A wedding is one of the most important days in a couple's life, and it's no surprise that many couples want to make it a memorable and special event. However, the traditional approach to weddings often involves a lot of planning, preparation, and consumption, which can be overwhelming, stressful, and expensive. In recent years, a new trend has emerged in the world of weddings - the slow wedding. In this post, we will explore what a slow wedding is, and why it might be the perfect approach for eco-conscious couples like you who want to create a meaningful, sustainable, and memorable celebration.
I'm Bev, an eco-florist and flower grower based on the Durham Heritage Coast, I'm on a mission to help eco-friendly couples like you create meaningful and sustainable weddings. There's plenty more blogs where this came from, so if you need more support to plan your earth-firendly day find my other posts here. What is a Slow Wedding? A slow wedding is a wedding that is designed to be more intentional, meaningful, and focused on the experience rather than the production or consumption of goods and services. It is a conscious effort to slow down the pace of the celebration, to reduce waste and environmental impact, and to create a more intimate and personal experience for yourselves and your guests. A slow wedding can be characterized by a number of different elements, such as: - A focus on local, seasonal, and sustainable food and drink - The use of natural and eco-friendly decor and materials - A minimalistic approach to fashion and beauty - An emphasis on personal and cultural traditions - A commitment to reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact - A slower pace of events, with time for reflection and connection. Let's explore each of these elements in more detail. Local, Seasonal, and Sustainable Food and Drink One of the key elements of a slow wedding is a focus on local, seasonal, and sustainable food and drink. This means choosing food and drink that is grown or produced locally, in season, and in a way that is environmentally and socially responsible. This can involve working with local farmers and producers, choosing organic and fair-trade products, and avoiding food and drink that is imported or packaged in plastic. By choosing local and sustainable food and drink, you can support your local community, reduce your carbon footprint, and create a more meaningful and authentic dining experience for your guests. Natural and Eco-Friendly Decor and Materials Another important element of a slow wedding is the use of natural and eco-friendly decor and materials. This means choosing decor that is made from natural materials, such as wood, paper, or fabric, and avoiding plastic and other synthetic materials. It can also involve using recycled or upcycled materials, such as vintage or second-hand decor. By choosing natural and eco-friendly decor and materials, you can create a more aesthetically pleasing and sustainable environment for your wedding, while also reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact. Minimalistic Approach to Fashion and Beauty A slow wedding can also include a minimalistic approach to fashion and beauty. This means choosing fashion and beauty products that are simple, elegant, and sustainable. It can involve choosing clothing that is made from natural and eco-friendly materials, such as organic cotton or linen, and avoiding fast fashion. It can also involve choosing beauty products that are natural and organic, and avoiding products that are tested on animals or contain harmful chemicals. By choosing a minimalistic approach to fashion and beauty, you can create a more timeless and sustainable look for your wedding, while also supporting ethical and sustainable fashion and beauty practices. Emphasis on Personal and Cultural Traditions A slow wedding also places an emphasis on personal and cultural traditions. This means incorporating rituals, customs, and practices that are meaningful and significant to the two of you and your families. It can involve incorporating cultural or religious traditions, or creating new rituals that reflect the couple's values and beliefs. It can also involve involving family and friends in the wedding planning and celebration, to create a more intimate and connected experience.
By emphasizing personal and cultural traditions, you can create a more meaningful and authentic wedding experience, while also honoring your heritage and values.
Commitment to Reducing Waste and Minimizing Environmental Impact
Another important element of a slow wedding is making a commitment to reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact. This means choosing vendors and products that prioritise sustainability and reducing waste, such as using compostable or reusable tableware, avoiding single-use plastics, and choosing vendors that practice sustainable and ethical business practices.
By committing to reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact, you can create a more sustainable and responsible wedding celebration, while also setting an example for your guests and the industry.
Slower Pace of Events, with Time for Reflection and Connection
Finally, a slow wedding involves a slower pace of events, with time for reflection and connection. This means avoiding a rushed and hectic schedule, and instead creating a more relaxed and intentional celebration. It can involve incorporating quiet moments for reflection, such as a meditation or a nature walk, and creating opportunities for guests to connect and engage with each other.
By creating a slower pace of events, you can create a more meaningful and memorable wedding experience, while also reducing stress and overwhelm.
Why Choose a Slow Wedding?
So why choose a slow wedding? There are many reasons why a slow wedding might be the perfect approach for couples who want to create a sustainable, meaningful, and memorable celebration. Here are just a few:
- A slow wedding allows you to focus on what really matters - your love, your connection, and your commitment to each other.
- A slow wedding is a more sustainable and responsible approach to weddings, which can have a positive impact on the environment and the community.
- A slow wedding can be more affordable, since it often involves a smaller guest list and a simpler approach to planning and preparation.
- A slow wedding can create a more intimate and personal experience, which can be more memorable and meaningful for the two of you and your guests.
- A slow wedding can be more enjoyable and less stressful, since it involves a slower pace of events and a more intentional approach to celebration.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a slow wedding is a wedding that is designed to be more intentional, meaningful, and sustainable. It involves a focus on local, seasonal, and sustainable food and drink, natural and eco-friendly decor and materials, a minimalistic approach to fashion and beauty, an emphasis on personal and cultural traditions, a commitment to reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact, and a slower pace of events, with time for reflection and connection.
By choosing a slow wedding, you can create a more meaningful, memorable, and sustainable celebration, while also setting an example for the industry and your guests.
