Eco Friendly Wedding

Green events are big in the news now so how do you try and create your perfect day whilst being as green as possible.

Here are a few ideas of what you can do to be as green as possible;

E invites are very popular and can sometimes be quicker than traditional postal invites. These can be personalised but some do feel that it lacks the personality of traditional.

Online RSVP - websites can be set up for your big day which can serve as a multi purpose portal. You can display your wedding list, set up a honeymoon fund and get people to e sign your wedding book as well as uploading photos of the day.

Sourcing local food and produce - This will lower your carbon emissions so be greener. As well as having high quality food whilst helping the local economy.

Venues - Nordic Tipi tents or bamboo tents are often seen for weddings and add a slightly different feel to your day. These are available for hire and look truly stunning. Or what about getting married at a conservation centre where again the money for the venue hire gets put back into the restoration or projects they are working on.

Bougainfetti - This light, thin petal comes from the Caribbean and is available in many colours. This is biodegradable and are not artificially coloured. These add a special something to photos, table decorations or to be used instead of confetti.

Honeymoons - Plenty of Eco friendly destinations around the world and hotels that boast strong sustainability programmes. There are many Eco lodges around the world and one of these is the Lapa Rios Eco Lodge in Central America. Six Senses Spa and Resorts are one of the hotel chains that also offer strong Eco friendly and socially responsible programmes. Or a increasing number of honeymooners are opting for volunteering and there are a couple of companies that focus particularly on this for the newly weds,

Honeymoon Destination that’s off the beaten track slightly

With more and more couples stepping away from wedding lists as the cost of weddings increase and the demand for the multiple pasta dishes decrease. We see lots of newlyweds asking for money to be donated for their honey moon instead and with many travel agents offering this facility it is a great way for couples to plan and enjoy their honeymoon without having to worry too much about the financial restraint. So once your account has been set up where do you decide to go to? Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles and Caribbean Destinations are just as popular as ever but what about the less well known destinations that can offer you the same luxury but are ever so slightly off the beaten track. Here at ESC weddings we thought that we would explore one of these alternative destinations that truly does have the wow factor to ensure that you’re once in a lifetime experience continues as husband and wife.

La Reunion is a French outer seas island in the Indian Ocean. It is positioned between Mauritius and Madagascar. This diverse and beautiful island is approx. 11.5 hours flight time from the UK via changing in France. The euro is used here and French is the official language although Reunion Creole is spoken in lots of places.

This mini Hawaii landscape means that in the space of an hour or two, you can see lava fields, jagged peaks, and lush forest to coastal cities. The beaches are beautiful sandy beaches around the area of St Gilles but volcanic black sand beaches can also be found in some parts of the island. The volcano is still active and can be visited which is well worth a trip whilst you are here – Piton de la Fournaise is one of the world’s most accessible volcanoes.

One of the best resorts to stay at is Grand Hotel Du Lagon which is a five star property that overlooks a coral lagoon. It has its own creole style and has its own pools and restaurants whilst set in this idyllic setting. If this doesn’t quite fit into your budget then La Reunion is home to small family run hotels, B and B’s as well as a couple of branded hotels so everybody is catered for.

As this island isn’t as widely visited by tourists as its neighbouring Mauritius you will find it widely untouched. It suits those that want peace and quiet but also those that would like to go out and explore.



Bon Voyage as they say in the native tongue.

Planning your wedding in a historic building

For many people, getting married in their dream location, means getting married in a big old house or stately home. Many buildings, even well-known ones, offer wedding packages, and are experienced in hosting weddings. However – that doesn’t mean that holding your wedding in a historic building is without its challenges. A good planner can help you navigate these pitfalls, but it’s worth knowing about the issues yourself so that you can ask the right questions and plan the wedding you really want. Here is a few pointers for you to bear in mind when planning your big day.

• Most historic buildings have restrictions on the caterers that can be used. You’ll need to choose from an approved list of people that the building owners know and trust. So if your dream is a hog roast but the caterers at the venue you are considering only offer a formal sit-down meal, then you may need to look elsewhere.
•  If you want exclusivity, you’re going to need to pay a lot of money. If houses are private and regularly host weddings, then you will likely find that the house has several areas available to rent and other weddings will be hosted at the same time, unless you pay for exclusivity. If the building is open to the public, then at least a portion of your wedding is likely to take place during opening hours. Bear in mind that public areas may overlap or join onto the area reserved for your wedding, and ask staff how they manage this.
• Decor may be restricted. You may not be able to choose your own florist (venues often include a table and floral package) or have limitations on table decorations – some may not allow candles with naked flames, but you could get around this by using battery candles. If these things are central to your vision, then ask these questions early on.
• Many venues (and not just old or historic ones) now do not allow confetti, or only allow biodegradable or natural petal confetti. Let your guests know well in advance (perhaps on the invitation) not to bring any of the banned confetti – or let them know that you will supply.
• Many historic venues do not allow smoking anywhere on their premises – including outside. Be sure to ask about this when you make enquiries if you have family or friends who would be put out by it.
• Ask the venue about their recommended photo opportunities and maybe hunt around for some of your own, as you never know what you might find.
• Ask the venue about timing restrictions, as some historic buildings may need you out earlier than you wish.

There are so many historic buildings in the UK that offer fantastic facilities for weddings. If you have any historic buildings that you rate or even have stories about then please let us know.