How to Plan an Eco Wedding, Devon-style (That’s Relaxed, Joyful and Still Feels Like a Wedding)

Planning an Eco Wedding (Without Turning Into That Couple)

If you’re planning an eco wedding in Devon or the South West, chances are you care about the planet and you want a wedding that feels joyful, relaxed and properly celebratory - not worthy, beige, or full of quiet judgement.

The good news? A sustainable wedding doesn’t have to mean compromise. Especially here in Devon, where local food, seasonal flowers, independent suppliers and beautiful venues are already part of the landscape.

When my husband and I got married eight years ago, we didn’t call it an “eco wedding” at the time. We were just trying to make thoughtful choices that felt kind, local and true to us. Looking back, so many of those decisions fit naturally into what people now describe as a sustainable or eco-friendly wedding - and I’m still really chuffed with how it all came together.

So here are some real-life ideas from our own Devon wedding, plus a few extra suggestions if you’re planning yours now.

Seasonal, Locally Grown Wedding Flowers

One of the simplest ways to plan a more eco-friendly wedding is to choose locally grown, seasonal flowers. Ours were grown locally and arranged by my mum and her friend Trish - which meant no air miles, lots of love, and plenty of laughter the night before.

Here in Devon, seasonal flowers are abundant and beautiful, whether you’re getting married in a garden, a barn, by the coast or on the moors. They’re often more affordable too, and they look like they belong exactly where you’re getting married - because they do. (I have some amazing local wedding flower suppliers I can recommend!...The wonderful Bowden Spring Flowers, and Miranda Hackett Flowers to name two!).

Sustainable Wedding Food That Still Feels Generous

We chose vegetarian food, catered by the brilliant local company H & A Catering. The food was hearty and delicious - and beautifully showed off that you don't need to have meat to have a good meal!

For a few of our more committed meat-eating buddies who were rather incensed by the idea, we popped protein bars at their place settings as a little joke. They laughed, no one complained (in fact the opposite!), and no one fainted.

Choosing local caterers and seasonal menus is one of the easiest ways to create a sustainable wedding in the South West, without making a big announcement about it.

Local Drinks With a Real Sense of Place

Our ale came from South Hams Brewery brewed just down the road. Serving locally produced drinks meant less transport, more flavour, and something that genuinely reflected where we live.

It’s these small, thoughtful choices that often make a wedding feel rooted and personal - and guests tend to notice.

Ethical and Recycled Wedding Rings

My engagement ring is made from recycled white gold and was handcrafted by the fabulous Yume Jewellery in Ashburton. Knowing it was made locally, using reclaimed materials, made it feel even more meaningful - and very much ours. We also loved the process of designing it with Yume, and it gave us a great excuse to pop along to Ashburton and have a nosy round the shops whenever we had the chance.

Choosing ethical or recycled wedding jewellery is a lovely way to carry your values into something you’ll wear every day.

Eco Wedding Favours and Gifts That Last

Instead of favours destined for the back of a drawer, we chose:

• Seed packets with native seeds as wedding favours

• Tree saplings given as wedding gifts

They were simple, thoughtful, and long-lasting - little reminders of the day that could keep growing. For a few years afterwards, I would occasionally get a message from a different friend who had planted theirs and wanted to show me the flowers that had grown - always a lovely little reminder of our day.

Our confetti was another favourite detail: my mother-in-law dried flower petals collected from friends’ gardens. Possibly the most wholesome DIY wedding task ever.

Reducing Waste (Without Losing the Magic)

We made a few easy swaps to reduce waste:

• Hired glasses instead of using single-use

• Borrowed decorations rather than buying new (also so much cheaper!!)

• Bought some decorations second-hand, then sold them or passed them on afterwards

• Set up receycle bins so we could recycle bottles afterwards

  
  

Sustainable weddings aren’t about doing everything yourself - they’re about choosing where it makes sense and letting the rest go.

Digital Wedding Invitations With Personality

We opted for e-invites instead of paper invitations, which saved paper and postage (it was also SO much cheaper!). My husband made a funny animation of us for the save-the-date, and our main invitations linked to a wedding website with all the details.

It felt personal, modern, and very us - and much easier than chasing RSVPs by post and spending a fortune on stamps.

Other Eco Wedding Ideas You Could Consider

• Hire outfits or accessories

• Buy a second-hand wedding dress (I tried but couldn't find 'the one'...places like Vinted now have a much bigger supply, or there are some amazing second-hand bridal shops around).

• Use local suppliers wherever possible: florists, musicians, celebrants (hello 👋), bakers, photographers...

• Choose venues that already have character so you don’t need to decorate much

  
  

And honestly? Sometimes the most sustainable choice is the one that keeps you calm and happy.

Eco Weddings Are About Intention, Not Perfection

An eco wedding isn’t a competition. It’s a celebration.

If you’re thinking about sustainability at all, you’re already doing it right. Choose what matters to you, make decisions that feel manageable, and let go of the rest.