Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - March/April 2021 (Issue 85)

GREEN CREDENTIALS We try to be as kind to the planet as possible in our everyday lives and would like to reflect this throughout our wedding. What would you suggest to make a difference? Peta says: Here are just a few ideas to help lower the environmental impact of your big day: ❤ Think about the fabrics you choose as they can be very resource-draining and try to use organic or natural fibres and materials where possible, such as hemp, cotton and linen. ❤ Instead of buying one-off items, reuse decorations you already have or shop for pre-loved pieces. ❤ Choose your venue carefully and look for one with an eco-friendly ethos and practices. Things to consider include solar power, composting, do they grow their own vegetables or source farm-to-table, locally produced food? ❤ When it comes to transport for your guests, organise group pick-up and drop-off points to cut down on car use. ❤ Some couples opt to collect money for their favourite charity rather than receive wedding presents. However, if you do have a gift list, try to select things that can be used and treasured for years to come. ❤ If you’re having confetti, make sure it’s biodegradable but avoid rice as it can be harmful to birds. Instead of scattering fresh petals down the aisle use dried ones recycled by the bridal party from cut flowers in the lead- up to the wedding. ❤ Look for a florist who uses locally produced blooms so they don’t need to be flown in. Consider potted plants or herbs as centrepieces which can then be planted after the big day. ❤ Hand-crafted mementos can be more eco-friendly and make great gifts for your guests too. Peta Panos | Managing director www.enchantedmanor.co.uk Local experts on sustainability and eco-friendly weddings HOT TOPIC SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW I want to not only look great in my wedding dress, but feel good too! I’d therefore like to find something with green credentials but I’m not sure where to start. Can you help? Erica says: Finding a genuinely eco-friendly wedding dress can seem like a tricky business. If your heart’s set on a new dress, then try to find one made in the UK with fabrics carrying the Global Organic Textile Standard or Made in Green by OEKO- TEX label. However, if you’re looking for a pre-loved option, there are eco-friendly dry cleaning companies that specialise in wedding dresses, which you will probably have to have done, especially if it’s been in storage. Original vintage dresses require specialist treatment however and personally, I only use eco-friendly methods. If the vintage look isn’t for you though, a contemporary dress made by reworking old fabrics and gowns is an ethical way of having something unique to you without blowing your budget. Erica Arnold | Owner | www.realgreendress.com www.han alaurie.co.uk THE PERSONAL TOUCH I want my flowergirl and pageboy outfits to be sustainable but how can I achieve this? Dawn says: When thinking about sustainable fashion, it’s important to not only consider what the fabric is made from, but also where it was manufactured and how far it’s been transported. Weddings are all about memories, past and present, so why not honour loved ones and family traditions with your flowergirl or pageboy outfits? You may not want to wear your grandmother’s wedding dress yourself, but it could be reinvented as a gorgeous little girl’s dress. A grandad’s much-loved suit can be transformed to create a cute pageboy outfit too, so that on your big day you can feel close and connected to those that matter most. It’s also a great way of incorporating your something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue ! Dawn Clarke | Designer www.dawnclarkedesigns.co.uk 94