Green up your wedding plans for a sustainable big day

Credit: Lemontree PhotographySustainability will continue to be a key trend for weddings moving forward, confirms award-winning Hampshire-based florist Jo Hicks www.johicksflowers.co.uk.

Jo, regional winner of The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA) South Central title, incorporates planet-friendly practices in her business by using biodegradable floral foam in her arrangements where ever possible, floral trays and dishes which can be returned to be used again and recycling plastics.  

"Looking to the future, it may even be worth florists introducing incentives, especially for weddings, by giving people an allowance on plastic items returned for re-use. We also use long-burning candles more than once and offer discounts to customers who are keen to minimise waste," she adds.

Things to look out for when choosing your wedding florist
Jo suggests: 

• Reduced packaging
• Paper and tissue wrappings instead of cellophane
• Cardboard boxes for display and sending out wedding bouquets
• Locally grown flowers to reduce travel miles from grower to supplier
• Simple swaps back to more traditional techniques such as avoiding plastic bouquet holders
• Blooms without any artificial dyes or paints