Top Tips for an Ethical Wedding
Photo credit: Jeremy Wong Weddings
Planning weddings can be a stressful time to say the least, particularly in the current challenging circumstances. There’s so much to keep track of, and it can be quite overwhelming. With all this considered, it’s understandable that the idea of an ethical wedding can seem like a luxury – an extra hassle that you could do without.
But an ethical wedding is actually easier than you think. A perfectly ethical wedding may be out of reach, it’s true, but there are still simple and achievable ways to reduce your wedding’s impact on the world around you. Here are our top tips.
Ethical jewellery
It may not immediately spring to mind as an area of ethical concern, but ethical jewellery is certainly worth looking into for your wedding. Not all jewels are created equal, and some come with a lot of unethical baggage attached. Speak to jewellers about the history of the jewels they sell, and see if they have certificates to prove what they say. If you’re looking to buy diamonds, for example, then you should look for ones that have been approved by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). This scheme aims to eradicate the trade of conflict diamonds (also known as blood diamonds), and its members have now helped to reduce the production of these unethical diamonds by 99.8%.
Vegetarian alternatives
Photo credit: Brooke Lark
If you’re vegan yourself, of course, you might want to explore completely vegan catering options. But if you’re not ready for the commitment that a fully vegan wedding would entail, then vegetarian food is still a worthwhile ethical choice to consider – even for carnivores. There are so many vegetarian alternatives out there, created to mimic the taste and texture of meat, that your guests may not even be able to tell the difference!
There are a number of reasons why vegetarian food is the more ethical choice:
Animal rights. It’s a sad fact that the meat industry still causes incredible suffering for the animals involved. Some progress has been made towards the adoption of more ethical farming practices, but most animals still suffer greatly. By having a vegetarian wedding, you will not be directly contributing to the meat industry, and will be supporting companies that create vegetarian, cruelty-free alternatives instead.
The environment. It’s no secret that the meat industry is one of the key contributors to global warming. Anything you can do to mitigate that impact would be a net positive on your carbon footprint.
Your health. Meat can be good for you in moderation, particularly fish and white meat such as chicken, but many of us over-indulge. Red meat is particularly unhealthy for you in large amounts, and so it can be good for you to enjoy meat-free days here and there.
By having a vegetarian wedding, you will be able to relax – knowing that you are not actively contributing towards these unethical practices. And who knows – your guests might like the meat-free alternatives so much that they make the switch!
We’ve barely scratched the surface here: there are a wide range of other areas that you could consider; including your choice of venue, decorations, and more. But this list can be a good starting point for you as you look to begin your ethical wedding journey.
Written by John Bramer (Media Consultant at 77 Diamonds)
For more ethical suppliers and inspiration take a look at this Eco-Wedding Styled shoot…