Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations: Sustainable Choices for a Greener Wedding
Photo Credit: Talia Nelson Photography
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Hi, I’m Angela! I’m an eco-friendly wedding planner in Pittsburgh who guides couples through making sustainable choices while planning and designing their wedding.
Planning a sustainable wedding? One of the easiest ways to reduce waste from the start is by choosing eco-friendly wedding invitations. These options, which include recycled wedding invitations, plantable seed paper, and digital alternatives, help lessen the environmental impact while adding a unique touch to your celebration. Here’s a guide to choosing eco-friendly wedding invites for your special day.
Why Choose Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations?
Traditional wedding invitations, while pretty, can often lead to considerable waste due to single-use materials, plastic coatings, and shipping-related emissions. Eco-friendly wedding invitations offer an alternative that’s kinder to the environment. Below are some supplier options that are both sustainable and stylish.
Related Post: Why You Should Work with an Eco-Friendly Wedding Planner
Where to Get Sustainable Wedding Invitations
If you’re looking to support a local stationer, search your area for any stationers that consider themselves to be sustainable. While local wedding stationers might not advertise being eco-friendly or using sustainable paper options, they may be more than willing to accommodate requests for this. So if you have your heart set on using a local stationer, reach out to see what sustainable paper alternatives they’d be able to accommodate.
Alternatively, there are plenty of places online where you can find eco wedding invitations. Check them out below!
Eco-Friendly Wedding Invite Options
Photo Credit: Lucid Memories by Delycia
1. Recycled Wedding Invitations
Opting for recycled paper is one of the simplest ways to make your invitations more sustainable. When going with recycled paper, however, be sure to look for 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper to lower the carbon footprint associated with production. Many printing companies now offer beautiful, textured recycled papers that are customizable and look just as stunning as traditional invites. Here are some places where you can find recycled paper wedding invitations online:
Paper Culture (affiliate link)
Eco Tip: To enhance the eco-friendliness of your recycled wedding invitations, avoid embellishments like glitter or plastic lamination, as these can complicate recycling.
2. Plantable Seed Paper Invitations
For a unique and memorable option, consider plantable seed paper invitations. Made from biodegradable materials embedded with wildflower seeds, these eco-friendly wedding invitations can be planted by your guests after the wedding to grow lovely blooms. This option not only reduces waste but also leaves a lasting impression as it grows into something beautiful. Here are some places online where you can find plantable seed paper invitations:
Etsy (affiliate links):
Eco Tip: If possible, look for plantable papers that contain seeds native to your area, as these are more likely to thrive and contribute positively to the local ecosystem.
3. Digital Invitations for a Zero-Waste Option
If you're looking to minimize waste altogether, digital invitations are the way to go. An eco-friendly wedding invite sent via email or an online event platform eliminates paper waste, and many platforms allow for stylish and customizable designs that can match the aesthetic of a traditional paper invite. Digital invitations also make it easy for guests to RSVP instantly, simplifying your planning process and reducing emissions from mailing paper RSVPs. Some great websites for digital invitations include:
Greenvelope (affiliate link)
4. The Hybrid Option
It’s totally understandable that you have your heart set on paper wedding invitations, or perhaps you have some guests who might have difficulty navigating the online invite process. Consider taking a hybrid approach. You could send paper invitations and do digital RSVPs through a site like Minted Weddings or Zola. You might also consider sending paper invitations to only the guests who might struggle with using a digital platform.
Photo Credit: Linnea Marie Photography
Making Your Eco-Friendly Invitations Unique
Adding sustainable touches doesn’t mean sacrificing style or personalization. Here are a few ideas to make your eco-friendly wedding invitations stand out:
Ink Choices: Opt for soy-based or vegetable-based inks, which are less toxic and more biodegradable than traditional inks.
Minimalist Designs: A minimalist design approach can mean fewer resources used overall. Look for elegant, simple layouts that don’t require multiple layers or excessive embellishments.
Eco-Friendly Packaging: If your invitations require envelopes, choose recycled paper options or avoid plastic-lined envelopes that can’t be recycled.
Related Post: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Wedding Décor
Where to Find Eco-Friendly Wedding Day-of Stationery
Many of the websites listed above not only offer eco-friendly wedding invitations, but they also offer eco-friendly day of stationery. From place cards to menus to favor boxes and sustainable wedding signage, there are various ways to carry over the sustainability of your wedding invitations into your other stationery needs!
Related Post: Eco-Friendly Wedding Registry Ideas
Final Thoughts: Small Steps with Big Impact
Choosing eco-friendly wedding invitations, plantable seed paper, or digital alternatives can significantly reduce your wedding’s environmental footprint. By opting for sustainable wedding stationery and thoughtfully sourced materials, you’re taking meaningful steps toward a greener celebration. Not only will these choices reflect your commitment to the environment, but they’ll also create a wedding that’s as unique and beautiful as your love story.
Want to learn more about how to make each element of your day meaningful and more earth-friendly? Check out my eco-friendly wedding planning services here!
Hi, I’m Angela!
I’m an eco-friendly wedding planner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who helps couples plan and design sustainable weddings that are meaningful and true to their values (but still incredibly beautiful!).
Get in touch to learn more!