5 Eco Friendly Wedding Venues in the UK

White weddings are out and green weddings are in. Planning to tie the knot but wondering how to keep it sustainable? You’re not alone: according to AP News, two in every three engaged couples want to incorporate eco-conscious touches into their wedding, whether that’s minimising waste or reducing the carbon footprint. Likewise, BusinessWaste recently found that searches for ‘sustainable wedding’ have skyrocketed 75 percent over the past year. However, oftentimes, a large part of a wedding’s sustainability is in the hands of the venue – especially if they provide the food. Here are our favourite eco friendly wedding venues in the UK – as well as some top tips on how to have a sustainable wedding – so you can plan your dream day without harming the planet in the process.

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Gorgeous Eco Friendly Wedding Venues in the UK

Folly Farm Centre, Somerset

Best For: Countryside Retreat

With views across Chew Valley Lake and the Mendip Hills, this countryside sanctuary is a mere 10 miles from Bristol and Bath – but it feels like another world. Couples can choose between the converted barn, the Old Dairy or the glass atrium for their ceremony – or opt to say ‘I do’ outside instead. Either way, this eco-friendly wedding venue offers lovely nature views amid ancient woodland and restored 18th century farm buildings. All wedding packages include exclusive use as standard, with 20 rooms hosting up to 54 guests, and bell tents available to hire in the warmer months to host even more family members and friends. Even better, because Folly Farm Centre is owned by Avon Wildlife Trust, all profits go towards protecting wildlife and the natural environment. follyfarm.org

Lake Windermere

Silverholme Manor, Cumbria

Best For: Heritage Lovers

Part of the Graythwaite Estate on the shores of Lake Windemere, Silverholme Manor was built in 1820 and sensitively restored in 2013. It is the epitome of a romantic setting – countless poets were inspired by the stunning Lake District location, after all. Amid 5000 acres of natural beauty, Silverholme Manor is additionally carbon neutral (with biomass woodchip boilers, a hydroelectric turbine and a hydroplant, and collected and treated rainwater providing 90 per cent of the estate’s water), drawing on trusted local suppliers who know the location well to provide wedding day services. For animal lovers, the estate is home to a plethora of birds, red and roe deer, badgers and foxes – among other animals – creating a natural haven on your doorstep. graythwaite.com

The Petersham, London

Best For: Plant Parents

If you’re the kind of ecowarrior who loves being surrounded by greenery as much as you love protecting it, then The Petersham is for you. Nestled amid the hustle and bustle of London – in Covent Garden, no less – this venue is an eco sanctuary for city dwellers. Offering plot to plate dining and an expert floristry team with seasonal blooms on hand, nature is at the heart of The Petersham, and it pays off for a beautifully verdant day. If you’d like an even greener setting, head to their Richmond branch, Petersham Nursuries, which holds a Green Michelin Star and is located right by the idyllic Richmond Park. petershamnurseries.com

Kew Gardens, London

Best For: A Blank (But Iconic) Canvas

Kew Gardens has it all: smaller venues for intimate (or even micro) weddings, traditional architecture for classical weddings, unique greenhouses for unforgettably atmospheric weddings, and spotless sustainable credentials to boot. Aiming to be climate positive by 2030, Kew is a highly sought after wedding venue regardless of its sustainability – but what better way to give back to the eco powerhouse than by planning your wedding there? With a list of approved suppliers to ensure the heritage of the venue is maintained, the world’s largest botanical garden provides ample space for your guests in a verdant setting, across a whopping 300 acres. kew.org

fforest Farm, Pembrokeshire

Best For: Slow Living & Vegan Diets

Across 200 acres close to a river estuary (perfect for wild swimming lovers) and the Cardigan coast, the family-owned fforest Farm provides wedding celebrations across barns, tipis, terraces, a pub, and, of course, their expansive grounds, before hosting the entire family to settle down for the night in a Georgian farmhouse, cabins or geodesic domes. Sourcing everything locally and even producing their own vegetables and beer, fforest is ideal for slow-life lovers, and is well-placed to host vegan weddings, working with their clients to create a menu that reflect their ethics and beliefs. fforestweddings.co.uk

Top Tips for an Eco Friendly Wedding

DO

• Choose a venue or caterer that sources food locally
• Consider renting your dress or veil
• Donate leftovers to local charities and homelessness shelters
• Choose vendors that uplift their community with good labour practices and eco-credentials
• Consider using family heirlooms for engagements rings and wedding bands instead of buying new

DON’T

• Use paper or plastic confetti – opt for biodegradable confetti instead, like dried petals
• Print invitations or place cards on unrecyclable paper
• Ship cut flowers from far-flung places (or keep it at a minimum) – try potted plants or silk flowers instead
• Ask for gifts that you don’t need – ask for experiences, long-lasting investment pieces or, better still, donations to charity
• Rely on a venue that offsets their carbon to be sustainable – read our guide to avoiding greenwashing here

Featured Image: (c) Min An via Pexels