Our Guide on Making Your Woodland Wedding as Eco-Friendly as Possible at The Woods at Oakley
Planning a wedding is a magical journey, but it can also generate significant waste and have an environmental impact. However, with thoughtful choices, you can transform your celebration into a beautiful, eco-friendly event that aligns with your, and our, sustainable values. If you’re dreaming of tying the knot amidst nature’s splendour, The Woods at Oakley in Wiltshire, UK offers the perfect setting. Here’s how you can host a sustainable wedding at our enchanting venue without compromising on style, elegance, or fun.
Why Choose The Woods at Oakley?
The Woods at Oakley, nestled in the heart of nature, offers a serene backdrop for couples who want a wedding that reflects their love for the planet. Surrounded by ancient trees and verdant greenery, it’s a space that naturally encourages eco-consciousness. Lindsay and Charlie, the venue owners, decided to turn the Woods at Oakley into a wedding venue when the woodland began suffering with ash dieback (read more about ash dieback here). We are passionate about the conservation of the woods and the creatures that live here – by choosing to get married at The Woods at Oakley, you are helping to fund the conservation of the woods. With sustainable practices already integrated into our operations, including each couple planting a tree to give back to the woods, our venue is an ideal place to plan an eco-friendly wedding.
Choose Eco-Friendly Invitations
The first step to hosting an eco-friendly wedding is minimising paper waste. Consider digital invitations, which eliminate the need for printing and postage entirely. If you prefer physical invitations, opt for recycled paper or seed paper – your guests can plant the invitation afterward, and it will bloom into wildflowers!
For an added personal touch, work with a local company or small eco-conscious printing business to reduce your carbon footprint further.
Sustainable Decorations
The Woods at Oakley’s natural beauty provides a stunning canvas for your wedding and looks beautiful without any extra decoration. However, you are welcome to decorate the woods for your celebrations and many couples use the decorations to reflect their personalities, values and relationship. Here are some ways to stay eco conscious when decorating your woodland wedding:
Go Second-hand:
We have many items that previous couples have gifted us that you are welcome to use for your celebrations. You can find a selection of them in our ‘Something Extra’ brochure here. Facebook is also a great tool to find second-hand wedding decorations.
Get Creative:
DIY weddings are becoming increasingly popular and there are many decorations that could be made at home using second-hand or natural options. For example, finding abandoned pallets, staining them and writing on them in a POSCA pen. They could be used as welcome signs or to write your order of the day on. Homemade decorations can add a personal touch to your celebrations and allow you to explore your creativity. If you have creative friends or family that are happy to contribute, this is a great opportunity to utilise their skills to make your wedding even more special and unique.
Biodegradable Materials:
Opt for biodegradable confetti made of dried petals or leaves instead of plastic or synthetic alternatives. This is something that is very important to us at The Woods at Oakley, and we only allow natural confetti. We can supply you with dried wildflower seed confetti in beautiful jars; the wildflower seeds are harvested just a few miles away and your guests can take them home and sprinkle the seeds in their gardens to encourage biodiversity and support pollinators. Read more about ‘Sow Much Love’ confetti here. Avoid decorations or activities that could harm the surrounding environment, such as balloons or sky lanterns.
Seasonal Flowers:
Choose seasonal, locally grown flowers for your floral arrangements to reduce transportation emissions. After the event, donate the flowers to a care home or repurpose them for guests. We encourage our couples to take advantage of the lush surroundings and forage in the woods for natural flowers and greenery.
Sustainable Lighting:
Utilise energy-efficient LED lighting or solar powered fairy lights to create a warm, romantic ambience with minimal energy use. Avoid using single use LED tealights and instead consider rechargeable ones that can be re-used. We light the woodland paths with pea lights which you are welcome to use, to minimise the need for extra electric lights in the woods.
Sustainable Clothing
Eco-friendly wedding attire has become increasingly popular over the years and is a great way to minimise your wedding carbon footprint. Consider these ideas:
The Bride:
Look for dresses made from sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, or recycled materials. Alternatively, opt for a pre-loved gown or rent your wedding dress. Perhaps your mum or other female family member has a bridal gown that you could upcycle. Get inspiration from our previous Woods at Oakley brides here.
The Groom and Bridal Party:
Renting suits or selecting outfits that can be re-worn for future occasions ensures practicality and sustainability.
Ethical Accessories:
Choose jewellery from ethical, fair-trade sources or heirloom pieces passed down through your family. You are welcome to forage in the woods to create a flower garland or perhaps a headdress from fern.
Eco-Conscious Catering
Food is one of the largest contributors to wedding waste, so being mindful about catering choices can make a significant difference.
Local and Seasonal Menus:
Choose a local caterer who can create a menu based on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. This not only supports local farmers but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting food. We have several local caterers who we recommend – take a look at our ‘Friends of the Woods at Oakley’ brochure here.
Plant-Based Options:
Consider offering a fully plant-based menu or, at the very least, incorporating plant-forward dishes. These will have a lower environmental impact compared to meat-heavy options.
Avoid Food Waste:
Collaborate with your caterer to ensure accurate portioning and donate leftovers to local shelters or food banks if possible.
Compostable Dinnerware:
For casual dining settings, opt for compostable or reusable dinnerware rather than disposable plastic. Alternatively, hire crockery or use a catering company who provide the crockery, cutlery and glassware. At The Woods at Oakley, we would prefer the use of biodegradable cups instead of glass, which can be a danger to our local wildlife if smashed.
Green Transport Options
Transportation can contribute significantly to your wedding’s carbon footprint, especially if you have guests travelling from afar. Here’s how to minimise its impact:
Encourage Carpooling:
Take advantage of our beautiful bell tents in the woods that can accommodate up to 20 guests. For guests staying off-site, The Woods at Oakley is located 11 miles outside of Salisbury, Wiltshire and is surrounded by wonderful accommodation options (click here to view our recommended accommodation list). Providing a platform for these guests to coordinate shared rides will help to minimise the amount of car journeys needed.
Eco-Friendly Shuttle Services:
If you’re arranging transport, choose hybrid or electric shuttle services to bring guests to The Woods at Oakley.
Offset Carbon Emissions:
For guests who need to fly, consider providing a link to a carbon offset programme with your invitations.
Zero-Waste Practices
Adopting zero-waste practices throughout your wedding can make a big difference in reducing landfill contributions. Here are a few ways to incorporate this philosophy:
Recycling Stations:
Set up clearly marked recycling and compost bins throughout the venue to encourage proper waste disposal. We provide a recycling bin on-site and caterers are asked to take any food waste away with them.
Avoid Plastic:
Say no to single-use plastics by providing reusable straws or confetti in paper bags or glass bottles.
Eco-Friendly Guest Favours:
Opt for meaningful, waste-free gifts like potted plants, seed packets, or donations to environmental charities in your guests’ names. Read our blog post on eco-friendly wedding favours here.
Ethical Suppliers and Partnerships
Selecting suppliers who share your eco-conscious values is essential to executing a sustainable wedding. The Woods at Oakley has a network of local suppliers based in Wiltshire, including fully vegan catering companies, local florists, photographers and musicians. Supporting these businesses not only ensures your wedding is environmentally friendly but also amplifies their positive impact on the community. Click here to view our ‘Friends of The Woods at Oakley’ brochure.
Eco-Friendly Entertainment
Your wedding entertainment can also reflect your commitment to sustainability. Choose local musicians or performers to reduce travel emissions and consider the volume levels of your amplified music to keep the local wildlife happy. At The Woods at Oakley, we ask that amplified music stops at 11pm. For fun activities for your guests, consider outdoor games or DIY stations that don’t require disposable materials, for example, creating fairy wands out of foraged sticks and leaves for children (and maybe adults too!). We have some lovely wooden games that a previous couple left for us and future couples are very welcome to use them. We also have activity sheets and a nature hunt for your younger guests.
Sustainable Honeymoon Planning
End your eco-friendly wedding journey with a sustainable honeymoon. Look for eco-conscious accommodations or explore destinations closer to home. Activities such as hiking, cycling, or exploring local cultural heritage sites are perfect for couples who love nature and want to tread lightly. There are many wonderful holiday destinations in the UK and Europe that are accessible by train or boat, rather than by plane. Our beautiful converted WW2 Nissen Hut is included in our larger packages and is an idyllic setting for a getaway, perhaps as an anniversary trip or a calm unwind with your partner after the wedding.
Leave No Trace
At the end of your wedding, ensure you leave The Woods at Oakley as pristine and natural as you found it. Work with your wedding planner and friends and family to organise a clean-up that prioritises recycling and re-using. Consider selling your decorations on Facebook or gifting them to us – we would be very glad to offer them to future couples.
Share the Message
Finally, use your wedding as an opportunity to inspire others. Include a note on your ‘Order of the Day’ or website explaining the eco-friendly choices you’ve made. Guests might be inspired to incorporate these practices into their own lives or future events.
Conclusion
An eco-friendly wedding is not only achievable but also deeply rewarding. At The Woods at Oakley, you can host a celebration that honours your love for one another while respecting the planet and the ancient woodlands that will surround you on your special day. By embracing sustainable practices, you’re creating not just a memorable day but a legacy of care for the environment.
Planning a wedding with sustainability in mind requires creativity, but it’s a chance to make meaningful choices that reflect your values. Your love for each other and the world can shine through in every detail, creating a truly magical day that’s as kind to the Earth as it is unforgettable for your guests.
So, if you’re ready to say “I do” to sustainability, The Woods at Oakley awaits you. Together, let’s create a wedding that’s beautiful in every sense of the word.
Click here to view our brochure and find out more about our woodland wedding packages. For more eco-friendly wedding inspiration, explore our Instagram page here.