Sustainable Elegance
Sustainable, naturally gorgeous & one stunning backdrop!
Introduction
We can be forgiven for wanting to float off into our dreamworld of idyllic weddings and not considering the environmental impact of our decisions for that one day. However, what if we told you that you could have your “green” cake and eat it; a sustainable wedding with all the latest trends. Sounds good, right?
Cate from Green Gate Blooms, is a Nottinghamshire based florist and grower with a great consideration to the environment at heart. Cate’s mission is to grow, source, and share the joy of seasonal British florals as sustainably as possible.
As well as the gorgeous flowers, Cate was responsible for the concept of this styled shoot involving the most amazing, likeminded wedding creatives. Here's Cate telling us more...
“On reading that the average pre-pandemic wedding produced one-third of a metric tonne of solid waste and 14.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide, I started wondering how much couples considered the sustainability of their dream wedding. As an eco-friendly wedding florist, I think people have a misconception that environmentally friendly weddings only belong outdoors, in teepees and barns. I decided to create a project that would gather local creative wedding suppliers to showcase that sustainability does not have to compromise any couple’s dream wedding. Sustainable weddings can be truly elegant and beautiful.”
“All suppliers were chosen for their proximity to the project. I would encourage any couple to look locally for suppliers. It is an easy way to reduce the carbon footprint of their wedding whilst giving employment opportunities to their local community. I tried to get suppliers on board that had sustainable credentials as well.”
HOW CAN WE BE SUSTAINABLE
Choose naturally sun-bleached flowers and natural colours rather than chemically bleached or dyed flowers.
Use natural fabrics and textiles instead of man-made acrylics for your ribbons and table decorations.
Use edible and local flowers with provenance on your wedding cake to make sure they are chemical free and non-toxic.
Consider re-purposing flowers throughout your wedding to reduce waste (which obviously makes financial sense too!); the church flowers come with you to the venue, and your bridesmaids bouquets form part of the wedding breakfast display.
Directory
Meet the Sustainable Suppliers
Concept & Flowers | Green Gate Blooms | @greengateblooms
Venue | Norwood Park | @norwoodng25
Photography | Tom Wyatt Photography | @tomwyatt.co
Stylist | Hire Twenty One | @hiretwentyone
Dress | Frances Day Bridal | @frances_day_bridal
Hair | Moira Borg | @moiraborgbridalhairstylist
MUA | Lauren Butler | @lauren.butlermakeup
Stationery | Ellie & Liv | @ellie_and_liv_weddings
Floral assistant | Lime Wood Flowers | @limewoodflowers
Ribbons | Bertie & Fred | @bertieandfred
Model | Elsa | @ianandelsa
