East Winter Garden
Wondering how to make your marriage more sustainable? From choosing an eco-friendly wedding venue to using catering consciously, discover our top tips for giving your wedding reception a sustainable twist.
March 18, 2022
to share Weddings are one of the happiest occasions on a couple’s calendar. But according to reports, wedding ceremonies and receptions can also have a big impact on the environment — and not in a good way.
From excess food to the carbon footprint of guests, it is believed that a wedding can produce up to 20kg of plastic waste.
On this World Recycling Day, we wanted to share some tips on how to plan a sustainable wedding.
- Choose your location wisely
The venue you choose for your wedding ceremony and reception is key to making your big day as sustainable as possible.
Our East Wintergarden site has exceptional green credentials. Owned by Canary Wharf Group – the UK’s largest sustainable developer – our flexible, modern and stylish event space has an unparalleled sustainability policy that promises zero waste to landfill and zero single-use plastic.
Moreover, we have already started our net zero journey. In fact, we are on track to become a net zero site by 2030.
- Location, location, location
Location is everything when it comes to organizing a lasting wedding. How will your guests attend your big day? Although cars or taxis may be the most attractive way of getting from point A to point B, we have excellent public transport links on the doorstep.
This allows your loved one to access our site via the Canary Wharf Jubilee Line, the Docklands Light Railway and soon the Elizabeth Line, the new railway currently under construction by Crossrail Ltd. Additionally, we have six bus routes that run through Canary Wharf and a river bus. For guests planning to share the journey by car, there are 6,000 parking spaces within the Canary Wharf estate.
- Use local businesses
Environmental sustainability isn’t the only benefit you can enjoy at East Wintergarden. By renting our unique venue for your reception or wedding ceremony, you can support an entire ecosystem including many local businesses that benefit socially and economically from the events taking place. Whether it’s floral arrangements, decor, or tables and chairs, we have an array of local suppliers that we can highly recommend for your special day.
- Restoring with a conscience
It used to be that food was one of the most useless by-products of a wedding. But don’t just take our word for it. In 2017, supermarket giant Sainsbury’s revealed that around £500 worth of food at weddings ends up in the trash. With 15% of all happy couples surveyed saying they’ve thrown away at least a third of their wedding cake. Fortunately, times have since changed.
At East Wintergarden, we work with a number of award-winning, sustainable caterers who all prioritize quality, without sacrificing flavor. Whether it’s sourcing local produce, serving vegetarian dishes or preparing a vegan wedding breakfast. All of the above have less impact on the planet.
- Consider digital invitations
Get your guests on the same page as you by trying to create your own wedding website. It’s a convenient way to keep your loved ones informed, track your RSVPs, and keep all your “wedmin” in one place. But maybe the best thing? This will reduce paper waste when it comes to menus, save appointment cards and invitations.
However, wedding websites are not for everyone. A more traditional way to be kinder to the planet is to use eco-friendly wedding stationery designers.
- Use seasonal flowers
We love a beautiful floral display as much as the next bride or groom. But instead of getting flowers from everywhere, which are not seasonal, use what is already in bloom at the time of your reception or wedding ceremony.
And don’t forget to use a sustainable florist who grows to sustainable standards.
- Invest in sustainable decoration
Who says planet-friendly decor has to be boring? Not us. We know that lighting can make a big difference in the look of your wedding, civil partnership, ceremony or reception.
But here at East Wintergarden, we have renewable lighting that can help you shine all day long. We also work with a list of top decoration suppliers who seek eco-friendly practices and reusable materials to help make your wedding day unforgettable.
Whether you’re hosting a wedding ceremony, wedding reception, religious ceremony or unique wedding, we can help give your big day a green glow. Drop off the events team and email to find out more.