIYing or going to a thrift store to seek mirrors, signage, candle holders, and other minor details is a great way to keep the decor sustainable. Not only will you be giving your old decor a new lease of life, but you may also come across unique pieces and one-of-a-kind, as well as goods with a backstory. To continue the story, pick whether to give or resell the goods after the wedding. Flowers can be given to local hospitals or elderly homes since who doesn't like flowers?
Sustainable wedding dress: Who says you can't look great on your wedding day while also being ecologically conscious? The bridal gown is often the focal point of the wedding, creating drama and attracting the most admiring gazes and comments. While we appreciate that this is your special day, a worn gown will look just as nice. Look for used wedding gowns at many thrift stores, and you'll be helping to break the fast fashion cycle in the process. The fashion industry has a substantial environmental impact, emitting 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually and producing 20% of global wastewater. These days, there are so many secondhand stores that finding the appropriate garment is much easier.
Wearing a second-hand designer wedding gown breathes new life into an old gown. Many online second-hand designer bridal businesses resell preloved bridesmaids and wedding gowns and have a big database of donated and preloved gowns. Not only are the prices lower than those of a typical boutique, but they can also help you get your dream designer bridal gown for almost half the price. If you like vintage, there are plenty of reputable second-hand bridal stores full of vintage wedding gowns just waiting for you to take them home! A previously worn bridal gown can also be repurposed, whether it's from your mom’s closet or your grandma’s hand-me-down.
Sustainable and reusable wedding invites: Finding eco-friendly wedding invitation suites printed on recycled paper or using alternative materials such as upcycled fabrics, leather, and wood is easier than ever as wedding vendors grow more ecologically concerned. Look for companies who give back to the environment when buying stationery. Many eco-friendly wedding invitation companies even give back to the community by planting trees or supporting free education with every purchase. For the most environmentally friendly stationery, print invitations, programs, and menus on seed paper. Seed paper is a biodegradable substance that sprouts flowers when put in the soil. Many eco-friendly wedding invitation companies provide a variety of bespoke plantable paper goods!
Ethical or reused wedding flowers: Exotic blossoms and freshly cut plants harm the ecosystem. There are some excellent eco wedding floral options available, so you don't have to sacrifice flowers. Consider utilizing potted flowers or plants, such as orchids or spray roses, that may be utilized at home, on a patio, or moved to the garden after the event. Succulent plants and flowers in pots for weddings can be used as wedding decorations as well as favors once the party is over. If you want flowers at your wedding but don't want to squander money, potted plants are a terrific option. If you're going to buy cut flowers, consider ones that are locally produced and farmed sustainably. Seasonal wedding blooms cultivated locally by sustainable wedding florists who collaborate with small local farms or grow their flowers are a terrific step toward sustainability. After the wedding, some sustainable wedding flower sellers may choose to compost the greens, so it's always a good idea to ask the necessary questions regarding appropriate arrangements. If you want to stay away from real flowers completely, how about paper or silk flowers for your wedding day? They will be easily repurposed after the wedding!
Renting or thrift: Traditionally, renting has been regarded as a negative experience. It is viewed as something that only the poor can afford. However, as couples become more open-minded, they can see the significant advantages of renting rather than buying. In essence, you may have a great time at a wedding without spending a lot of money. You can rent a limo and a Gucci suit without breaking the bank. Another advantage of renting is that you can lower your carbon footprint significantly. Wedding gowns can be incredibly costly, and you'll almost certainly only wear them once. So it's pointless to invest tens of thousands of dollars on one. You can simply hire one for a few days instead. Furthermore, renting one allows you to choose a brand that you would not normally be able to purchase. You can also head to the thrift store for vintage china, glassware, and silverware, adding a unique element to your wedding reception table setting! Thrift stores are also full of wedding decor alternatives that you can buy for next to nothing!
Preloved bridesmaid's dress: If you are thinking of buying a second-hand bridesmaids dress or a preowned bridesmaids' gown, it is not only a terrific way to save money, but it's also a wise choice for your friend's wedding. If this is an option available to you, don't be scared to use it. If you are wondering where to resell your used bridesmaid dress, you can find or sell bridesmaid's gowns on sites like Borrowing Magnolia, which sells substantially discounted and used dresses from a popular designer, which might decrease bridesmaids' dress prices in half. After the wedding, you might want to consider reselling the bridesmaid dress to put some money back in your pocket. All you have to do is look for a place to resell your old bridesmaids' gown, and you'll get a decent deal! Because the bridal fashion business evolves every day, there is no need to acquire a brand new bridesmaid dress that you will only wear once. Borrowing Magnolia and other second-hand bridesmaid dress sites will help you find a great second-hand bridesmaid dress. The bridesmaids' accessories are the same. Simply put, consider wearing shoes and jewelry that you already own or borrowing from a sister or friend! And there you have it: your outfit as a lovely bridesmaid is set for the big day while staying within your budget!
Benefits of going preloved!
Of course, there is the feeling of contributing to the bigger good and making a change which is always a good motivator of option for sustainable or preloved solutions, is not the only reason why more and more couples are going preloved for their wedding details, whether it is wedding dresses, flowers or decor! If you've been waiting for a sign as to whether you should buy preloved for your special day or are simply undecided, we're here to help you make that decision. Here are all the reasons why you should go for preloved for your wedding choices!
Huge cost savings: There is no denying that buying something second-hand or preloved can cut down on the price significantly for both parties involved! While you may always keep your bridesmaid gown, it could be a better idea to sell it for cash. If your bridesmaid dress is just sitting there and taking up valuable closet space, selling it for cash can help you reload your bank account. Similarly, you might not be ready to shell out hundreds of dollars for a bridesmaid dress firsthand when you can get something similar from a second-hand store!
You will use it for just one day: While most wedding-related purchases feel like they are for life, chances are that you will only be using them for one day! Even though you plan to keep the bridesmaid dress or your wedding dress as a souvenir, there is a high chance that you are never going to wear it again. Going preloved, you will be making the smart decision of buying it only for the wedding day and detaching from the weight that comes with the purchase.
It’s an environmentally-friendly wedding decision. The bridal gown industry produces one of the biggest carbon footprints compared to any industry on the planet. So selling your bridesmaid gown to another online customer who would have otherwise purchased a brand new dress is a great move. It will be a significant step in reducing the carbon footprint as well as a fantastic environmentally friendly wedding selection. It is perfect for the buyer too as she will probably be buying a new dress ad adding to the consumerism otherwise.
You get to add to the story: Your preloved wedding accents, from the dress that you found in the nearest thrift store to the wedding ring which belonged to your grandmas all come with stories of their own! This makes your wedding day a tapestry of many narratives which come together in a beautiful texture! And the best thing is that you get to add your own story now, continuing the journey!
Environmentally friendly weddings are the way of the future. We all know that weddings generate a lot of garbage, especially because every couple wants their wedding day to be as gorgeous as possible. This increases the desire to buy a large number of products and accessories to make the day more appealing, which contributes to the growth of landfills and increased carbon emissions. From flung paper confetti to food being thrown away and wilting leftover flowers, everything is disposed of without a second thought! Small eco-friendly modifications can have a major impact if you identify as an eco-conscious bride with a conscience who wants to lessen the negative environmental impact of your wedding.
A sustainable wedding with more preloved choices is not completely different and does not take a lot more effort than regular weddings. It just needs a shift of thinking, and things will be easy. Another great thing about pre-loved wedding details is that it comes with their own stories and their journey keeps on flowing ceaselessly! Isn't it cool that you get to wear a pre-loved wedding dress or show off a preloved wedding decor that comes with its journey and adds a unique touch to your special day? This is a feeling you definitely can't buy off at your nearest Target!
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