10 ways to embrace eco-sustainable wedding flowers
Photographer: Caro Weiss
Natalya Ayers is a florist, floral artist and grower. We recently caught up with Natalya to talk all things eco-sustainable florals.
Formerly based in Scotland – where she co-founded the botanical studio, Pyrus – she relocated to the mountains of Northern Italy to establish Sylva, a regenerative growing project combining flowers with her creative studio. A pioneer and passionate advocate for the British flowers movement, Natalya has brought her environmental ethos to Italy, specialising in seasonal, naturally grown flowers for special weddings, events and installations throughout the country.
Being a farmer-florist affords an understanding of the flowers from seed to vase, creating an intimate connection between the materials and designs while promoting sustainable practices that care for our beautiful world.
Natalya shares this knowledge and gives 10 actionable tips on how to make your wedding flowers more sustainable and kind to the environment.
1. Find a florist that fits your ethos
If sustainability matters to you, finding like-minded suppliers is key to achieving the ethical wedding of your dreams. Look for farmer-florists, or florists that regularly partner with local growers. Organisations like SlowFlowers Italy are great resources to find vendors in your chosen region.
Ask your florist lots of questions from the get-go, we love it when couples are interested in our process and ethos! Choose a florist whose vision you trust and they will create magic on your wedding day.
Photo: Claire Fleck
2. Ask for seasonal flowers
From the outset make it clear that you would like seasonal wedding flowers, and find out what that means for the local area and time of year you are getting married.
Flowers in the height of summer might look quite different in the north of Italy to the tip of the boot in the south, and roses which are abundant in early summer probably won’t be available come autumn.
Being open to different flower varieties and trusting your florist’s creative vision is so important when embracing seasonal wedding flowers.
Photo: Agnes Black
3. Use local growers
If your florist doesn’t grow their own flowers, express an interest in using flower farmers local to the area. Not only are you supporting small local businesses this way, it also reduces crucial carbon flower miles, cutting the environmental impact of your wedding.
As an added bonus, your flowers will look and feel much more authentic if they are sourced locally.
Photo: Caro Weiss
“At the same time, choosing locally grown flowers ensures that you are making eco-conscious decisions and reducing the carbon footprint of your wedding, while supporting small artisan businesses who really care about their work, the environment and the local area.”
4. Consider living arrangements
Choosing potted plants or trees to dress your wedding can be a sustainable way to create impact and wow factor while caring for the environment.
Florists frequently create botanical installations using living trees and plants, hired or bought from local nurseries. There is no waste and the plants are repurposed or returned afterwards.
This can also be a great wedding hack for dealing with hot Italian summers, potted plants can endure the heat and will stay fresh for the entire day.
Photo: Caro Weiss
5. Say no to floral foam
The floral foam that some florists use to secure flowers is toxic, non-biodegradable and contributes to micro plastics in our oceans. Ask your florist to find ‘foam free’ solutions for your wedding flowers, if they regularly use foam in their designs.
Most florists working with locally grown seasonal flowers will also embrace eco-friendly techniques and have already eliminated floral foam from their studios.
Photo: Agnes Black
6. Avoid single use plastic
Tell your florist that you would like to avoid single use plastic at your wedding, and ask them what they use for packaging.
There are many sustainable alternatives to plastics such as recycled paper or opting for reusable cable ties to secure botanical installations.
Photo: Caro Weiss
“As a farmer-florist who works with seasonal blooms, I know the impact that local flowers have - there is nothing more authentic than a venue dressed with flowers that truly represent the time and place.”
7. Opt for plant-dyed ethical silk ribbon
A luxurious ribbon is the finishing touch on bridal bouquets - ask for ethically produced silks, dyed naturally with plant pigments. Not only are plant-dyed silks beautiful but often you will be supporting a small, artisan business.
Some farmer-florists dye ribbons themselves using flowers from their garden which is even more special!
Photo: Caro Weiss
8. Ask your florist about compost
Ethically minded florists will often have a composting system that they use for green waste after events. Knowing that your flowers will be made into compost after your wedding brings peace of mind that waste is being minimised, while the flowers are being returned to the earth as a valuable asset to nurture new life.
Photo: Orange Photographie
9. Repurpose your flowers
Speak to your florist, wedding planner or venue about repurposing your flowers after the wedding.
Many florists have links to local charities and your flowers could have a second life distributed to a good cause, retirement home, or even given to venue staff afterwards. Everyone appreciates a bunch of flowers, they bring so much joy and this is a lovely way to keep the flowers blooming after your wedding day.
Photo: Lucy Davenport
10. Offset your wedding carbon footprint
Even the most ethically-minded couples create a carbon footprint associated with their destination wedding. Choosing to work with a local florist who uses 0km flowers reduces the impact but there is still a carbon cost, for example, the vans used to transport your flowers and crew to the venue. Use an online carbon calculator to figure out your wedding emissions and consider working with a company such as feast it to ensure that your wedding is giving back to valuable projects around the world.
Photo: Gabriela Silveira
Follow along with Natalya’s Italian Alps adventures over on her Instagram @natalyaayers
La Lista absolutely has your back when choosing ethical and passionate suppliers - it’s a massive job and we know you’ll only want the best. That’s why we only list suppliers who we know and trust in our directory. Our vetting system means you get excellence without any drama. Go and have a nosey!
Written by Beth Butler, wedding planner & marketing person; with a particular passion for editorial photography, wild florals and a good cup of tea.
