Wedding Day Purchases: Crafting Everlasting Memories
Weddings are a time of love, celebration, and joy, but they can also leave a lasting impact on the environment. According to Melodie Foley, a senior associate producer at Naturally Yours Events, the average US wedding generates about 400 pounds of waste. With over 2.3 million weddings taking place each year, this adds up to a staggering 1.5 billion pounds of waste annually. However, there are ways to minimize the environmental impact of this special day while creating lasting memories.
Glass-Shard Art: A Tale of Two Souls
Keith Willard, owner of Keith Willard Events, shares a poignant story of turning smashed glass from a Jewish wedding ceremony into beautiful art. The shattered pieces symbolize the breaking of one soul into two parts, which must then find their way back to each other. By repurposing these glass shards into art, couples can create a meaningful keepsake from their wedding day.
One notable vendor, Love and Latkes, led by Randee Kushner in Chicago, transforms glass shards into candlestick holders, art, and mezuzahs. Their creations not only serve as decorative pieces but also hold sentimental value for the couple. Similarly, Modern Tribe offers a range of customized items like mezuzahs, kiddush cups, and paperweights made from smashed wedding glass.
Preserving Flowers for Posterity
Floral arrangements are a significant part of any wedding, often representing love, beauty, and new beginnings. Instead of discarding these blooms after the celebration, couples can repurpose them in creative ways. Amelia Kovacs, CEO of Element Design Co.’s Pressed Bouquet Shop, specializes in crafting pressed floral pieces that capture the essence of the wedding day.
Foley’s top recommendation, Moments to Memories in Chicago, offers a unique custom bookend set made from wedding flowers. This bespoke creation not only serves as a decorative piece but also immortalizes the beauty of the wedding day. For those with an excess of flowers, Hive Fragrance Studio Cabo can transform them into a personalized perfume, ensuring that the fragrance of the wedding lingers long after the event.
Cloth Keepsakes: From Wedding to Home
Weddings are a time of tradition and symbolism, and many couples incorporate meaningful rituals into their ceremonies. Cassie LaMere, founder of Cassie LaMere Events, suggests reevaluating the use of tableware rentals at weddings. By investing in embroidered linen napkins or tablecloths featuring monograms or crests, couples can create lasting mementos that add a touch of elegance to their home.
Every time the table is set with these personalized linens, it serves as a reminder of the special day, sparking conversations and memories with loved ones. By choosing reusable and meaningful items, couples can extend the joy of their wedding day long into the future.
Artful Wedding Signage: From Reception to Home Decor
Wedding signage plays a crucial role in guiding guests and setting the tone for the celebration. Amy Abbott, founder of Amy Abbott Events, believes that wedding day art can serve a dual purpose – as decor at the reception and as a cherished keepsake in the home. Custom-painted bottles, table signage, and place cards can all be repurposed into decorative pieces that evoke memories of the special day.
For one client, Abbott created a stunning painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which served as a backdrop at the wedding and now hangs proudly in her home. By incorporating personal touches and meaningful symbols into wedding decor, couples can create a lasting connection between the celebration and their everyday lives.
In conclusion, weddings are a time of love, joy, and new beginnings. By repurposing wedding day purchases and creating meaningful keepsakes, couples can not only reduce waste but also create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come. So, the next time you plan a wedding, consider how you can craft eternal memories from every detail of the celebration.
