Environmental sustainability is so important. And when it comes to parties, it's no exception. Our Memory Makers are committed to helping you make a positive step to minimising your environmental impact (and saving you money at the same time!) so here are some top tips to reduce waste whilst hosting a party everyone will enjoy.
Get the word out
A great way to start is to send your invitations out digitally. Go paperless and create an online event with a customised email invitation to easily track RSVPs. Creating an e-vite using an online template library like Canva has never been easier, with plenty of beautifully designed templates to choose from. And if your party has a theme or dress code, include a link to a curated Pinterest board to really wow your guests and bring your celebration to life.
If you do want to send a postal invite, use recycled paper or get creative and use cotton or bamboo paper. Our personal favourite is "seedpaper", which encourages your guests to plant after the party and watch the flowers grow! You could even make your own botanical, natural plant-based inks at home.
If you're including gift registry information in your invite, consider adding a list of sustainable suppliers or letting guests know that they can donate to a chosen charity or plant a tree in place of a present.
From florals to favours – we've got your table covered
When it comes to decorating your venue, it's time to forget single-use and go eco. Our flexible party spaces can be arranged to suit your theme or style perfectly, and our Memory Makers can help suggest sustainable decorations with some ideas below to get you started.
Reduce
Create a beautiful tablescape by scattering rose petals paired with artificial, silk, or faux flowers. Highlight the details with a contrasting linen tablecloth and tea lights for the added wow factor. For the perfect Instagram-worthy backdrop choose an eco-friendly balloon arch made of biodegradable latex. At the end of your party, dismantle and give to guests as favours, or share on social media for someone to collect who has an event the next day.
Reuse
Upcycling is very on-trend with lots of inspiration on TikTok. Repurpose household materials such as fabric scraps into bunting, bottles and jars for vases, and old chalkboards to write messages on.
Washable crockery, utensils, glassware, tablecloths and napkins are used as standard in our Marriott hotel party venues to eliminate single-use plastic and polystyrene, meaning zero waste.
Recycle
When it comes to goodie bags, ditch the plastic and use recyclable materials like paper, cardboard or fabric. Pop all sorts of environmentally friendly favours inside, such as seeds, soaps or homemade gifts. Encourage guests to reuse the bags for other occasions.
When it comes to your next party, adjusting your mindset from disposable to reusable is not just easy, it's fun too! So, here's to the party of the year… which can help the environment for years to come.