7 ECO-FRIENDLY WEDDING DECORATION IDEAS

We all want our weddings to look gorgeous - but at what cost? We have to take responsibility for the environment and make wedding styling choices that will have significantly less impact on the planet. 

Here are my 5 principles to use when thinking about your wedding design and decorations, followed by some practical specific suggestions for materials and styling.

1. Go plastic free

Sort of goes without saying these days but that means no tinsel curtains, perspex name places or acrylic backdrops! Think of alternatives. Things like glass can be recycled and won’t go into landfill.

2. Hire

A lot of DIY Wedding couples think they have to make EVERYTHING, but it doesn’t have to be that way! It’s still DIY if you’re curating handpicked suppliers. You could hire some re-usable backdrops or banners to make your wedding pop…and save a bit of time and effort here and there - always good!

3. Future legacy

Think about what and where the item will be in 50 years - is it easy to biodegrade/rot down if, heaven forbid, it did end up on a scrapheap somewhere? If it's made from natural fibres or materials in the first place this is good; things like wood, cotton, paper and card will break down when left outside in the elements.

4. Re-use

Re-use anything you make or buy in your home afterwards. Create whole wall installations/art displays and use signage in interesting places to remind you of your day and what you achieved!

5. Nature & foraging

Consider how you can use natural materials in your styling. Could you make seasonal wreaths or table runners with foraged greenery, foliage and flowers? Or create hanging decorations from the ceiling intertwining lights and sparkly bits?

6. Paper wedding decoration ideas

Paper tassles and streamers - flat against a wall or strung diagonally across a ceiling over your dining tables?

Paper pinwheels - check out my How to Make Pinwheels online workshop to learn how to make your own and create your own DIY wedding backdrop.

DIY tropical paper leaves - layer together to create a tropical wedding vibe on walls, tables and circular hoops.

These are my 3D marbled stars that I make as a wedding stylist for my private clients. Drop me an email to enquire about orders which can be made in any colourway to fit your wedding theme.

Tissue Paper Pom Poms - easy to make if you’ve got a bit of time!

7. Fabric wedding decoration ideas

Ribbon decorations (the more natural and un-treated fabric the better!)

Fabric tree wrapping! Wrap any trees that will be in and around your venue in fabric or ribbon (this one is by one of my favourite installation artists, Yayoi Kusama).

Wool pom poms; either make yourself or buy and string into garlands or hanging threads to create a backdrop.

Gorgeous table plan by Gloam

Consider fabric banners instead of Perspex or Acrylic - either buying from a specialist supplier and keeping as a memento, or making yourself.

Fabric bunting - it doesn’t have to be twee! Check out this Sailor Jerry alternative wedding bunting I created for a wedding couple a few years ago…

Fabric streamers are so versatile. Think about hanging vertically and horizontally across a ceiling…then re-using your backdrop on your lounge wall afterwards!

This is just a taster of some of the decorations and styling elements you could consider. Also think about wood, plaster, cork, rubber and metal! Get in touch if you’d like a POWER HOUR consultation to help you bring all your wedding styling requirements together in a handy plan. Or visit my Wedding Styling Services page to see how I can help you decorate and style your wedding.