SUSTAINABLY YOURS…

As more couples seek eco-friendly ways to get married, The Lakes by YOO can accommodate your sustainable wedding without compromising on quality and style…

Hidden within 850 acres of stunning freshwater lakes, woodland and rambling meadows, this awardwinning private country estate has everything you could wish for in terms of location, accommodation and facilities. Sustainability is integral at The Lakes by YOO and a huge investment has allowed areas of the estate to be left to develop naturally, with more than 500,000 trees planted, natural ponds and a mini farm offering shelter to rescue animals. With a diverse choice of venues available, this is the ideal place for couples who enjoy the great outdoors and being at one with nature in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Locally Sourced

Local food and drink are a must for eco-friendly catering, and offering a seasonal menu is a simple way to cut down on processed or artificially ripened foods. The Lakes by YOO has compiled a list of local caterers for you to create a bespoke wedding menu. Facilitating local suppliers will have a major impact on the carbon footprint of your wedding. Incorporating local organic produce will also help smaller farming communities thrive, and this way you’ll know exactly where your food is coming from!

Preloved Bridalwear

There are many reasons why a bride might opt for a second-hand dress, and one is that it’s environmentally friendly to give a wedding dress that’s in good condition another trip down the aisle. You may want to hold on to tradition by wearing your mother’s or grandmother’s dress. Keeping it in the family will add a touch of nostalgia to your wedding theme and you’ll have that special connection on your wedding day. The tradition of wearing your mother’s wedding dress dates back to ancient times, when it was thought that the dress would absorb some of her good luck and pass it on to you. It’s a lovely sentiment and a beautiful way to honour your mum, while doing your bit to save the planet! There are lots of worn-once dresses available online, and with fashions constantly changing, you could bag yourself a beautiful dress at a bargain price and have a dressmaker customise it to your own bespoke design. Want a new dress made with sustainable fabrics? There are stockists of ethical wedding gowns made with mindful fabrics that have a lower impact on the environment, such as hemp silks and organic ‘peace’ satins. Whether you’re an eco-conscious brideto-be or maybe vegan and looking for a dress that sits well with your values, there are beautiful styles available at several bridal couture outlets.

All Inclusive

Here at The Lakes by YOO, we’re experts at hosting exclusive events. Having your ceremony and reception in one place removes the need for guests to travel from one location to another, which can make a massive difference to your carbon footprint. We offer spectacular accommodation, including a stunning five-bedroomed manor house, as well as lakeside apartments and cabins.

Attire For Hire

Finding the right formalwear for the groom and groomsmen is important, but if you’re not generally suit wearers, it makes sense to hire rather than buy. It will make it easier to be coordinated, plus hiring is the environmentally friendly option, especially for a traditional morning suit, as it’ll likely only be worn once.

Flower Power

When choosing flowers, consider the carbon footprint of transporting them from overseas, not to mention exploitation issues in the supply chain. We can help you find reputable florists who supply local, seasonal, freshly cut flowers. For centrepieces, why not opt for potted orchids, roses and other flowering plants? These can be reused in the home or gifted after the event.

Invitations

If you prefer traditional handwritten invitations, consider using recycled paper and vegetable-based inks. Some brands even offer paper containing seeds. Or go paperless and work with a graphic designer to create email invitations. There are also free wedding websites that provide updates for your guests, saving both time and money.

Things To Consider

Time Of Year

In summer, the natural heat and light will keep your guests comfortable without the need for artificial heating and lighting – very eco-friendly!

Group Transport

Fewer cars will help reduce emissions, so why not organise a bus or a coach to transport guests to your wedding?

Favours

Give a gift to help the environment, such as packs of wildflower seeds or home-made birdseed favours, vegan candles, eco-friendly wedding favour crackers and pretty lotus flowers made with organic seed paper.

Confetti

Biodegradable confetti is easy to make using tissue paper, dried-flower petals or fresh rose petals, or try seasonal leaves such as oak – anything as long as it’s dye-free and compostable!