wildlife-friendly paper product alternatives
go paperless with e-vites
Email your save-the-dates and invitations. It saves trees and wildlife from deforestation, and people are less likely to lose them. Many couples also use wedding websites, which include easy, online RSVPs that avoid the challenge of people who forget to mail back the paper card.
CHOOSE recycleD PAPER
If you have your heart set on sending invitations through the mail, choose 100% recycled paper products. Instead of having an elaborate multi-piece invitation with various paper products inside, opt for something simpler by consolidating important information on one card or supplying a QR code or website link so your guests can stay updated.
send an invite they can grow
A fabulous and wildlife-friendly alternative to traditional paper wedding invites are plantable ones. There are hundreds of online companies that can design and print gorgeous and unique invitations on fully compostable paper embedded with seeds — so instead of tossing the invitation into the trash, guests can plant it and watch the flowers grow. Just make sure the seeds are native to your region.
One study found that gardens with native plants can attract up to five times the number of butterfly and moth species compared to gardens with nonnative plants.
biodegradable place cards
If you’re assigning tables or seats, place cards are hard to avoid (and they can be useful to indicate to servers what meal guests have selected). Get creative and use natural materials like leaves, shells or rocks — or reusables like olive oil bottles or photo frames with guest names written on them.
signage
Use signs instead of individual paper programs and menus that just get left behind. There are many ways to do this creatively with thrifted chalkboards, mirrors, old vinyl records, repurposed windowpanes and other unique reusable items. Afterward you can choose to offer them up to your guests, donate or sell them, or keep them for future events.