Yes, This Is an Article on How to Have a “Green” Wedding

But we’re all about breaking tradition

By Isabella Aranda Garcia

Artwork by Marisa S White

Even if you got married decades ago or have vowed to never get married, you probably know that “green” weddings are a thing.

There are millions of articles on how to “green” everything, from venues to invitations, for that perfect eco-friendly wedding. But we’re not going to suggest asking your guests to drive three hours and hike into the middle of a forest to reduce carbon emissions, or swapping out all your plastic straws for bamboo ones, which still contribute to waste. Instead, we’re here to give you some fresh ideas on how to create a planet-friendly wedding.

Something old

Who knew Grandma’s dress could be so cool?

One of the first things—if not the first thing—a bride thinks of when planning a wedding is the dress. In fact, they’ve probably had a Pinterest board filled with photos of stunning gowns for months, if not years. And while no one will judge a bride for buying a brand-new dress, there are many ways to don a beautiful gown and be sustainable.

According to 8 Billion Trees, which offers a free carbon footprint calculator, the average carbon emission for a wedding dress (making and shipping) is 22 kg of CO2e. To put it into perspective, that’s the equivalent of a 56-mile car ride. For a more eco-friendly gown, consider remaking an old one.

“A lot of clients are coming to me with their grandparents’ or parents’ pieces and asking me to turn them into something they would like and they would wear,” says Isa Kriegeskotte, tailor and owner of Tailored & Made in Bedford Hills, who tailors vintage gowns to fit the new bride

“That’s always a fun challenge for me, and usually it’s fun to work with clients in that capacity because they get to be creative.”

For brides who don’t have a passed-down gown to work from but don’t want to buy new, their closet could hold the key.

“I’ve done that with clients before,” says Kriegeskotte. “We’ll kind of go through their clothes, and they’ll try on items they haven’t worn in a long time. Or, we’ll mix pieces they wouldn’t have thought to mix with other pieces. Just because something’s old doesn’t mean it doesn’t work anymore.”

This approach worked for a bridesmaid in Lauren Brois’ wedding party, who reused a dress that fit the color palette. Brois serves on the advisory board for Bedford 2030 and was dubbed the “eco bride” when she married on October 25, 2024.

“The boys didn’t even rent tuxedos,” she explains. “The groomsmen wore navy blue suits they had at home.”

You can take this one step further by challenging your guests to wear “something old,” “something meaningful” or “something that inspires them.” Then encourage guests to ask each other about their favorite memory when wearing their dress or suit. It’s a great icebreaker that also helps the environment (bonus points for you).

Something new

Because your sister’s two-year-old wedding bouquet isn’t going to cut it.

As much as any couple will try, not everything can be old. There’s the bridal bouquet (old, dried flowers just won’t do), the food (gross) and even party favors. But, with a little creativity, they can still be sustainable.

Ironically, flowers come with a significant environmental cost, from the water needed to grow them to the carbon footprint of shipping them. Plus, they don’t last very long once cut; it’s pretty sad. If you’re looking for a bouquet that lasts, how about going the wooden route? Hear us out here—some wooden bouquets look so real that, unless you get up close, you’d never know. Plus, wood or even paper flowers can be donated, rented or passed down to future generations. It’s all about keeping waste at a minimum.

Speaking of keeping waste at a minimum, the traditional confetti thrown as the bride and groom walk back down the aisle after saying their vows, although fun, is often unnecessary litter. Many confetti options are made from non-biodegradable materials like plastic, which harm wildlife and contribute to waste. Brois opted for a more compostable option.

“We had our guests throw sage, thyme and rosemary instead of confetti that was thrown at the end of the ceremony,” Brois remembers. “The herbs are plant matter and therefore biodegradable.”

When it comes to the food, there are two things to consider: how it’s prepared and what to do with the leftovers.

“There’s a hunger for eco-friendly options with locally sourced catering,” says Ben Fain, owner of the carbon-neutral venue The Caboose Hudson in Hudson, NY.

His venue comes with its own chef, Nicole LoBue, who Fain says is enthusiastic on the topic. (“Obsessed is an understatement.”) LoBue prepares meals using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients in an all-electric kitchen. 

After everyone is done with their meal, prevent food waste. Brios, who served a buffet from Purdy’s The Farmer & Fish, had the leftover food packed up and handed out to guests and staff.

Moving on to party favors, why not combine sustainability with sentiment? Instead of the typical plastic trinkets, get creative with eco-friendly gifts that leave a lasting impression.

Consider heart-shaped seed paper favors—they’re a beautiful and an environmentally conscious gesture that guests can plant in their gardens, adding a personal touch to their experience. For a little extra sweetness, pair these with delicious homemade chocolate or artisan bath bombs, creating a multi-sensory gift that’s both indulgent and sustainable. And to stick with the ephemeral favors, limoncello can be a fun, locally sourced addition—just make sure to choose a glass bottle that can be reused or recycled.

Something “borrowed” (or donated or given away)

Party on a train, anyone?

We’re using the term “borrowed” loosely here ‘cause when it comes to weddings, why not spread the love?

For all the goodies you probably won’t be needing again, choose to donate. Whether its unique wooden flowers or local blooms, you can spread the love by donating them to places like cancer treatment centers or homeless shelters. You can also give away the decorations to help these organizations host events, such as fundraisers—just be sure to call first and check if they have any upcoming events.

But other things are worth holding on to. For brides who bought a new dress (or repurposed one), the sustainability story doesn’t end with “I do.” Keeping it for the next generation to borrow is an excellent way to continue tradition.

“Clean it, preserve it, save it,” says Kriegeskotte. “Taking the time to take care of it and save it, potentially for a future event or family member, is a nice way to honor that.”

Sustainability isn’t all about what stays or goes—it’s also about how everyone gets there. One of the biggest environmental impacts of any wedding is travel. So why not make the journey part of the celebration? “Borrow” a party bus or hop on a group train ride to kick off the fun before the festivities begin.

Something blue green?

Without having to be in the forest

And finally, let’s talk about the venue. Instead of a forest, you can still opt for an outdoor wedding. For her wedding venue, Brois chose Hilltop Hanover Farm, a historic site with a beautiful backdrop for a sustainable celebration.

“They do a ton of work in not only native planting and preserving seeds, but also planting for donations to food pantries,” says Brois.

When possible, finding a venue that’s carbon neutral, like The Caboose Hudson, is ideal. Fain repurposed a former coal barn (still marked by its blackened beams) into a modern 3,500-square-foot event space. Like most of the other historic properties he’s converted, it’s solar-powered and features triple-pane windows and under-slab insulation to conserve energy.

“Weddings are a celebration of true connection,” says Fain. “They remind us to appreciate our relationships with each other and the world.”

Every small effort adds up to a celebration that’s meaningful and mindful.

“When we’re considering sustainable actions, we get lost in the weeds, right?” says Brois. “I struggle with this myself. Change is really hard.”

Sure, wearing your grandma’s dress, holding wooden flowers and getting rosemary tangled in your hair might not be exactly what you pinned to your Pinterest board, but weddings evolve just like we do. The unexpected and unique details are what make the day special, and embracing sustainability just adds another layer of meaning.

This article was published in the March/April 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.