Once upon a time, there was a big-budget wedding at a pristine Himalayan destination that made news for all the wrong reasons. For the magnificent mountains, it was not a fairy tale ending, as the four-day celebration left behind a trail of garbage that changed the face of its landscape into that of a dumping ground.

Weddings, even the small budget ones, generate a huge amount of waste over a short period. But waste left behind is only a small visible remnant of an event that should be celebrated with love, care and thoughtfulness.

We gaze at the bride looking radiant in her designer outfit, we talk about the grand affair, with exotic flowers, elaborate decorations, fancy lights and customised food menu, and wonder how much it cost the family. We are completely unaware of how much it cost the environment, the amount of food that will go waste, décor that will end up in landfills, pollution caused by generators and fireworks, or even if the task force putting the pieces of this celebration together is fairly treated or not.

A marriage celebration is a very special affair. When building the blocks of a beautiful bond, extend that joy to people and the environment around you, so you can carry their blessings into your future.

Here are some points to consider, when planning your wedding. We understand that you want to do it your way but we guarantee that adopting an alternative for even a few of these will make you feel a whole lot happier.

1. Venue – Whether you decide on a destination wedding or choose to paint your own home town red, try to select a venue that supports sustainability. Know more here.
2. Guest List – Why is it necessary to invite your second cousin’s, neighbour’s Aunty’s boss? It’s your special day to be shared with friends and family who wish you well. Keep it intimate and loving.
3. Invitations – Reams and reams of paper are used in invitations and event collateral. These, if not ethically sourced or responsibly disposed of, can take a heavy toll on the environment. Here are some very simple ways in which we can create the best impression on our guests by drastically reducing the negative impression on the environment.
4. Wedding Attire – Do you really want to spend a chunk of change on an outfit that will most probably be worn only once and is most likely to sit in a box at the back of your closet for ever after? Don’t be old fashioned, join the new age sustainable fashion movement!
5. Décor – Although most décor is reusable, avoid thermocol and plastic. Consider embellishing your event with traditional art and handicraft that not only support local artisans but also make your ceremony stand apart from the rest.
6. Food – Be mindful of what you are serving – go local rather than using ingredients that have to be flown in from far-away lands. Avoid single-use plastics in serving food. Plan with care to avoid wastage. Leftovers can be donated to NGOs.
7. Giveaways – It’s always a good idea to choose options that are earth-friendly and would support local artisans or entrepreneurs. Avoid packaging altogether if you can, if not make the packaging into part of the gift with innovative solutions like using cushion covers instead of wrapping paper or hand-crafted boxes that can be reused.

Celebrate your happiness responsibly, without marring it with bad wishes of the people who are not attending. Ensure you are not causing traffic congestion or disturbing others with loud music till late in the night.

Fortunately, more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of sustainability when solemnizing their vows. Get inspired by other progressive couples who started their happily ever after with a happy beginning.