If you’re wedding planning and looking for ways to minimize the environmental impact of a wedding, an elopement is a great way to do that! With some extra planning, you can make your big day beautiful and sustainable. Perhaps you’ve dreamed of proclaiming your love from a mountaintop by a quiet lake or in a private cabin; practicing eco-friendly habits ensures Colorado stays beautiful. Practicing these methods will also help preserve Colorado’s natural beauty for generations. I will share Leave No Trace principles and other ideas to help reduce your waste. These tips will allow you to have your dream day while being eco-friendly. Here are a few ways to help plan a sustainable elopement in Denver, Colorado.
Educate Yourself on Leave No Trace Principles + Plan Ahead.
One of the best ways to have a sustainable and eco-friendly elopement is to follow the Leave No Trace (LNT) principles. These rules and principles help protect nature for everyone to enjoy!
Key Leave No Trace Principles For a Sustainable Denver Colorado Elopement:
- Plan Ahead + be Prepared. It’s important to research the area and get a good idea of the location’s rules and expectations for visitors. Be mindful of choosing a location that can handle visitors.
- Travel and Camp at Designated Camp Sites —While adventuring is fun, it’s important to stick to established trails and avoid trampling on delicate landscapes.
- Dispose of Waste Properly – Take it out if you’re camping or bringing anything to your ceremony site. All food scraps, trash, and things not from the area must be removed. Bringing flower petals, whether real or fake, confetti or smoke bombs, all pose a threat to the natural environment and can harm wildlife.
- Leave What You Find— Try to avoid taking a momento from your stay while camping. I know it’s tempting but it’s important to keep things as they are!
By taking the time to learn and educate yourself on sustainable practices, you can help maintain Colorado’s natural beauty for years to come.
Prioritize Sustainable Travel & Lessen Your Impact on the Environment
While many elopement locations require travel, consider finding more sustainable methods for how you get there. Consider carpooling to your location or driving a fuel-efficient car. If you’re inviting guests to join you, carpooling, or group shuttles are a simple, eco-friendly way to lessen your impact on the environment. Alternatively, electric or hybrid vehicles minimize emissions from long road trips! Another way to plan a sustainable Denver, Colorado elopement is to camp in specified camp sites. While it may seem fun to forge your own space and camp in unique places, it’s not the best for the environment. This allows the environment to be respected while you can enjoy yourself! Lastly, if you plan to elope in a specific spot, consider hiking there instead of driving! Not only will the memories be great but it’s a great sustainable option.
Support Local Businesses at Your Sustainable Denver Colorado Elopement
Lastly, supporting local vendors and businesses is a great way to make your elopement more sustainable. Choosing local vendors is a simple way to help lessen the emissions of those who would have to travel while supporting the area’s economy. Perhaps you choose a florist who sources native and seasonal flowers, or maybe you opt for dried flowers. Both of these options are simple ways to lend to a sustainable elopement. Even your attire can be sustainable. Consider renting a wedding dress or thrifting your dress! All of these choices contribute to an eco-friendly elopement.
Being able to elope in the natural beauty of Colorado is an incredible blessing, and with careful planning, we can help future generations experience it as well. By following these simple tips you can do your part to help keep nature beautiful for all to enjoy!
Are you considering a Denver elopement and looking for the perfect photographer to capture it all? Let’s chat!
