Weddings are joyous occasions, often brimming with love, laughter, and celebration. However, they can also generate considerable amounts of waste. From plastic decorations to food leftovers, the environmental impact of a wedding can be substantial.
But what if you could celebrate your big day without leaving a heavy footprint on the planet? Dr Poorvi Bhat and Shamanth’s wedding in Shivamogga, Karnataka, is a great example of how a wedding can be beautiful and sustainable.
The charm of a sustainable wedding lies in its simplicity and connection with nature. Imagine a setting free from plastic and unnecessary waste, surrounded by lush greenery, local farm produce, and heartfelt traditions. This is exactly what Dr Poorvi and Shamanth’s wedding felt like – a step back in time to when weddings were simpler and more in tune with nature.
As Poorvi explains, “We just need to look back a few years ago and draw inspiration from our ancestors. We didn’t innovate, just followed what our parents have been doing!” This philosophy guided their wedding planning, where they guaranteed every decision was made with sustainability in mind.
Here is how the doctor planned a low-waste and eco-friendly wedding:
1. Choose an eco-friendly venue
The couple chose Poorvi’s family farm in Shivamogga, which already followed sustainable farming practices. The surroundings, filled with coconut trees, areca palms, and lush greenery, provided a natural beauty that required little decoration.
This venue, where her father has been running an organic farm for over 40 years, was the perfect setting for a wedding rooted in sustainability.
2. Sustainable decorations
Instead of relying on synthetic materials, Poorvi and Shamanth opted for locally sourced and biodegradable decorations. Mango and coconut leaves from the farm were used for the decor, assuring that once the wedding was over, these items could be composted.
The wedding pavilion (mantapa) was made from sugarcane, a traditional material in Shivamogga, which could also be fed to the farm’s cows after the ceremony. “While reusable steel mantapas are available, we chose to go with a sugarcane one as it is traditionally used and grows in Shivamogga. It is also something that our cows love,” the bride says.
3. Zero-waste catering
Catering is often one of the major sources of waste at weddings. To minimise this, the couple focused on reducing food wastage and using sustainable alternatives. They used steel cutlery instead of plastic and served food on traditional banana leaves, which are compostable.
They served drinking water in big reusable cans, and food was served in smaller portions to prevent wastage. Any remaining food was packed and given to neighbours and farm workers in their own steel dabbas.
4. Waste management
To further reduce their environmental impact, the couple checked that all waste was either composted or recycled. The leftover food, banana leaves, and decorations were composted in the farm’s vermicompost pit. Even the water used for washing hands was directed to the mango trees, ensuring minimal water wastage.
5. Eco-friendly wedding gifts and attire
In keeping with the sustainable theme, the couple also made sure that their wedding gifts and attire were eco-conscious. Return gifts were given in reusable jute bags, and the boxes used for sarees and clothes were sent for recycling. Poorvi also wore a 50-year-old saree of her grandmother, highlighting the sentimental and sustainable nature of her bridal trousseau.
“My grandmother had gifted this saree to her best friend 50 years ago. She in turn gifted it to me now,” she shares with a smile.
At the end of the two-day wedding, the venue was spotlessly clean, with all waste either composted, recycled, or reused. The couple was able to save a substantial amount of waste, from plastic to food, demonstrating that a wedding can be memorable and environmentally responsible.
Edited by Vidya Gowri
