*By Kate Gill* Some millennials are vowing to protect the environment along with their relationships when they walk down the aisle ー with "zero waste" weddings. Given the potential for waste ー discarded florals, trimmings, and food ー an eco-friendly wedding is a lofty goal, but it can be done, according to Rachel Sylvester, a lifestyle editor at RealSimple.com. What constitutes "zero waste"? The goal, Sylvester said, is to orchestrate an event that doesn't produce any trash in a landfill. In other words, a wedding made from recyclable materials. Sylvester shared her tips with Cheddar to execute a zero waste wedding: **Communicate with Vendors:** Be transparent with your vendors about your environmental needs. "I think you just need to be very open with your vendors about zero waste," Sylvester said. **Focus on Florals:** Keep your floral arrangements simple. "There's always a focus on florals, and there's this idea that you need to have a ton of them," Sylvester said. Simplifying your floral decorations will help cut back on waste. Most importantly, she said, ask your florist to forgo using foam blocks to structure the centerpieces. **Keep Your Guest List Short:** Stick to close friends and family. (Don't tell your third cousins you're getting hitched.) "One of the biggest things to keep in mind is you're able to achieve that goal of a zero-waste wedding if you kind of cut down on your guest list. If you get your guest list down to under 100, it is definitely doable." **E-vites:** Go paperless to save trees ー and time. "I encourage you to embrace the e-vite. Paperless is more and more common and lot of people are taking that approach and ultimately it's easier to track your RSVPs." **Shop Vintage:** Go on a treasure hunt for a vintage dress. "Check out your local consignment shops and ask around. Maybe your grandmother is just dying to have you kind of re-purpose her gown or your mother or even a best friend who says, 'Take my veil.'" For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/saying-i-do-with-sustainability-on-the-mind).

Share:
More In Culture
A Guide to the World of Art Investment
Joanna Ostrem, Head of Estates, Appraisals, and Valuations at Christie's, joins Cheddar Reveals to discuss what to look for when evaluating a piece, building a collection, and the growing interest from millennial investors.
White House May Extend Payment Pause On Student Loans
Student loan payments for millions of borrowers are set to resume on May 1st. However, signals from the Department of Education show that the date may be pushed back. Once again, it's been pushed back a few times. Initially, the Biden Administration stated loan payments would resume as the economy continues to show signs of recovery. Student Loan Expert and Author of "How to Appeal for More College Financial Aid", Mark Kantrowitz, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Propel Raises $50 Million to Provide Financial Tools to Low-Income Americans
Mission-driven fintech company Propel raised $50 million in a Series B round led by Nyca Partners. Propel's mission is to help low-income Americans improve their financial health. The company's free app is called Providers, designed as a one-stop-shop for Americans to manage government benefits and other income side-by-side. Jimmy Chen, founder and CEO of Propel, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Russia Reportedly Seeking Aid From China for Ukraine War
Russia may be asking China for help with its war in Ukraine, according to several reports citing unnamed U.S. officials. Russia is reportedly calling on its ally for military and economic assistance, in an attempt to avoid punishment from sanctions imposed by the U.S., Europe, and Asia, which have hammered Russia's economy. Chinese and Russian officials denied the reports. Meanwhile, top U.S. and Chinese officials are meeting today, with both countries confirming the conflict in Ukraine will be the meeting's main topic. Edward Wong, diplomatic correspondent for the New York Times, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Planned Parenthood CEO on Texas Supreme Court Ruling Against Abortion Providers
Following the Texas Supreme Court's decision to end further challenges against the latest abortion restrictions, Texas saw a 60 percent decrease in abortions performed in the state — with an exodus of patients seeking care in other parts of the country. President, and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Alexis McGill Johnson, joined Cheddar News at South by Southwest 2022 to discuss the impact of the court's ruling on reproductive health care in the Lone Star State and beyond.
Load More