wildlife-friendly extras
sustainable sendoff
Confetti makes for a cool photo op, but it needs to get cleaned up so it’s not consumed by wildlife. Releasing balloons and lanterns can also have disastrous consequences for wildlife because there’s no way to control where they land to retrieve them.
If you decide on a sendoff, go with a litter-free version, like having guests wave ribbon wands or blow bubbles. Birdseed is a much better alternative to rice, which isn’t safe for birds (but check with your venue first before throwing anything). Even better? Have guests toss something biodegradable like flower petals or fallen leaves.
pets
It’s become more and more popular for couples to include their pets in their wedding day. If you do, be sure to keep your pet on a leash so they don’t run off and disturb local wildlife, and always pick up after them.
educate
If you’re having your wedding at a nature center or some other venue that has education interpreters on staff, see if they are available for your event so your guests can learn more about wildlife.
share some fun facts
Let your guests know about the wildlife-friendly choices you’ve made and what their impact is. This could be a shoutout on your menu sign about where your food came from. Include a sign on the buffet line about how much water and forest was saved by selecting a vegetarian menu.
play tour guide
On your wedding website, include a map of places you recommend your out-of-town guests check out so that they can plan the most convenient place to stay. Then share information about the best ways to get around your city with public transit, bike shares, etc. This allows you to highlight your favorite natural sightseeing destinations while helping your guests reduce their travel footprint.
volunteer
Instead of the traditional night out for bachelor(ette) parties, volunteer to do habitat restoration, a park cleanup, or help out at a wildlife rehabilitation center with your friends. It may not seem as exciting as a big night out, but the novelty and shared effort will be fun, refreshing and extremely rewarding. And give you and your friends a chance to spend some unique quality time together that you may not have spent otherwise.