Most modern couples opt for a gift registry when planning their wedding. It makes it easier for guests to decide what to buy for you, and you have a higher likelihood of getting gifts that you’ll actually use.
A gift registry is also an option if you’re looking for non-traditional gifts for your wedding. For example, many registries offer the option of donating to a honeymoon or house-buying fund. If you’re worried about the waste associated with the wedding industry, gift registries also allow you to add sustainable options for your guests. Here are a few ideas for how to make your gift registry more sustainable.
Add Donation Options Instead of Gifts
If you and your future spouse have a cause that is near and dear to your heart, you can add an option for guests to donate to charity on your behalf instead of purchasing a gift.
Most modern registries allow you to create an option to donate cash instead of purchasing a gift. When you sign up with an easy online registry, set up a wishing well, where guests can give you cash instead of purchasing from a different site. In the description, explain that you will be donating whatever you receive to charity.
Another option is to create a registry just for charitable gifts. Instead of a honeymoon or travel fund, guests can donate directly to a charity fund.
People want to give something to a couple for their wedding, but if you already have everything that you need for your life together, directing them towards a donation option reduces waste because your house won’t be full of things that you don’t need. Donating to a favourite ecology charity is one way to make your wedding more sustainable.
Pick Sustainable Gifts
When picking out options for your wedding registry, add items with an eye towards sustainability. Your wedding registry is an opportunity for guests to help you make your home more eco-friendly. Add sustainable supplies such as beeswax wrap, glass Tupperware, and glass dishware to your registry. Avoid objects made of non-renewable materials, especially plastic.
Another way to make your choice of gifts more sustainable is to only pick items that you know you’ll use. Overconsumption is one of the leading sources of household waste, which amounts to 12.4 million tonnes annually in Australia.
You don’t want to go overboard when putting together your registry and add things that you know you will never use, which will only wind up in storage or in a landfill. Only add things that you know will find good use in your home.
Link to Eco-Friendly Stores
Another way to make your gift registry more sustainable is to change where you have guests purchase gifts from. Modern registry sites don’t limit you to a few major retailers when picking out your gift registry. The best ones let you completely customise your registry site and link to any retailer, which allows for online orders, including local, Australia-based producers.
Rather than choosing big retailers who are responsible for tonnes of waste and emissions each year, choose stores that you know prioritise sustainability. These include retailers that use renewable materials, are transparent about emissions, and minimise plastic waste in packaging.
Your guests will want to give you gifts that align with your values. If you link to your favourite eco-friendly stores and do a little research about which retailers align with your values, your guests will be happy to purchase from them.
Ask for Higher-Quality Gifts
Another way to make your gift registry more sustainable is to ask for higher-quality gifts. Put a range of gifts on your registry for all budgets. While some guests will not be able to buy the highest-quality item, others will want to splurge a bit more for your special day.
Buying higher-quality items is important for sustainability because they are more likely to last. When you don’t need to replace something or throw it away, that reduces waste and is far better for the environment.
Creating a Sustainable Gift Registry
Adapting a mindful approach to your gift registry is one way that you can reduce the carbon footprint associated with your special day. When putting together your registry, list things that you know you will actually use and that will last you several years. Give guests the option to purchase eco-friendly items from sustainable shops or donate money instead of buying items.
A modern, easy-to-use registry site will allow you to customise your registry so it reflects your values and needs. Your wedding and marriage aren’t going to be like any other, so your gift registry shouldn’t be either.
