A Guide to Sustainable Celebrations
When you’re planning a woodland wedding, the beauty of nature is at the heart of your event. Your surroundings offer inspiration for décor, food, and ambiance, and it makes sense to extend this natural theme to your wedding favours. As sustainability becomes increasingly important, many couples are choosing eco-friendly wedding favours that align with their values while delighting their guests. At the Woods at Oakley, we are passionate about conservation, and we encourage our couples to do the same. If you’re looking to create a memorable woodland wedding with a green twist, here are some ideas for sustainable, nature-inspired wedding favours that reflect your love for the environment.
1. Seed Packets
Nothing says “new beginnings” like planting seeds. Offering guests seed packets as wedding favours is a beautiful way to symbolize growth, love, and hope. You can choose wildflower seeds, herb seeds, or even tree saplings that will remind guests of your special day as they grow. Not only are these favours sustainable, but they also contribute to local ecosystems by providing nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
To make the favour extra special, you can personalize the seed packets with your wedding date and a heartfelt message. Use recycled paper for the packaging and consider including planting instructions to ensure your guests know how to nurture their new plants.
At the Woods at Oakley, we can provide you with ‘Sow Much Love’ wildflower confetti and seeds that your guests can take home as wedding favours. Browse our hire items here.
2. Eco-Friendly Candles
Candles create a warm, romantic atmosphere, making them a perfect addition to woodland weddings. However, traditional candles often contain paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum and can release harmful chemicals into the air when burned. For a more eco-conscious choice, opt for candles made from soy, beeswax, or coconut wax.
These natural candles are biodegradable, burn cleaner, and are typically longer lasting than their paraffin counterparts. You can further enhance the eco-friendliness by choosing candles in reusable glass jars or tin containers, or even by packaging them in biodegradable materials. Scented options using essential oils—such as lavender, cedarwood, or pine—are ideal for evoking the forest atmosphere of your woodland wedding.
3. Mini Succulents
Succulents have become incredibly popular as wedding favours, and for good reason. These small, hardy plants are easy to care for, long-lasting, and can thrive indoors or outdoors. Offering your guests a mini succulent as a woodland wedding favour is like giving them a little piece of nature to take home.
To keep the favour eco-friendly, avoid plastic pots and instead opt for sustainable materials like ceramic, clay, or repurposed containers such as teacups or wooden boxes. You could even personalize each succulent by engraving your initials or wedding date on the pot. This is a living favour that requires minimal care, making it a hit with guests who may not have green thumbs.
4. Reusable Tote Bags
Practical and eco-friendly, reusable tote bags make great wedding favours. These bags are a functional gift that guests can use again and again, whether for shopping, work, or leisure. You can customize the bags with a design that reflects your wedding theme—think botanical illustrations, woodland creatures, or even a personalised message.
Choose organic cotton, jute, or recycled fabric for the tote material to stay environmentally friendly. The tote bags are not only useful but also help reduce plastic waste, making them an excellent sustainable wedding favour option. Plus, every time your guests use the bag, they’ll be reminded of your beautiful woodland wedding.
5. Beeswax Food Wraps
For couples who want to offer something truly unique and practical, beeswax food wraps are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic cling wrap. These wraps are made from cotton fabric coated in beeswax and can be reused to cover food, wrap sandwiches, or store leftovers.
Choose wraps in earthy tones or floral patterns that match your woodland wedding theme. Beeswax wraps are not only biodegradable and reusable but also help reduce plastic waste, making them a thoughtful and practical favour that guests can incorporate into their daily lives.
6. Sustainable Drinkware
Reusable drinkware, such as bamboo or stainless-steel straws, mason jar mugs, or bamboo cups, makes for a stylish and sustainable wedding favour. These items are practical, reduce waste, and align with eco-friendly values. You can personalize the drinkware with your wedding date or initials, adding a unique touch that reflects your day.
For a woodland wedding, consider pairing the drinkware with a natural beverage, such as herbal tea blends or coffee beans. This combination creates a favour that guests can use immediately and for years to come, helping them reduce their use of single-use plastics.
7. Local Honey or Jam
If you’re looking for edible favours, locally sourced honey or jam is a sweet and sustainable option. Supporting local farmers not only reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods, but it also strengthens the local economy. You can package the honey or jam in glass jars with wooden lids, adding a rustic touch that fits perfectly with your woodland wedding theme.
To make the favour even more meaningful, you can include a note explaining where the honey or jam comes from, perhaps even highlighting any sustainable practices the producer follows. This gives guests a deeper connection to the favour and encourages them to think about the importance of supporting local businesses. There are many local honey makers in Wiltshire, UK nearby to the Woods at Oakley, including White Horse Honey and Potterne Honey.
8. Handmade Soaps
Handcrafted, all-natural soaps make for luxurious and eco-friendly wedding favours. Opt for soaps made with organic ingredients, essential oils, and no synthetic fragrances or dyes. There are endless options for scents and designs, from earthy tones like sandalwood and cedar to floral and citrus-infused varieties.
To keep the packaging sustainable, choose recycled or compostable wrapping materials such as paper or fabric. Handmade soaps are a small, thoughtful gift that guests will appreciate and use long after the wedding day.
9. Edible Favours in Compostable Packaging
For those who want to offer edible wedding favours, consider using eco-friendly packaging for treats such as cookies, chocolates, or nuts. Compostable bags, paper boxes, or reusable jars are all great alternatives to plastic packaging. Choose organic or fair-trade options for the treats themselves, furthering your commitment to sustainability.
You could also offer DIY kits, such as make-your-own s’mores, with ingredients packaged in compostable or reusable materials. This type of favour adds a fun, interactive element to your woodland wedding, while keeping your ecological footprint small.
10. Natural Bath Salts or Bath Bombs
After the excitement of your wedding, your guests will appreciate a chance to relax and unwind. Handmade bath salts or bath bombs made from natural, non-toxic ingredients offer a perfect opportunity for self-care. These products can be scented with essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, or rose for a refreshing, woodland-inspired experience.
Opt for eco-friendly packaging, such as glass jars or biodegradable paper, and consider adding dried flowers or herbs for an extra touch of luxury. Bath products make for a thoughtful and pampering wedding favour that guests will love.
Conclusion
Eco-friendly wedding favours will not only reflect your love for the environment but will also allow your guests to take a little piece of your woodland wedding home with them. By choosing sustainable options like seed packets, mini succulents, reusable tote bags, and local honey, you can create meaningful, memorable favours that align with your values while reducing waste. As you plan your woodland wedding, these eco-friendly ideas will help you celebrate your love while honouring the natural world. Learn more about our commitment to sustainability at the Woods at Oakley on our website.
Find more ideas for eco-friendly wedding favours here.