Dialing into Sustainability: 6 Ways to Reduce Waste at Your Wedding

Sustainability doesn't have to be complicated. Discover easy ways to reduce the amount of waste at your eco-friendly wedding (like using a rented, reusable After The Tone Audio Guestbook to capture memories)!

We get it—there’s a lot that goes into planning a wedding. That said, you might not really be thinking about reducing waste on your big day, and we want you to know that’s totally okay! There are already a million things to think about. 

But if you are considering a sustainable wedding, we’re here to help! According to the Green Bride Guide, about 2.5 million weddings occur per year, which equates to approximately 1 billion pounds of trash — that’s a lot!

At After The Tone, sustainability is a pillar of what we do, and we’re here to guide you through some easy, eco-conscious wedding choices you can make to help reduce your carbon footprint and plan your wedding with going green in mind. So, without further adieu, here are 6 easy ways to reduce wedding waste from your favorite audio guestbook. 😇

1. Phone an Eco-Conscious Friend with After The Tone

If you’re looking for a way to host an eco-friendly wedding while still maintaining the integrity of your event (perhaps even elevating it), ditch the traditional guest book for yours truly. We rent and reuse our phones intentionally so that we can say goodbye to adding more plastic to landfills and hello to audible memories that last a lifetime. It just may be one of the coolest sustainable wedding ideas! 

One hundred percent of our vintage phones were sourced and refurbished from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. By renting our phones, we ensure that they are used and reused for countless events (of course, after being vigorously cleaned and disinfected after each use) and not as discarded electronic waste. This approach not only minimizes our environmental footprint but also allows us to share the magic of these vintage devices with many couples and their guests all around the world. 

2. Say Yes to the Pre-Loved Dress

Who says your wedding gown needs to be fresh off the rack? Embrace timeless elegance while staying with your sustainable wedding theme by opting for a vintage dress. Not only does a vintage dress add a touch of glamour to your big day, but it also reduces waste by giving a stunning gown a second chance to shine.

And don’t forget another huge bonus for your eco-friendly wedding: Vintage is totally en vogue! So if you’re considering a vintage gown, you’ve got plenty of stylish options to choose from these days. 

Oh, and one more thing when it comes to attire: there’s always the option to rent! Grooms can consider renting their tuxes and bridesmaids their dresses to reduce their carbon footprint while keeping their bank accounts fuller 💸). The Black Tux and Rent The Runway are two of our favs. 

3. Opt for Florals with a Sustainable Twist

True story: After The Tone co-founder Jacob Yackley, who previously worked as a wedding videographer, once shot a wedding that recruited the magical aesthetic of tens of thousands of white roses. While it was gorgeous, by the end of the night, the staff was filling up huge dumpsters chock-full of roses, headed straight for the landfill.😞

To avoid excessive floral waste at your eco-conscious wedding, consider silk blooms from a vendor like Something Borrowed Blooms. The company is an innovative startup modernizing the wedding flower industry with a unique Rent & Return Floral model. 

Not only do these beauties look just as stunning as the real deal, but they also save couples an average of 70% or more compared to traditional fresh flowers. A more sustainable AND affordable floral option for your wedding? A win-win! 

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Learn more about Something Borrowed Blooms in our recent podcast episode.

4. Go Eco-Chic with Your Invitations and Stationery

Set the tone for your sustainable celebration with eco-friendly wedding cards, invitations, and stationery made from recycled paper. Opting for a stationery company that's committed to sustainability shows that you care about the environment as much as you do about your big day.

Not only that but there are a ton of sustainable wedding vendors to choose from nowadays, which makes it super easy to go green while still maintaining a convenient, smooth, quality experience when it comes to your invites. 

5. Elevate Your Dining Experience with Real Silverware

Plastic cutlery? No, thank you! Upgrade the tablescape at your eco-friendly wedding with real silverware for an elegant touch that's also eco-conscious. Not only does it reduce single-use plastic waste, but it also adds a touch of sophistication to your reception. Kinda like a voicemail guestbook! 😉

6. Go Green with Digital Photo Booths

When considering eco-friendly wedding favors, say cheese without the waste by choosing a digital photo booth experience with companies like Desert Luna. Instead of printing endless strips of photos, the company texts your snapshots straight to your phone for instant sharing and zero waste. It's a modern twist on a classic wedding tradition.

And there ya have it! Six simple ways to go a little bit greener at your sustainable wedding. At After The Tone, our commitment to sustainability isn't just about ticking boxes or following trends. It's about making a real difference in the world. Rotary phones may no longer be a vital addition to every home, but our goal is to make them a source for creating memories at events around the world.

After all, sustainability never goes out of style. 

Book your eco-friendly After The Tone Audio Guestbook for your eco-friendly wedding!