There is the impression that sustainability is the exclusive domain of the tireless green lobbyist or passionate activist braving a world full of stubborn opposition. The reality is that sustainable actions occur at every level, while a passion to build a better future shows through even in the seemingly smallest of actions.

As Malaysia’s First Certified Green Wedding Professional, Eventistry allows everyday Malaysians to create socially responsible, environmentally-friendly and sustainable celebrations.

From weddings to baby showers to corporate events, the full-service event planning company is not only spreading awareness of low-waste and green celebrations but helping to empower future leaders of sustainability as well.

In collaboration with EcoKnights, Eventistry wants to share the experiences of Karen and CP whose wedding proved to be one of the most sustainable and socially-conscious celebrations the company has planned thus far.

Here are some of the steps the eco-conscious bride and groom took to create their green wedding:

•  VENUE

Travel, especially by vehicle, is one of the leading contributors to carbon emissions in major cities worldwide. Conscious of this fact, Karen and CP chose the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre as the venue for their wedding due to its close proximity to the majority of their guests. This small but impactful decision minimized the amount of travel required for guests to attend their wedding, while further encouraging guests to consider other environmentally-friendly options such as carpooling and public transportation.

• THE THREE R’s

Reduce, reuse and recycle. By reusing the décor from the morning ceremony for the wedding reception, Karen and CP managed to substantially reduce the carbon footprint of their wedding. For example, the graceful arch where the couple made their vows in front of their families and friends later served as a photo booth and backdrop during the reception. Meanwhile, the table used for when Karen and CP registered as a married couple was also used as the table for the wedding cake. Lastly, no single-use plastic utensils were used throughout the reception. As minor as they may seem, these often-overlooked actions go a long way in reducing our carbon footprint. 

•  E-INVITE

Rather than making hundreds of physical invitations for your wedding, why not go paperless and send out digital invitations instead? This is what Karen and CP did for their wedding as the couple opted to send out e-invites to their guests via WhatsApp.  Not only do you save on cost, you can also reduce reliance on environmentally damaging materials by going paperless.

• WEDDING FAVORS

Did you know that something as routine as a wedding favor or door gift can actually empower sustainable living? For their wedding, Karen and CP gave out seed jars from Eats, Shoots & Roots – a social enterprise empowering urban communities to grow their own food – to their guests. A total of nine different seeds jars were given out as wedding favors, comprising bird’s eye chili, cucumber, ladies’ fingers, brinjal, Pak Choy, French bean, long bean, Thai basil and cilantro. It is the gift that keeps on giving!

•  FOOD DONATION

Alongside single-use plastics, food wastage is among the prevailing issues challenging Malaysia’s transition into a sustainable future. The eco-conscious couple were determined to give back and saved some 20kg of excess food that would otherwise have gone to waste and shared them with 68 orphanages. This was in partnership with What A Waste – a social enterprise that aims to reduce food wastage by rescuing surplus food and donating it to marginalized communities. This highlights the strong social element that is indispensable to any sustainable action.

•  WEDDING CAKE

Karen and CP’s green wedding celebration was topped off by the wedding cake which featured two love birds symbolizing the love between the bride and groom as well as the groom’s passion for bird watching. This was a largely symbolic gesture but one which was backed by a host of sustainable and green actions throughout the course of their wedding.

These are only some of the ways to have a socially responsible, low-waste and sustainable celebration. The fact is that eco-conscious celebrations are a relatively new concept in Malaysia and the region.

By sharing Karen and CP’s experiences in creating their unforgettable green wedding, we hope that more people can be inspired to go green and sustainable in the most unique and impactful ways you can be. To learn more about how you, too, can have a green celebration, do not hesitate to visit Eventistry’s official website at www.eventistry.my