Sustainable Weddings
We strongly believe that a ‘sustainable wedding’ needn’t mean compromise, rather that the decisions at the heart of a more sustainable wedding – quality over quantity, mindful, considered choices, celebrating the natural, local and seasonal – can enhance the uniquely special nature of a wedding celebration, and the positive impact it can have in the world.
We are embracing the term ‘regenerative wedding’ to reflect this. It’s an ambitious title to live up to, but reflects our belief that sustainable weddings are about so much more than just minimising harm – they can restore, renew and revitalise, with lasting positive impacts.
Celebrate in Sustainable Style
If a small but perfectly formed sustainable wedding appeals, we have designed a midweek offering with sustainability in mind.
Key Features
- No minimum number of guests, and up to 60 in total – perfect if you have an elopement, micro or intimate wedding in mind
- Available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between April and October, with a ‘midweekend’ option of a one or two night stay
- St. Bartholomew’s Church nestled on the edge of the Estate, a host of spaces for civil weddings, and optional accommodation for up to 34 on site, all allowing travel to be minimised
- A range of menu options from a choice of three sustainability-focused catering partners, heroing locally sourced, seasonal and organic produce with a focus on vegetarian and vegan dishes
- Floral styling from local sustainable florist The Ledbury Flower Farmer – 100% home and British grown, foam-free arrangements in seasonal palettes
- The option of discounted rates on a drinks list of tipples from the local area including still and sparkling wines, spirits, ale, lager, cider and perry, all without any corkage or other drinks surcharge
- A supplier directory highlighting recommended local professionals to minimise supplier travel distance, and support and advice for the coordination of ‘off site’ guest travel to enable ride sharing and cost saving where possible
A Regenerative Approach
Over the last 20 years we have adopted a non-commercial, non-profit approach, with proceeds from Homme weddings used exclusively to fund the conservation work on this Historic Estate. The choice of a Homme wedding means a positive contribution to:
- the conservation of unique Grade I, II* and II listed heritage, protecting it for the future
- restoration and conservation efforts across 110 acres of species rich grasslands in partnership with local organisations like Herefordshire Meadows
- actions to promote biodiversity in the 60 acres of woodland around the house
- Each midweek wedding we hold also makes a positive contribution to our local community, with 5% of the venue and accommodation revenue donated equally to Much Marcle Primary School and Much Marcle Community Shop Ltd, our local initiative to develop a sustainable shop, Post Office and café, as a vital services and friendly social hub for the local community.
We also hope each midweek wedding is the start of an ongoing relationship with our home and this beautiful part of Herefordshire, with visits to reminisce encouraged, and the option of commemorative and conservation tree planting, and anniversary stays.
If you are hoping to host a sustainable wedding, we would love to explore the possibilities at Homme with you, whether through our ‘midweekend’ hire or a sustainable weekend celebration. Do get in touch – we would be delighted to meet you and discuss your plans further.
Sustainable Wedding Ideas
Our midweek offer focuses on intimate guest numbers, sustainable food, drink, flowers and transport as the decisions towards a wedding which – alongside the choice of venue – have the greatest impact on the footprint of a wedding.
If you would like to explore ways in which you can plan a sustainable celebration, a fuller list of ideas:
Invite everyone you love, not… everyone.
It’s important to have everyone you love most there to share in your special day, but don’t feel pressured into inviting everyone you know. While often not highlighted, the size of your guest list is one of the most important considerations towards the sustainability of your wedding. Aim for ‘perfectly formed’.
Choose your venue wisely.
In your team of professionals the venue is the single most important decision in determining the likely impact of your wedding. Choose a venue whose ethos and practices you admire and trust.
Keep it local.
Support suppliers in the venue’s local area to minimise travel. There are so many talented professionals right on our doorstep, for example (our directory highlights brilliant options within 20 miles of Homme). If your chosen team is travelling from distance, find out how they plan to offset their carbon footprint.
Opt for fresh, creative catering.
Make the food seasonal and locally sourced where possible. Consider the many delicious meat-free options for your wedding day. Plan for how any leftovers can be used to minimise waste, and how any residual waste will be dealt with in the most planet-friendly way possible.
Explore the local tipples.
Include local options amongst the old favourites when planning your drinks – English sparkling wines, local ales, lagers, ciders, perry and spirits can bring a wonderful opportunity to try new things and a local flavour to your wedding day.
Choose a sustainable florist.
Find a local sustainable florist or flower farm allowing 100% locally or British grown, seasonal blooms for foam-free floral brilliance. Flowers from the Farm is a great resource. Consider living plants or dried flowers (check they are unbleached and not chemically dyed) as an alternative. Ensure that everything you don’t plan to keep, gift or preserve will be composted after the day.
Use natural confetti.
Choose natural dried petal confetti, from your florist, specialist supplier or supportive family and friends!
Sharing is caring when it comes to travel.
Many beautiful venues are in awkward to reach spots like ours. Encourage guests to book accommodation close to public transport hubs (beautiful Ledbury in our case, with mainline connections to Birmingham & London), and arrange or encourage ride sharing from there.
Green your wedding attire.
Make conscious decisions about your wedding attire – dresses, suits and rings. It’s important to have what you will feel great in on such an important day, but consider materials, production methods, and whether old, new, borrowed or… something else is right for you.
Less stuff more meaning.
As visually stunning as your day may be, your wedding is first and foremost about the beautiful connections between the people who will be there. Focus on making the most of that – simpler decor can help to make life easier, cheaper and more eco-friendly.
Plan the thoughtful touches.
Consider homemade, natural or charitable donation favours. Include causes important to you on your wedding gift list. Consider a ‘good bar’, with a charitable donation per drink.
Something borrowed.
Consider borrowed, secondhand or hired items for your wedding where you can. Contribute to the growing circular wedding economy after the day and make it available for another happy couple to use for their celebrations.
Plastic isn’t fantastic.
Ditch any single use plastics. Interrogate the alternatives carefully – if you are going to use compostable plates/serveware, for example, make sure they will compost where you want them to (some can be composted at home, others will need a commercial facility).
Offset with love.
Work with an organisation like Ecologi to find the best way to offset your guests’ travel footprint, particular those who have come from overseas.
The sustainability practices we are adopting to lower the footprint and impact of life at Homme can be further explored on our sustainability page and in our sustainability policy.
