With 67% of weddings in Canada occurring between the months of June and September, chances are you’ve attended at least one nuptial this summer. If you’re about to get hitched or are planning your big day, we know just how hectic it can get. Between picking the venue, flowers, and catering, tying the knot in an eco-friendly way may not be top of mind. So to help you save time and kickstart your planning, we’ve rounded up five simple DIY and upcycling ideas that check the green box and (bonus!) help keep celebration costs down.
Pop, clink, cheers: Transform empty wine bottles into beautiful centrepieces by painting and decorating them according to your theme or colour palette. Looking to add even more ‘greenery’? The wine bottles also make great vases for your favourite long stem arrangements.
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Image: The Wedding Chicks
Pack it up: Not only are old suitcases the perfect way to inflect a vintage vibe into your special day, they are also a creative alternative to collecting cards at the reception. Use the suitcase as is, or dress it up with some on-theme ribbon and fun lettering.
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Image: Project Wedding
Sip: Reduce the amount of glassware used during the reception by opting for mason jars labelled with your guests’ names. This will (hopefully) prevent people from losing their cups and requesting new ones, resulting in less water used during dishwashing. Bonus: the mason jars can also double as party favours!
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Image: Perfect Wedding
Spell it out: Your wedding day should be all fun and games, right? Use pieces from your Scrabble board game to spell out the names of anything from dishes on your dessert table to the members of your bridal party. This is also a unique option for labelling table numbers and adds a playful touch to the celebration.
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Image: The Knot
Odds & Ends: Although you normally wouldn’t think twice about throwing out wine corks or empty spools of thread, they are worth hanging onto. Use them to create elegant place card holders that truly tie your table setting together. Easy to make and 100% recyclable, they are also beautiful keepsakes for your guests.
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Image: Kara’s Vineyard Wedding
Once the wedding festivities have ended, either recycle your DIY decor or look into local bridal swaps or Facebook groups that will allow you to sell and donate your items to other soon-to-be-brides.
Happy planning!
