Picking the perfect date for your wedding day is no easy task. To start, you’ve got to find a date that works for you and your partner, and then match this up with your chosen venue. You’ll also want to make sure that important guests such as your parents or closest friends are free – and that’s before you’ve found suppliers such as a photographer who can make that date too.
With all that in mind, sustainability isn’t often at the forefront of such a pivotal decision. But with awareness of climate change rising, many couples are doing what they can to minimise the carbon footprint of their big day. If it’s something that you’re thinking about, here’s three reasons why choosing the summer season to host your nuptials can have a positive impact on the planet.
Take advantage of the weather
It’s no mystery why the summer months are popular with couples. By opting for a summer date, you stand the best chance of being able to take your photos outside, and avoiding having to have the whole day completely indoors. Especially in the UK, where we’re not blessed with a sunny climate year-round, August is one of the most chosen months for this celebration.
From a sustainability perspective, a sunny month also comes with added benefits. You won’t need to worry about heating the venue and you’ll be blessed with plenty of light long into the evening. Not only does this reduce your energy usage, it can also save money, especially if you’ve opted for a totally outdoor event.
A wider range of flowers
Exotic flowers can look incredibly striking in your photographs, but they come at an environmental cost, as they have to be force-grown for your day, or transported from overseas. However, being sustainable doesn’t mean your floral arrangements have to be boring. There’s a huge range of summer flowers that grow in the UK that are perfect for weddings, so make sure you find a florist who is able to source local blooms.
If it’s likely to be hot on the day, make sure you follow your florist’s advice to keep your bouquets looking fresh. Keeping stems in water for as long as possible and in a cool place will help you get the most out of this important piece of decor.
A greater choice of seasonal food
Your wedding breakfast is a chance to sit down and relax after all the formalities are done and you’re officially married – so it’s important that the dishes on offer suit this momentous occasion. In the summer, you’ll have access to a greater variety of seasonal ingredients, meaning that you can be sustainable without compromising on taste. In fact, especially for fruits and vegetables, they’ll probably taste far superior to the ones you would have had in the autumn or winter months.
To really lean into this, consider your menu carefully, and make the most of the bounty of treats that taste best when the sun is shining. Not only will everything be more delicious, but you’ll be able to reduce food waste too as your guests won’t leave empty plates.
Celebrate as the sun shines
With a bit of luck, you’ll have clear sunny skies to celebrate the start of married life together. By being as sustainable as you can, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy it, knowing you’ve done your bit for the planet.
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