Eco-friendly weddings are for those who believe in working together with and protecting the environment. If you care about the planet, why not integrate your principles into your big day?

An eco-friendly wedding is not as easy to pull off as any other kind; it requires knowledge of the right sort of wedding supplies, and most of all, places and people to get these from! In addition to being considerate to the environment, eco-friendly weddings also fall into the budget category, and could save you a lot of unnecessary expense.

With our eco-conscious brides in mind (and we know there are many of you), here are our top tips on achieving a green wedding in the UAE.

Flowers: It’s best to go local and seasonal with your flowers. Blooms that are not in season have to be imported. Another alternative would be to use dried or silk flowers, which can equally enhance your wedding. This will not only reduce the cost of buying imported flowers, but also lowers the carbon footprint.

Source: Enchanted Bouquets Paper and Handmade Fabric Wedding Flowers

Wedding Venue: Choose a natural outdoor location as your wedding venue. Include the reception and the wedding ceremony at the same location, this will reduce the energy required to move your guests from one place to another. The sites’ natural décor in itself might be a great asset and supply the ideal backdrop for your big day.

Catering, food and drinks: Use organic foods where possible and opt for locally sourced produce. Local produce; and seasonal smart-sourced seafood need not be the only items on your menu. Locally farmed meat, cheese and many other food choices can be served up to your guests, without causing any harm to the environment. Donate any leftovers; there are plenty of charitable initiatives in the UAE who will gladly assist in helping you do this.

Eco-friendly invitations and print items: Save- the- dates, wedding invitations and all other print items can be printed on high-quality recycled paper using eco-friendly soy or vegetable ink. You could also send out digital save- the- dates and wedding invites, in turn, saving paper. Another option is to create your own wedding website with an RSVP functionality, to keep track of guests attending your event and in turn, avoiding paper RSVP’s.

Eco-friendly wedding gowns: The latest trend in wedding gowns is the usage of earth-friendly materials such as organic cotton, bamboo or even hemp. Some designers specifically use these materials to design their entire collection. You can even use an heirloom wedding gown saving hundreds of dirhams. Vintage gowns are very popular these days; and can be easily transformed to suit your taste; make it shorter or add a stylish sleeve to add a touch of your own personality.

Try to find bridesmaids dresses that are not only eco-friendly, but the kind they really will wear again. Allowing your bridesmaids to choose their own dresses (using your preferred colours and materials) means they are more likely to wear their garments again and again.

Wedding Décor: Why not try some DIY and up-cycle old bottles and jars to use as candle holders or vases? You can also use eco-friendly floating lanterns supplied by Dubai based ‘Glowskies’ to bring an added element of WOW to your big day.  Illuminate your tables and add a romantic touch, using Le Vela ‘eco friendly’ candles, made right here in Dubai.

Source: www.weddingwindow.com                       Source: Glowskies, Dubai

Eco-friendly wedding bands: Use light metal or eco-friendly metals with ethically sourced stones to adorn your finger on your wedding day. Pre-owned or re-worked bands are a great idea, as they use fewer natural resources.

Eco-friendly wedding favors: Organic, locally produced chocolates, small potted plants and handmade products, can be the ideal green wedding favours for your guests. Purchasing favours and gifts from a creative market; and local artisans can be a real treat for your loved ones too.

Organic beauty:

Skeptics may question if organic beauty products and services have the same effect as chemical solutions.

Leena Abbas, owner of The Organic Glow Beauty Lounge, Dubai claims “nothing is more beautiful than the natural glow of happiness that becomes every bride”!

“The last thing that an eco-savvy bride needs is chemical-based beauty treatments and products that can cause a host of skin reactions,” she says.

“Luckily, women here and around the world are starting to become more aware of the importance of toxic-free living, including switching to natural beauty products and treatments”

Go green with your beauty regime in the lead up to your big day.

Source: The Organic Glow Beauty Lounge

Eco-friendly honeymoon: Opt for a local honeymoon destination. There are plenty of stunning locations around the UAE, which requires minimal travel; and offers optimal rest and relaxation for a newly married couple. We recommend the 5 Star Al Maha Desert Resort in Dubai UAE, which is the only accommodation in the Dubai Desert Reserve and is an eco friendly resort.

Source: www.fivestaralliance.com

Transport: Always remind your guests to carpool to reach the wedding venue or use the local transport facilities as these will contribute hugely towards protecting the environment from harmful emissions.

We hope that this guide sheds light on many of your queries related to organising and preparing for an eco-friendly wedding, right here in the UAE. Even if you consider just a few of our tips, every little helps.