Avoid purchasing new items by renting furniture, glass, china & candles. Vintage items make for a truly one-of-a-kind look! Check out your local garage & estate sales to create an eclectic collection.

Oftentimes venues have items available for rent such as arches, candles and other decor items, thus reducing new purchases or transportation of rented items.

The Joinery created 20 beautiful reclaimed wood dining tables that is included in rental of their space.

Using LED lighting features is more energy efficient, lasts longer and come in a variety of colors. Loft on Lake offers wonderful lighting throughout their space, including LED uplighting available in a rainbow of colors!

Fairlie has a beautiful chandelier with LED bulbs, as well as colored lighting that can enhance your dance floor!

Find an alternative material, such as rice, hay or paper.

Ask your décor vendor if they transport and store items in reusable totes (like our GEA members) or if they use styrofoam. Styrofoam is one of the most environmentally unfriendly types of materials that exist, not only releasing toxic chemicals when exposed to light or heat, it also has an extremely low decomposition rate.

Packing materials can create a lot of waste rather quickly. Rather than packing items in cardboard boxes, transport items using reusable milk crates that are easily washed and reused. A sustainable decor vendor would re-use boxes and use reusable totes and padding to bring items to and from events.

Ask your linen vendor or decorator how they wash & dry their linens and fabric drapes. High-efficiency machines with cold water and non-toxic detergent are best.

Using rental plates, silverware and glasses is clearly better than using disposable materials, but if you have to use disposables, consider compostable items like paper or bamboo plates, and plant-based plastic utensils and cups.