How To Find Eco-Friendly Rentals & Decor For Your Wedding
By Brianna Lantz
Calling all eco-savvy brides! I know that planning a wedding in 2020 is insanely stressful enough, but planning a sustainable bash doesn’t have to be. In fact, that might be the easiest part of your big day with the help of American Rental Association’s handy search tool that finds rental stores near you.
What does renting have to do with the environment, you may ask? Let me count the ways! If you were considering ordering from a bunch of different shops across the country, think of the emissions from all of that shipping! Using a local vendor drastically reduces drive time and thus, your carbon footprint.
Plus, anytime you can reduce, reuse, & recycle is a win for the environment. Renting tables, chairs, linens, and decor will reduce the number of single-use products you buy (and frankly, will probably never see again!).
Thanks to the American Rental Association, renting is a breeze. And, if you’re looking to go a step further, we’re sharing some more tips below for throwing an eco-friendly wedding.
How It Works
It’s pretty simple really! Use ARA’s RentalHQ search tool to find wedding rentals you need local to your wedding venue. Search ceremony altars, tables, chairs, dinnerware, glassware, reception tent, maybe a fun beer or cocktail bar, lounge furniture, lighting, dancefloor, DJ booth…the sky is the limit!
RentalHQ even provides a wedding section so you can browse what’s available and gain inspiration for what you might want or need for your wedding space, no matter how big or small.
As we’ve said above, renting wedding decor is inherently eco-friendly: you’re reusing goods, no purchases winding up in the trash! Read on for some extra eco-friendly advice…
1. Start small.
Skip the straws and plastic cutlery. Swapping out single-use plastics for reusable rentals is a painless move that makes a big impact.
2. Be intentional with your venue.
Depending on the season, look for outdoor spaces with lots of natural light, or choose an indoor space that takes sustainability seriously. Look for hotels with Energy Star ratings.
3. Get thrifty.
Rent long tables and decorate them with funky, thrifted items. Borrow from a friend who may have kept their wedding wares (there’s your “something borrowed”!). Peruse your own selection – one of my favorite weddings was entirely decorated from the bride and groom’s home!
4. Cater locally, sustainably, and seasonally.
The less food that has to travel by truck, the better. Farm-to-table eating is having a major moment and for good reason!
5. Lighting is everything.
Give your big day an ultra-romantic feel by using less artificial light and more candles. Check that your bulbs are energy-efficient – LED is best.
American Rental Association is the largest international trade association for owners of equipment and event rental operations and manufacturers and suppliers of rental equipment. Head over to their search site RentalHQ.com to find your nearest rental vendor.
While you’re at it, give ARA a follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for even more wedding planning help.
This post was made in partnership with American Rental Association.
Brianna Lantz
Writer
A Pacific Northwest-based writer & globetrotter, Brianna has a penchant for the bohemian. Ever the day-dreamer, she can usually be found curled up somewhere cozy with a journal, plotting her next adventure. She believes there's nothing a Tom Petty song and a long, aimless drive won't fix.
