When planning a wedding, the beauty can lie in every thoughtful detail. Among these, the place settings at the reception table can be a pivotal point of creativity. However, the trend toward sustainability is reshaping how couples approach wedding décor, encouraging them to balance beauty with environmental consciousness.

Here’s how you can design stunning, sustainable place settings for your wedding while reducing your carbon footprint:

Green Wedding Alliance explains why hosting a local wedding is beneficial, both from an environmental perspective as well as a logistical one. Especially in a city like Chicago, there are so many benefits to hosting a wedding locally. Some benefits include reducing CO2 emissions, working with world-class wedding vendors, the presence of iconic landmarks and impressive architecture, etc.

There are numerous ways to ensure your special day is as green as it is memorable. From collaborating with eco-conscious vendors to rethinking traditional wedding staples, every choice can reflect your commitment to the environment. Take a look a this list we’ve put together, full of Earth-friendly wedding planning tips.