Here are the biggest eco-friendly wedding trends we’re seeing this year and how to incorporate them into your special day.

Following our double win at the Sustainable Wedding Alliance it is clear here at Hayne House, that sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. As we enter the 2025 wedding season, more couples are planning weddings that celebrate their love and reflect their commitment to the planet—especially those who love the outdoors and travel.

1. Zero-Waste Weddings

Couples are moving towards zero-waste weddings to reduce their environmental footprint at every stage of the planning process, from invitations to décor.

At Hayne House, we’re seeing couples embrace this trend by:

• Digital Invitations – Swapping traditional paper invites for elegant e-invites.
• Reusable & Repurposed Décor – Choosing faux flowers, fabric instead of paper, and upcycled or repurposed signage.
• Sustainable Wedding Attire – Renting a wedding dress or suit or opting for second-hand, vintage, or ethically made outfits.
• Pre-Loved Bridesmaid Dresses: Consider buying second-hand dresses or encouraging bridesmaids to wear their own outfits that they can wear again and again.
• Ethical Choices: Choose conflict-free stones, fair-minded metals, or vintage jewellery, and avoid disposable flip-flops (see trend 9).

2. Sustainable Floral Arrangements

The trend of eco-conscious floral designs is growing to protect biodiversity, with couples opting for locally sourced flowers, dried blooms, or potted plants.

At Hayne House, we support this by working with florists who specialise in:

• Locally Sourced and seasonal Blooms – Supporting local farmers and reducing carbon emissions.
• Potted Plants – Elegant centrepieces that can be gifted or replanted after the wedding.
• Biodegradable Confetti – Petal-based or eco-friendly confetti that won’t harm the environment. Ask about our carefully sourced confetti upgrade.

3. Eco-Conscious Wedding Gifts & Favours

Instead of single-use wedding favours, couples are shifting towards planet-friendly gifts that create a lasting impact:

• Seed Packets – A meaningful way to let love grow.
• Reusable Items – Bamboo straws or cloth napkins that can be washed and used repeatedly.
• Edible Favours – Locally sourced honey, artisan chocolates, or jams in recyclable packaging.
• Charitable Donations – More couples purchase charity lottery tickets for guests, allowing them to win while supporting a great cause.

Alternatively, many couples are asking guests to donate to a meaningful cause close to their hearts in place of traditional gifts.

4. Choosing a Sustainable Wedding Venue

More couples are selecting wedding venues with strong sustainability initiatives to minimise their impact. At Hayne House, we are committed to this movement through:

• Solar Power – Our solar panels provide renewable energy.
• Rainwater Harvesting – Our rainwater harvesting system keeps the gardens lush naturally.
• Eco Lodges – Guests can stay on the broader estate in eco-friendly lodges, reducing travel emissions.
• Composting – We compost garden, bar, and kitchen waste to minimise landfill impact.
• Promoting biodiversity: by sourcing responsibly and improving garden practices, we positively enhance biodiversity and promote pollinators on site.
• Advocacy: through initiatives, sharing what we do and collaborating with suppliers we work relentlessly to drive change in our industry and promote sustainable behaviours.

5. Sustainable & Plant-Based Wedding Menus

Our Conscious Menu promotes seasonal dishes and shows our couples the carbon footprint of each dish to inform them about sustainable choices.  

Couples also increasingly embrace plant-based wedding menus as a sustainable, ethical, and delicious alternative. Our catering partners, Scott Anderson, specialise in:

Locally Sourced Ingredients – Using seasonal produce to reduce food miles.

• Eco-Friendly Wedding Cakes – Bakers using organic, Fairtrade ingredients and seasonal fruits.

6. Travel & Transport: Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

With sustainability in mind, more couples are encouraging low-carbon wedding travel by:

• Carpooling & Ride Sharing – Setting up a WhatsApp group to coordinate transport.
• Eco-Friendly Travel Options—In their digital invites, couples suggest using public transport or hiring an electric vehicle where possible. At Hayne House, we have a direct train line to London and the coast in our village Saltwood.

7. Ethical & Sustainable Beauty Choices

The demand for sustainable beauty continues to grow, with couples opting for:

• Cruelty-Free, Vegan Makeup – Ethical brands that align with their values.
• Locally-Made Beauty Products – Supporting small businesses with sustainable ingredients.
• Eco-Friendly Hair & Beauty Professionals – Stylists who prioritise low-impact beauty products.

8. Sustainable & Ethical Drink Choices

At Hayne House, our drinks offering comprises local, sustainability-sourced products, with minimal packaging and waste, to reduce our negative impact on biodiversity. 

Where ever possible, we source organic wines, drinks and spirits, picking like-minded suppliers or B Corps.

Drinks menus are also becoming more sustainable, with couples choosing:

• Organic & Biodynamic Wines – Sourced from vineyards using organic farming.
• Sustainable Spirits & Cocktails – Distilleries focusing on ethical sourcing and carbon neutrality.
• Seasonal Cocktails: Skip a strawberry daiquiri in winter in favour of seasonally available ingredients.
• Plastic-Free Garnishes & Straws – Use biodegradable or herb-based stirrers like rosemary.
• Water Stations – Provide a water station to keep everyone hydrated  
• Local & Craft Breweries – Supporting independent businesses to reduce transportation emissions. Here at Hayne House, more of our couples are opting for our Kentish Drinks Package, which highlights locally sourced wines and spirits.

9. Ditch the Flip-Flops: A Small Change with a Big Impact

Many couples love offering flip-flops for guests to wear on the dance floor, often with a sign saying, “A little treat for your dancing feet.” However, traditional flip-flops are made from non-biodegradable plastic, contributing to landfill waste and ocean pollution.

Instead, couples are encouraging guests to bring their comfortable shoes with a thoughtful note in the wedding invitation:

Invitation Wording Idea:

“We love a good dance party, but we won’t be providing flip-flops in the spirit of sustainability. Instead, we invite you to bring your favourite dancing shoes or go barefoot under the Orangery stars—let’s keep the planet as happy as our feet!”

Alternatively, couples are suggesting:

• Bring your own slippers – Reusable and ideal for winter weddings.
• Socks for Dancing – Fun, colourful, and easy to take home.
• Encouraging Barefoot Dancing – A relaxed option for indoor dancing

This small but impactful change keeps the celebration eco-friendly without compromising on comfort, keeping the dance floor full!

10. Planning an Ethical Minimoon or Honeymoon

Rather than heading straight off on a long-haul honeymoon, minimoons are becoming increasingly popular to avoid post-wedding blues while planning a more significant, more sustainable trip later. 

At Hayne House, we understand that weddings can be emotionally overwhelming, and taking a mini-vacation—especially when your venue is just 28 miles from France as the crow flies—offers couples the perfect opportunity to unwind, reconnect, and focus on their well-being before returning to daily life as a happily married couple.

We see more couples prioritising mental health and choosing slow, restorative travel experiences that align with their values. Sustainable options include:

• Wellness Retreats – Nature-based getaways, spa retreats, or digital detox breaks to fully relax and recharge.
• Eco-Tourism Travel Agents – Booking through specialists in responsible travel.
• Eco-Friendly Resorts – Staying in hotels and lodges prioritising conservation and well-being.
• Low-Impact Travel – By choosing an ethical minimoon or honeymoon, couples can begin their married life feeling refreshed, balanced, and connected while making meaningful travel choices that support their mental well-being and the planet.

Find out more about the Sustainability Wedding Alliance and the work we do.

Start Your Eco-Friendly Wedding Journey with Hayne House

Planning a sustainable wedding doesn’t mean compromising on beauty or elegance. At Hayne House, we’re here to support your eco-conscious vision and help you create a stunning and sustainable wedding.

To further encourage environmentally friendly choices, we offer couples incentives and prizes for incorporating sustainable initiatives into their wedding plans. Every small step towards sustainability makes a big difference see our 2024 winners on Instagram.

Watch this space for next year’s trends! Each year, we’re inspired by the creativity of our couples. We’ll be sharing your innovative ideas from real weddings on how to make your big day even greener. Could your idea be next?

Ready to plan your dream wedding? Contact us today to find out how Hayne House can make your special day unforgettable for you and the planet.

For more inspiration, explore:

A Blog For Recently Engaged Conscious Couples 

Sustainably Stylish: Your Eco-Honeymoon

Sustainably Stylish: Your Wedding Favours

Boho Chic with thanks to: