Supplier case studies
Our ethical wedding suppliers are doing some great things so we thought we'd give you the chance to find out a bit more about them and why they think green weddings are the way forward!
Motasem - wear again wedding dresses
Sabina at Motasem designs cocktail-style wedding dresses that can be worn again and again after the big day. She is passionate about creating clothes that flatter women, in styles that are timeliness and elegant, making them feel sexy and comfortable whilst being a little bit different.
In February 2007, Sabina was fortunate enough to spend time with the late Dame Anita Roddick, who advised her on how to develop her ethical ideas for Motasem and was incredibly inspiring and supportive. She is delighted to be now in a position to put these ideas into action. Weddings can be so unnecessarily wasteful and expensive but at Motasem, customers have the option to select organic fabrics, and they are all in styles brides can wear again.
Read more about Motasem - wear again wedding dresses
Fifi Bijoux - ethical jewellery
Vivien Johnston launched Fifi Bijoux in 2006 to offer people an ethical jewellery option, sourcing gold and precious stones from fair trade small scale artisanal mines.
The environmental impact of mining is also a big concern for Vivien who feels that the most sustainable solution to the extreme poverty which is suffered by the artisanal miners is to manage the land without the use of chemicals and to regenerate mined land by replacing topsoil and promoting re-growth of indigenous plants and trees.
Fifi Bijoux offers a bespoke engagement and wedding ring design service to make sure that each couple gets their perfect ring, within their budget.
Vivien says: "I still get the jitters the day I know someone is being proposed to and it's a surprise. But as soon as I get the call ‘SHE SAID YES!' I have a glass of champagne and go about grinning for the next 3 days...To have played a little part in the romance of surprise proposals and wedding days is a real treat! "
Read more about Fifi Bijoux - ethical jewellery
Gants Mill - green wedding venue
Gants Mill is the perfect green wedding venue. A family run 50 acre sheep farm with a wonderful working watermill, the history of the Mill goes back to before the Conquest, and it is still used to grind barley for the sheep and show to visitors.The Mill has been producing hydro electricity since 2004 - feeding clean energy straight into the National Grid and giving Gants Mill a virtually non-existent carbon footprint.
The Mill has been in the family for years and the aim is to keep the place going for generations to come. Offering the Mill as a green wedding venue was a natural choice for the family, as it complements existing activities and can help maintain the wonderful Mill.
It is a magical place. Most visitors quickly fall in love with the beautiful surroundings, but many also come to share the family's enthusiasm for ensuring the Mill remains sustainable.
Read more about Gants Mill - green wedding venue
Conscious Elegance - eco-friendly wedding dresses
Third-generation dressmaker, Lori del Genis, wanted to give women and children an alternative to the chemically-laden, assembly-line, factory created gowns that were available only in limited sizes. Lori's eco-friendly wedding dresses help brides feel fabulous inside and out!
Lori is inspired by visits to historical costume museums and the imagination of little girls at play. As a result, her wedding dresses are beautiful, comfortable and provide plenty of freedom to move, or run!
With the option to have your eco-friendly wedding gown made into an outfit for your children, Lori can make your dress about so much more than just one day.
Read more about Conscious Elegance - eco-friendly wedding dresses
Ingle & Rhode - ethical jewellery designers
Ethical jewellery designers, Ingle & Rhode create engagement rings and wedding bands from fairly traded gold produced without cyanide or mercury.
As a symbol of love that should last a lifetime, they feel it is important that couples know where their wedding jewellery has come from.
They are inspired by the people of the EcoAndina Foundation in Argentina who work on mining projects that minimise environmental impact and from whom they source their gold.
Ingle & Rhode are optimistic about the future of the ethical wedding movement and are determined to challenge the common misconception that being ethical means compromising on quality or price.
Read more about Ingle & Rhode - ethical jewellery designers
The RSA - London green wedding venue
The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce) is striving to offer a green wedding venue (for civil ceremonies and receptions) in the heart of London.From its beginnings in 1754 through to the current day, the RSA has always been about making a difference by encouraging and supporting innovation and creativity throughout society.
Now, in line with one of their five manifesto challenges for the 21st century, 'Moving Towards a Zero-Waste Society', they are trying to make their venue and services as ethical and green as possible, supporting local producers, recycling 75% of their waste and being as energy-efficient as they can - besides which being located in central London with its excellent transport links means it makes sense for wedding guests to leave their cars at home!
Read more about The RSA - London green wedding venue
Organic Buffet - organic caterers
Vincent Charles runs Organic Buffet, an organic catering company based in Berkshire which is registered to the foodservice and organic catering code of practice of the Soil Association. Vincent credits his French roots for his passion for natural, organic food. Food is a big part of life in France and family and friends gathering around the table brings back great memories.
When it comes to weddings, he loves the whole process. From the first email enquiring about catering to the big day itself. The work behind it, preparation, decoration, choice of food, colours, themes - just seeing everything coming together.
Read more about Organic Buffet - organic caterers
