A Wedding Videographers Guide to Sustainability in the Wedding Industry

Weddings are magic, memorable, and usually one of the most special days of couples’ lives, so it is understandable to want to make your day perfect. With that being said, the average UK wedding produces one-third of metric ton of solid waste and roughly 14.5 tons of CO2 emissions. This makes it no surprise, more and more couples are now looking for ways to make their big day more sustainable.

Having had the privilege to capture some beautiful weddings, I have seen first hand how small, thoughtful choices can have a big impact, not just on the environment but on the authenticity and personality of the wedding day itself.

Investing in Refurbished Tech Where Possible

High-quality videography can rely on top of the range technology, but this doesn’t mean everything has to be brand new. One way that I make a small but meaningful impact is by investing in refurbished tech where I can. Where possible, I buy refurbished cameras, lenses and accessories, instead of buying brand new, directly from the manufacturer. Using refurbished equipment doesn’t impact the quality of my videos, I carefully select reliable, professional-grade gear to ensure every film meets my high standards while helping to reduce electronic waste.

Supporting Small, Local Suppliers

Being sustainable isn’t just about cutting waste and being more eco-conscious, it is also about supporting ethical and local businesses. Hiring small, independent suppliers for your day is one way of doing it. Not only can you reduce your impact on the environment but you can have something more unique and more special to you. As a small business myself, this is something that is important to me and supporting small, local suppliers, where I can, is something I will always strive to do.

Choosing Preloved and Second-Hand Décor

One of the biggest sources of waste at weddings is single use decorations. Looking for second hand decor is a great way to reduce costs and be more sustainable at the same time. Online wedding resale groups and, Vinted and Facebook Marketplace are great places to find preloved wedding decorations.

Once your day is done, you could also think about selling the decorations on instead of throwing them away. Selling on or donating decorations, tableware, or even dresses, helps reduce waste and can also help future couples cut costs and/or help with their goals of sustainability.

Thoughtful Wedding Favours and Gifts

More and more couples are thinking of ways to reinvent traditional wedding norms. One example is the traditional wedding favours that are so often forgotten about or thrown away. At more weddings recently, I've been seeing couples giving edible favours from local businesses, charity donations or something meaningful that can be taken home and used for a long time.

Similarly, wedding registries can be rethought—asking for experiences over material gifts or requesting contributions to a honeymoon fund can be a great way to reduce unnecessary consumption. Sustainable choices often lead to more meaningful experiences.

Sustainability in the wedding industry doesn’t mean compromising on the beauty or joy of your day. In fact, it often enhances it, bringing a deeper connection to the suppliers, materials, and experiences that make your wedding yours.

Did you, or are you planning to, do something at your wedding to make it more sustainable? I want to hear your ideas too!

If you’re planning your wedding, feel free to contact me. I’d love to help capture your day in a way that’s as unique as your love story.