4 Sustainable Wedding Ideas In Vermont

Especially in a very eco-conscious place like Vermont, the possibilities for sustainable wedding ideas you could come up with are almost limitless. 

This state, and this region in general, is known for the public and average citizenry being very concerned with protecting the local ecology and nurturing the biosphere. 

In fact, that very same clean local ecosystem and the crisp landscapes found throughout the region are probably some of the biggest reasons you’re planning to have your wedding in Vermont in the first place. 

And you can also become part of making this place even cleaner and greener by incorporating some sustainable wedding ideas into your wedding plans! ♻️

1. Sustainable Invitations: Let Your Guests Know What Kind of Thing This Is Going to Be

A lot of people skip this one, but it makes a difference because it makes a statement from the outset and does your guests the courtesy of letting them know what they’re in for. 

This is especially helpful if any of the sustainable wedding ideas you’re planning involve anything outdoorsy or physical, like hiking or a tree planting ceremony. 

It basically just gives those of your guests who might be newer to the concept of a sustainable wedding a chance to prepare and maybe even do a bit of their own research ahead of time. 

Not in a pushy kind of way, of course, but in a “we want everyone to shovel some dirt onto the tree we’re planting” kind of way. 

*Side Note: If you do want to plant some trees here in Vermont, you’re more than welcome to, but try to keep to local species if possible. 🌲

2. Choose a Venue That Values Sustainability

This one is a bit obvious, and you’ve probably already thought of it, but it’s worth elaborating on. 

Here in Vermont, locals cherish the biosphere and ecosystem, as we said at the beginning of this article. 

So, it’s not terribly difficult to find a venue that isn’t trashing the place. 

But you can go farther than that here and find a venue that actually leans into sustainability as a conscious practice and makes it a core value of their business. 

However, these same practices and core values may mean that you’re not able to do something because it is against venue policy, like setting off fireworks or producing a lot of plastic waste with drink cups and such. 

Don’t worry, though, because, in almost all cases, any venues with such a commitment to sustainability will be willing to help you out and hook you up with all the local resources and supplies you’ll need to make your wedding clean and green. 

And they’ll probably be able to draw on their experience to give you even more sustainable wedding ideas than what you’ll get from this article alone.

3. Have An Outdoor Wedding

Yeah, obviously. 

We’re talking about nature and the environment here. 

If you love it so much, why don’t you get married in it? 

But seriously, why don’t you? 

Is there any building or ballroom more beautiful than a pristine natural landscape? 

Is there any more romantic place to say your words and start the rest of your life together? 

Of all the sustainable wedding ideas you could have, why not explore the idea of just hosting your wedding in the Great Outdoors or in a venue that’s within clear sight of it?

Consider a Barn Wedding

By default, most barn weddings are going to be hybrid events (both indoor and outdoor). 

That means you’ll get plenty of access to all those natural sights, smells, and fresh air you crave.  

You’ll also find that most barn venues are located a decent way away from big cities, usually on farms or land which was historically used for farming. 

And that only strengthens their case as ideal wedding venues.

*Bonus: Check out our guide to barn wedding style!

4. Lastly, Consider Heirloom Jewelry

Ever since Leonardo DiCaprio’s 2006 movie Blood Diamond, we’ve known that many diamonds originate from conflict zones, especially in Africa, and that the majority of diamonds in the world are controlled by only a tiny number of companies. 

The most famous of these companies is De Beers Group, which controlled nearly 90% of all rough diamond distribution on Earth from the 1800s all the way up until the early 2000s, when their market control dropped to just over 60% (still putting them in majority control of the global diamond market). 

This one company is almost solely responsible for diamonds becoming the standard expectation in wedding jewelry, with most couples never having purchased any before the company’s existence. 

Another fun fact is that De Beers Group was founded in 1888 by Cecil Rhodes, the man that Rhodesia was named after. 

And in case you don’t know, Rhodesia is what Zimbabwe used to be called back when… you know… 

So yeah, maybe diamonds aren’t an absolute necessity, or maybe you can find some nice heirloom diamond jewelry to avoid buying new ones. 

Either way, you can take steps to ensure (to the degree that it’s possible) that your jewelry is not made of conflict stones.

Why Only Preserve When You Could Cultivate?

Vermont has a reputation as a haven for sustainability and environmental consciousness, and that’s not for no reason. 

It’s kind of what we’re all about here. We love where we live, and we want it to stay beautiful. 

If you’ve read through this article, you’re probably of the same mindset, and you’re definitely welcome here. 

So take the sustainable wedding ideas in this list, choose the ones you like, and keep brainstorming for even more to make your wedding the best experience it can be. 

From giving your guests gardening kits as wedding favors to reserving a space at a farm-to-table restaurant for your reception dinner, there are always more simple little ways to make the world just a little bit better. 💐