When the coronavirus pandemic hit, the restrictions and lockdowns halted all kinds of gatherings. Weddings and celebrations kept getting pushed back in the hopes of the situation resolving itself.
Over a year later, the classic Big Fat Indian Wedding has evolved into a much leaner, intimate celebration. Many thought that having to adjust to this new normal would stunt our creativity. Quite the opposite!
From drive-in weddings to virtual sangeets, we have adapted our celebrations to make them as safe as possible, without eliminating the fun - because let’s face it - we all need some joy in our lives right now! And a happy consequence of intimate weddings is that they’re so much more eco-friendly! Let’s dive into some green basics.
INVITATIONS
Elaborate wedding invitation hampers containing all sorts of wasteful materials such as single-use plastics, non-recyclable paper etc. have now been replaced with digital creatives.
To keep it interesting, couples have come up with all kinds of innovative designs and even animated videos to invite their guests to their big day. Faster, cheaper, less wasteful, and more creative! This is one change that is hopefully here to stay!
Greenmyna will help you find some amazing designers who understand your vision and turn it into virtual reality.
VENUES
Wedding planners and venue providers alike have had to be more creative in providing spaces that are more suitable for smaller celebrations. Many today have simply opted to do smaller functions in their own home! Virtual gatherings are not only safer, they allow loved ones from multiple locations to be part of the celebrations. This has dramatically cut costs, power usage, and overall carbon footprint while still being every bit the fairytale your wedding deserves to be!
Many outdoor venues have built-in décor which works very well for weddings or events, reducing décor requirements. One may even like to consider a temple, gurudwara, or church wedding according to the beliefs of the couple. The pandemic has also limited the number of ceremonies, and as a result - the number of venues, saving wedding guests a heavy commute and of course, reducing the environmental impact. For their part, guests can be encouraged to RSVP to wedding invitations about a month prior to allow the couple to effectively plan their wedding with minimal waste. Food wastage especially, can be greatly reduced if an accurate guest list is available.
Although no doubt having all one’s loved ones gathered in one place is an unmatchable joy, as businesses and travel start opening up again, it’s important to try and strike a balance between wedding festivities and their environmental impact. Team Greenmyna are on hand to arrange the perfect venue for your special day that provides for eco-friendly décor, catering etc.
OUTFITS
With boutiques and designer stores closed due to the pandemic, many couples were left with no choice but to look for alternatives. Many chose to improvise by upcycling their parents' wedding outfits. Wearing the same saree that your mother or grandmother wore when they got married, or the same suit your father wore for his wedding not only holds an emotional value, but also greatly reduces the wastage caused from fabric scraps, sequins, dyes etc.
For smaller ceremonies, many opted to buy their clothes from thrift stores or used rental clothing. Brands like Kuro India, EuroFits, and The Styles have ventured into this untapped space to help out couples on their special day. Not only is this budget-friendly, it is also more sustainable.
The same goes for jewellery, one can accessorise their outfits with ancestral heirlooms or simply rent. Voila! Budget, heritage, and vogue all sustained. Here's hoping boutiques and designer stores can recover their losses and adapt to a more eco-friendly business model.
CATERING
For Indian weddings, no matter which region or culture, it is more often than not the food that leaves the most lasting impression, with guests talking about it for years to come. As a result, this is typically the biggest expense that, quite literally, eats into most wedding budgets.
While guests need to relish the food, Indian weddings are guilty of being extravagant. Typically, 10-15 percent of food at weddings would go to waste, which can be upwards of a few hundred kilos!
Smaller weddings mean less scope for wastage. Many are also now using the opportunity to support small businesses, with home chefs and bakers being commissioned to cater for intimate gatherings. There are also several companies which deliver boxes of food to wedding guests as well. The number of people going hungry these days is greater than ever and we must learn this lesson going forward and reduce unnecessary food waste. The Robin Hood Army and many such NGOs are helping distribute leftover food to the less privileged.
FLOWERS & DÉCOR
Improvisation is just a fancy word for jugaad, and we Indians are the world champions of this sport. Smaller weddings call for minimal décor and maximum creativity. The most readily available flowers in India are the old classics: marigolds and rajnigandha - used liberally as décor across a wide spectrum of festivals. It is important to go with local flower vendors as locally sourced horticulture is sustainable and has lower carbon footprint.
Wedding décor can also be a fun craft project for the whole family to get involved with. Alternatively, Greenmyna has collaborations with many eco-friendly décor companies and a wonderful team, which means all the aesthetic hassle is ours.
We live in an ever-changing world today, and it is important to adjust our consumerism to our new reality. One lesson that 2020 and 2021 have taught us - we must remain steadfast in our love for the environment. Celebrations must be mindful of their impact. At Greenmyna, we hope to assist you with all your needs for your special day, keeping it as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible without compromising on any of the fun!