The Adventure Bride’s Guide to Eco-Friendly Adventure Elopement Practice Alternatives
Hey Adventure Brides!
Today we’re dealing with the topic of Eco-friendly practices during adventure elopements.
For some people the words “eco-friendly” are second nature and an avidly practiced lifestyle. For others, a bit of a groan may be in order. Because sometimes, eco-friendly means that we can’t have EXACTLY what we want for our wedding. Eco-friendly means no real flowers, no cute floral petals scattered around, sometimes no pets, and definitely no sparkler exit.
It’s easy to roll our eyes and be bummed at the perceived inconvenience that comes with the words “eco-friendly,” but I’m here to help present alternatives to the standard wedding practices we may have to part with or modify.
Here we go:
Real Floral Alternatives
This is a major one I see a lot when coaching the brides who have booked an adventure wedding or elopement with me, especially if their big day is taking place in a national park.
Most national parks do not allow real flowers or flower petals to be involved in adventure elopements because it could accidentally introduce a new bug hiding in the plants or new seeds to the environment that could potentially damage the eco system there.
My alternative to carrying real florals is simply to use artificial ones.
Artificial floral arrangement by Dye the Knot Adventure Weddings & Elopements
Let’s be honest. Real flowers are beautiful, but quite honestly are a pain in the butt to keep alive. If you even look at them wrong, they die. Now imagine trying to keep these little boogers alive while hiking up a mountain or in a desert for your ceremony and photos. Not a recipe for success, let me tell you.
Artificial flowers can be customized in any way your heart desires, and are never “out of season” when you go to order them. You can do them yourself if you’re the type of bride who likes to do DIY things to feel productive for your wedding, or you can have your amazing Dye the Knot Adventure Weddings & Elopement team (yours truly ;) make your custom bouquet/arch piece/boutonniere that will be beautiful but durable while you brave the elements or hike a million miles to your destination.
Artificial flowers will last longer than your day and can be repurposed in the cutest of ways (wreaths, household centerpieces, resin preservation, you name it).
2. Sparkler Photo Alternatives
While sparkler photos are super cute, there are definitely some more unique alternatives to having an open flame in the great outdoors.
Glowsticks can make a groovy way to get some unique photos with your favorite person. Necklaces, crowns, glasses, wands, you name it - there’s probably a glowing version out there for you!
Battery powered candles or lanterns can make an adorably intimate vibe, and can come in an plethora of colors.
Fiber optic wands are another SUPER cute trend that is going around now as an alternative to open flames!
Obviously, feel free to get creative with whatever you decide as it’s a reflection of your personality and your relationship!
3. Ways to incorporate your pet if they can’t be present
Photo by Nalty Photography
For those of us who are fur parents, it can definitely be a bit of a bummer when we find out that our four-legged babies aren’t allowed to be present for our wedding day. Maybe there are no dog beaches close to your location, or you’re getting married at a national park that has a strict no pet policy. Whatever the case, there are some cute options out there to still incorporate your little angel into your big day, even if they can’t physically be there.
Personally, I tell my couples to bring their pets anyway. Find a pet friendly Airbnb or hotel room they can stay at safely during your ceremony, and we will find time to still take some photos with them while dressed for your ceremony. Maybe you decide to do first look photos with your pups (SO CUTE) or choose to let your cat help you put on your makeup the morning of for some cute photos.
If it’s just not possible to bring your pet along, I have another blog post (linked here: The Adventure Bride's Guide to Incorporating your Pet into your Adventure Wedding — Dye the Knot Adventure Weddings & Elopements (squarespace.com) that you can reference on different ideas to keep them involved!
Eco-friendly adventure elopements is honestly such a large topic, with SO many different directions that could be explored, so that’s all I’ll cover for now.
If there’s a trend or something you really want to include in your wedding day, talk to your amazing elopement photographer (pick me! pick me!) to see if your location allows what you’re wanting, or to find some alternatives that are safer for the environment.
Until next time!
-Carlie
