From chic décor to planet-loving guest favours, make your special day a green dream come true with these expert tips.

Event planners and sustainability experts dish out wisdom on the art of conscious celebrations in an exclusive conversation…  In a serendipitous encounter at a beach clean-up event in Mumbai, Nupur Agarwal and Captain Ashwin Malwade found not only a shared passion for the environment but also an undeniable connection that blossomed amid picking up hundreds of kilos of trash. From the very beginning, they envisioned a marriage ceremony that would leave no waste footprint, and this dedication to each other and the planet culminated in a beautiful and eco-friendly wedding celebration in December 2019.  From adopting cloth bags for their shopping sprees to using old newspapers as gift wrap and printing invitations on recycled paper, every decision was a testament to their commitment to the environment. While the decor incorporated refurbished umbrellas and locally-sourced flowers, they replaced the conventional baraat with an entrance on an electric vehicle and made sure to have a dedicated waste management team on site to ensure waste was segregated at source and sent to recycling and composting facilities. Adding a touch of uniqueness, Nupur upcycled her mother’s wedding sari while Ashwin sourced his ensemble from an eco-conscious designer. Both were embroidered with hashtags such as #beatplasticpollution and #climatechangeisreal. As a memorable gesture, they also planted a tree in the name of every guest who graced their special occasion, harmoniously blending love and sustainability. When asked about the most rewarding aspect of their endeavour, Nupur and Ashwin enthused, “Creating minimal waste at our wedding and ensuring that whatever little that was generated didn’t end up in a landfill was the greatest joy for both of us.”  Overwhelmed by the response they received, the couple launched Greenmyna in 2020 to become India’s first sustainable wedding planners and consultants. “Our goal is to make the Big Fat Indian Wedding a single-use plastic-free, low-waste, and carbon neutral event,” they explain. “Living and celebrating sustainably is not just a theme; we wish that it becomes a way of life and people make it an essential element in any wedding, similar to catering, décor, photography, etc.”  The Indian wedding is truly in a league of its own, with couples going above and beyond, drawing inspiration from high-profile celebrity weddings to create their own special day worthy of Instagram fame. However, a significant paradigm shift, exemplified by couples such as Nupur and Ashwin, has emerged in recent years, with sustainability taking centre stage as a crucial guest at these celebrations – and it’s about time! If you think this sounds like a lot of effort, fear not! We’ve conducted extensive research to bring you exciting and doable ways to make your celebration an eco-friendly affair. LOCATION & FOOD

With sustainability garnering increasing focus in contemporary weddings, the key is to look for outdoor venues that are actively adopting eco-friendly practices as they have less environmental impact, according to Devanshi Patel, founder of Shreem Events. “A notable example is Raffles, Udaipur, where we recently hosted Hardik Pandya and Nataša Stankovic’s wedding. It plans its food options responsibly, utilises glass bottles for beverages, employs boats for transportation, and recycles water into lawn fertiliser. The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur and Alila Diwa Goa are two other properties that are making progress in sustainability.” In the realm of culinary delights, locally-sourced and seasonal cuisine helps to significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance shipping and storage. The Mumbai-based planner recommends going for venues that implement farm-to-plate menus: “In our experience, working with hotels that prioritise organic ingredients to offer delicious and sustainable meals has been an intriguing endeavour. This idea is best illustrated by properties such as The Leela hotel properties and The Rajmahal Palace RAAS, Jaipur, and we think more hotels ought to adopt it.” To minimise food waste, consider providing to-go containers for guests to take food home or, better yet, collaborate with NGOs and charities such as Feeding India and Robin Hood Army to donate surplus wedding food to those in need. These arrangements must be made in advance to avoid food spoilage WEDDING INVITES

A delightful fusion of elegance and eco-friendliness, sustainable wedding invites are a beautiful way for couples to start their forever journey with a step towards a greener future.  We spoke with Itchha Talreja, the visionary behind the Mumbai- and Dubai-based Itchha Talreja Designs, on the different ways couples can incorporate sustainability into their wedding invitations. She emphasises, “Digital invites are a paperless alternative that is convenient, cost-effective, and offers creative opportunities for personalised designs and interactive elements. An equally unique choice is seed-paper invitations crafted with recycled material, embedded with seeds that guests can plant, resulting in gorgeous herbs and flowers that leave a lasting impact that goes beyond your special day.” DÉCOR

Going overboard with your wedding decor won’t just increase your waste generation but will also put a significant dent in your finances. The solution to this conundrum? A minimalist theme embracing eco-friendly adornments. Mumbai-based Prerika Puri, founder of To The Aisle, highlights two instances where they created a sustainable wedding mandap: “In the tranquil Gir forest, we adorned a mandap with exquisite macramé, skillfully handcrafted by an NGO based in Ahmedabad. Similarly, in the picturesque landscapes of Manali, we embraced an eco-conscious approach, utilising pine cones collected from the resort grounds over two months, forging a harmonious connection between nature and the joyous celebration.” She believes that floral arrangements and decor hold great importance in a green wedding due to the potential environmental impact of conventional materials. Fortunately, there are numerous eco-friendly alternatives available such as paper, glass, refurbished items and jute, and hand-knit fabrics such as macramé. Additionally, dried flower items such as lotus stems, bajra sticks, cotton ball flowers, and meticulously preserved wooden ‘cups’ (dried flowers with a hard coconut-like shell) go a long way in ensuring minimal environmental harm. Although using materials such as polyvinyl chloride based flex to maintain the aesthetic charm of stages and mandaps might sometimes be necessary, there are strategies to mitigate their impact. Prerika explains, “For one wedding, we partnered with local communities to repurpose flex, using it to waterproof smaller houses due to its water-resistant properties. Additionally, preserving flowers as dry flowers or keepsakes not only creates lasting memories but also minimises floral waste.” GUEST FAVOURS

“Sustainable wedding favours are a great way to encourage guests to adopt eco-conscious practices,” says Chaitsi Ahuja, founder and CEO of Brown Living, India’s first marketplace for sustainable and plastic-free products. She explains her brand’s underlying philosophy: “We believe that sustainable living should be easy, accessible, and affordable. Consequently, our handpicked collection of eco-friendly products not only showcases the beauty and uniqueness of traditional Indian craftsmanship but also contributes to a healthier planet.” Looking for something practical? Consider something such as the Perfect Essentials Gift Hamper, a thoughtfully-curated gift combo comprising personal care and hygiene essentials, complemented by the elegance of a soy wax candle. If you prefer something more decorative, you’ll love the Jasmine Frangipani and Rose Quartz Candle, made using 100% natural soy wax and infused with natural essential oils, creating a sensory delight that enhances the mind and body. A handcrafted Blessing Coin that wishes you abundance and prosperity in all facets of life is the way to go if you’re interested in something more personal. If you want something that symbolises growth and new beginnings, like the one you’re making, a Grow Your Own Microgreens Kit could be a perfectly unique and eco-friendly wedding favour.  While local confectionery remains a cherished choice, you can also consider gifts or donations to charity in lieu of presents, adding an extra layer of significance to your tokens of appreciation.  With environmental concerns burgeoning across the globe, it’s safe to say that eco-friendly weddings have become emblematic of the future. This special time to celebrate love, commitment, and culture comes with ample opportunities for couples to plan a fairytale that raises a toast to Mother Earth. So go ahead and tie the knot with an eco-friendly bow!  Also Read: 5 Mistakes Couples Make While Planning A Wedding