Sustainable Wedding

 

Mark & Amy booked their wedding in December 2023 for the following May.  It was lovely to see them create their sustainable wedding with help from friends and family.  They got married down at the gazebo with a few friends and family and then had a Church blessing with all of their guests.

Mark and a number of friends managed to fit in a car rally beforehand - they came and parked up a lot of vintage cars in the field, as well as an old Ferguson Tractor by the Dovecote.

Their beloved dog was here for the ceremony, and for wedding photos afterwards. 

"Our Eco Wedding in May 2024 - the dream was to do it all ourselves, our way and not leave a trace.

 

Furtho Manor was the perfect spot, not only 5 minutes from our house (reducing majority footprint of friends and family) but the venue and its grounds were already decorated with natural beauty..... and a church!

The church was decorated so beautifully by a family friend. Once we had enjoyed the blooms post wedding, all the foliage was unwired and laid back into the forest. Tree stumps returned and anything remaining was taken to Thornbury for my friends wedding in August.

 

We set about collecting grasses from local fields, tree stumps, flowers, old hessian material, ribbon and anything second hand we could get our hands on.

Hoola hoops were borrowed from local children to create dried grass chandeliers and garden wire acquired from dad's shed, to be returned post wedding, for all the floral displays. China was lent to us from the village WI and the wedding soundtrack played by our friends Disco Steve and Jo.

 

During our travels over the years we had collected beach pebbles, the perfect solution for table name tags, that doubled up as favours our guests could take home as memory of their day and our adventures.

 

The cake! A homemade chocolate, Victoria sponge, lemon drizzle (flavoured with turkish lemons given to us by a local on our winter trip to Balek) and fruit cake - with more dried flowers and paper roses as decorations.

 

The dress! The journey of the dress started the moment we were engaged and took 18 months to make. An hour here and an hour there when Mark was away with work, paid off - as it was my perfect dream dress accompanied with my most comfy cowboy boots. We helped each other with our make up and hair using more dried flowers and grasses. My bouquet matched and now sits in the kitchen as a decorative floral display.

 

We had 2 suppliers, McGees who provided the bar, glassware and corkage. Together with Northampton Pig Roast who served a delicious BBQ to our guests. 2 months later we were still defrosting the excess - reminiscing our wedding day but nothing went to waste.

Mr and Mrs Robinson served dessert themselves so they could say hi and chat to all the guests.

 

 

Sustainability, zero-waste concepts were used throughout the wedding. 

 

We have reused / recycled everything in the spaces around our home, which not only allows us to remember our special day, everyday, but leave a lasting positive impact and the sunflowers grew well for the bees. 

 

Thank you Furtho"

For all our Saturday weddings at Furtho, we allow couples two days from 9 am to 9 pm to set up which works well for couples like Amy & Mark who want to do a lot of the decorating themselves. But I appreciate not everyone can, or wants to, make their own cake and dress as well as having clever friends who can do flowers, photos and the DJing for you.

When choosing your suppliers though you can find eco concious suppliers.  Here are a few who I know are always looking to be sustainable.

Sophie & Bee is a local florist who is proud to be foam free.  Sophie also provides lots of vases and will come to collect these afterwards so you do not need to buy lots of them.

"At Sophie & Bee, I believe flowers should bring joy without costing the earth. My sustainable design practices are rooted in a deep love for the natural world, and every step of the process is designed to minimise waste and environmental impact. I source seasonal flowers whenever possible to reduce my carbon footprint. My work is 100% floral foam-free, using sustainable alternatives that allow for fresh, dynamic arrangements without the harmful microplastics that foam leaves behind. I also avoid single-use plastics wherever possible, using reusable vessels, biodegradable twine, and recyclable packaging to make each arrangement as green as possible. All my green waste is composted, returning nutrients to the earth. My approach to floral design blends artistry with sustainability, creating designs that are beautiful, meaningful, and kind to the planet."

HK Hair has been based at Furtho since 2020. Hannah, who runs the salon, is passionate about being sustainable - here are some of the methods she uses.

“As a sustainable hair and beauty provider, HK Hair & Wellness is committed to creating beautiful, eco-friendly experiences. We choose cruelty-free, vegan, and organic products from ethically sourced, sustainable brands. We reduce waste by using compostable towels that biodegrade after each use and tools made from recycled ocean waste plastic, supporting ocean clean-up efforts. In-salon and on-site at venues, I conserve water and energy with efficient techniques and opt for reusable items like washable brushes and cloth towels. Our goal is to offer a memorable, sustainable, incredible experience that respects both our clients’ expectations and the planet.”

James from 1st Class Wedding Photography & Videography  has done lots of weddings here at Furtho. He has been making wedding day memories environmentally conscious without compromising on quality or creativity. Here are some of ways he manages this.

** Paperless Office**

From contracts to communication, every step of his process is now managed online. This eliminates paper waste and contributes to preserving our forests. Client meetings are carried out via video calling.

** Digital Delivery**

No DVDs, no bulky packaging—just high-quality digital downloads of your stunning photos and videos. This eco-friendly approach minimizes waste while ensuring your memories are accessible forever.

** Solar-Powered Operations**

Powered by the sun, he has equipped his office and photography equipment with solar energy and battery storage - from charging his cameras to lighting his workspace.

** Eco-Friendly Travel**

He arrives by electric vehicle, to ensure that his journeys are as clean and green as your love story.

** Planting Trees for Love**

Here’s a feel-good bonus: for every wedding he captures, he plants a tree. Your special day contributes to reforestation efforts, creating a legacy that grows alongside your love.

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Having seen over 300 weddings now I love to be able to share ideas to make your wedding more sustainable whilst planning do think about.

REDUCE- create less waste
REUSE- rent, thrift, donate, circular economy
RECYCLE- fabrics, bottles/cans, compost

In the dresser in the barn I have now collected a number of bottles & tealight holders.  These can all be used for free I just ask you return them to the dresser afterwards.

To view even more photos of the venue download our brochure  or if you have any questions contact us.

info@furthomanorfarm.co.uk