Ways to Have an Eco-Friendly Destination Wedding
Planning destination weddings day in and day out has taught us one thing: you don’t have to choose between luxury and sustainability. You can absolutely throw a gorgeous (even over-the-top) celebration without wrecking the planet in the process.
Destination weddings are thriving in 2025, and it’s easy to see why. Unforgettable memories, breathtaking views, and real quality time with your favorite people? Yes, please. But let’s be honest: flying guests across the world, importing exotic florals, and going all-in on the extras can seriously add up (for both your budget and the environment).
Today’s couples are raising the bar — and going greener. They want weddings that feel meaningful, intentional, and, frankly, just smarter. Translation? Don’t be an a**hole to the planet. Everyone (including future you) will thank you for it.
Let’s walk through the best ways to have a sustainable destination wedding that still brings in all the fun.
🌳 ♻️ Here are 9 Ways to “Go Green” Without Giving Up the Luxury:
Choose a Location That Makes Travel Easier
One of the biggest environmental impacts of any destination wedding? Air travel. The more connections, long-hauls, and layovers, the more emissions you're racking up. But here's the secret: a destination doesn’t have to be hard to get to to be dreamy.
Think about spots that are already popular with direct flights from major cities — places like Mexico, the Caribbean, or even within your home country. Not only does this make it easier (and cheaper) for guests to get there, but it also reduces your wedding’s overall carbon footprint.
💡Pro-Tip: If most of your guests are coming from the same region, pick a location that’s central to cut down on emissions and cost.
Book Resorts and Venues That Care
Not all venues are created equal when it comes to sustainability. Look for hotels and resorts that walk the walk — those with eco-certifications, in-house sustainability coordinators, or partnerships with local environmental organizations.
Ask potential venues questions like:
Do you compost food waste?
Are there single-use plastics on-site?
Is your energy sourced from renewables?
Do you support local artisans and small businesses?
Venues that already integrate green practices will make your life way easier, and help you host a wedding that feels aligned with your values from the jump. When working with TravelBash, we coordinate with the venue to make sure that you are making the best choice for you.
Source Local Décor and Seasonal Flowers
You don’t need to fly in peonies from Holland to have a breathtaking floral setup. Local, in-season blooms are not only better for the environment, but often even more beautiful. They actually reflect the natural charm of your chosen destination location, and reduce the need for complicated (and refrigerated) transport and harmful packaging.
Take it a step further by renting your décor instead of buying it. Better yet? Partner up with vendors who reuse, reuse, upcycle and source sustainably. Your table settings, lounge furniture, and arches can be just as stunning (minus the waste).
Go Local With Your Menu
One of the best parts of any destination wedding? The food. And when it’s locally sourced, it’s even better — fresher, more flavorful, and more sustainable.
Work with your caterer to create a menu that highlights regional ingredients and dishes. Local fish, farm-grown veggies, seasonal fruit, and heritage grains all help lower emissions from shipping and support the surrounding community. It’s a small change that makes a big difference — and your guests won’t stop talking about how good everything tasted.
💡 Pro-Tip: Buffets can lead to a ton of food waste. If you can, opt for plated meals or interactive chef stations to keep portions more intentional.
Rethink the Favors
We’ve all been there: you get home from a wedding and find a monogrammed wine stopper or shot glass at the bottom of your suitcase… that you never use again.
Instead of traditional wedding favors, consider:
Locally made snacks or spices
Eco-friendly items like reusable totes or bamboo utensils
A donation to an environmental nonprofit in your guests’ names
The goal? Less clutter, more impact.
Go Digital
From save-the-dates to RSVPs, digital wedding communications are an easy win for both the environment and your budget. Use a platform that lets you send out beautiful invites and updates (no printing or shipping required).
If you’re set on printed invites, go for recycled paper, plantable seed paper, or minimalist designs that use less ink and waste.
💡Pro-Tip: Create a wedding website! A digital itinerary makes it much easier to update guests in real time while saving trees in the process.
Wear What Makes Sense
Hear me out on this one: sustainable fashion doesn’t mean compromising on style. Think outside the box by:
Renting a designer gown or tux
Choosing a dress you can rewear or alter post-wedding
Avoiding multiple outfit changes during your wedding
Shopping vintage or secondhand
Supporting eco-conscious designers that use organic or recycled materials
You can also encourage your wedding party to choose outfits they’ll actually wear again. No more one-and-done bridesmaid dresses.
Create Awareness About Going Green
You’ve put so much thought into planning a low-impact celebration, why not share that intention?
A simple message on your wedding website, welcome notes, or even during your speech can go a long way. Most guests will appreciate knowing that your dreamy destination wedding was also planet-conscious.
You can say something like:
“We’ve made a few eco-friendly choices to help reduce our impact on this beautiful place. Thanks for being part of it.”
Not preachy. Just purposeful.
Don’t Trash the Planet on Your Way Out
Let’s talk about exits. Glitter confetti, balloons, or even faux flower petals may look pretty in photos, but they often leave behind waste (or worse, microplastics). Choose biodegradable confetti, dried florals, or even eco-friendly bubbles instead.
Other ways to cut waste:
Make trash and recycling bins visible and easy to use
Avoid plastic straws, plates, cups or water bottles
Donate leftover food or flowers to local shelters or hospitals (some venues will even do this for you!)
And remember: a thoughtful exit leaves a lasting impression, and stays true to the meaning behind your special day.
💚 💚 What Does it Actually Mean to “Go Green” On Your Destination Wedding?
Going green isn’t just about skipping plastic straws or swapping your invites for an email. It’s about being intentional with every single choice — how your guests travel, what goes on their plates, where your florals come from, and what gets left behind when the party’s over.
A sustainable wedding doesn’t mean sacrificing style or fun. It means planning smarter. It means thinking long-term. It means creating a celebration that reflects your values and leaves a lighter footprint on the planet.
And the best part? You don’t have to figure it out alone. When you work with TravelBash, we handle all the behind-the-scenes communication — from making eco-friendly choices feel effortless to making sure your guests know exactly what to expect. You get to focus on the fun stuff, while we help you plan a wedding that’s beautiful and better for the world.
Editor Notes: This post was originally published on March 16, 2021 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy, comprehensiveness, and relevance.
Courtnie is the founder & CEO of TravelBash. After years as an ambitious fundraiser, she took her passion for travel full-time. She has lived all over the U.S. and abroad and after planning her own destination wedding, she decided to help other couples plan their big day abroad too. She has written “Passport to Paradise: The Complete Destination Wedding Guide,” a top seller on Amazon. She has also been featured in Travel + Leisure, Destination I Do and The Washington Post. As a certified travel advisor, expert event planner and natural connector, she uses her powers to create VIP travel experiences.
