Greener Weddings

Based in the beautiful Cumbrian landscape, Westmorland Limited cares deeply for the environment and does everything possible to minimise energy, water and packaging waste and increase recycling rates across all its businesses. We are proud to support an ever growing number of local producers and suppliers.

Just a few suggestions to give your big day a green twist:

• The Dress Use a designer who can source organic, Fair Trade or natural materials not subjected to any environmentally harmful chemicals - Purchase a second hand wedding dress and have it altered or redesigned - The Groom could hire a suit rather than buy one; we have details of local suppliers.
• Accessories & Jewellery Use companies who can offer items made with fairly traded or recycled precious metals - Visit Talent at Rheged for locally crafted jewellery.
• Hair and Beauty Use hair stylists or make up artists who use products which are kind to the environment (and your skin!).
• Invites, Albums and Guest books Use e-invites where possible
  - Look for products which aremade with Fair Trade or recycled paper - why not visit the Paper Mill at Rheged, where all the paper sold is off-cuts from Cropper's Paper Mill, in Kendal.
  With 84 colours to choose from, it's ideal for menus, table cards, plans and the order of service.
• Arrival Help reduce carbon emissions by organising coach travel for your guests where possible so they arrive in 1 vehicle rather than many - Consider using public transport to get to your venue - Rheged is accessible by rail, has a bus stop on site and can organise taxis to local accommodation.What about a horse and carriage? - Arrange the whole wedding in one place; Rheged holds a civil licence and can help reduce further travel between venues - Use rice, rose petals or recycled paper as confetti or plant a tree to offset your carbon use.
• Drinks Choose English sparkling wines and locally produced spirits, such as delicious damson gin, for arrival cocktails -
  Choose local beer for the bar, (Cumbria has over 20 micro breweries) and save food miles.
• Food The county of Cumbria has many local food producers supplying everything from fresh trout to sticky toffee pudding
  - Beef and lamb from our farm which, from farm to fork, has travelled a maximum of 80 food miles can be included on your Wedding Breakfast Menu.
• The Cake Ask your cakemaker to use organic, free range and Fair Trade ingredients where possible or have a tower of Cumbrian cheeses decorated with seasonal fruit.
• Decorations Instead of fresh cut flowers, why not use potted plants for centrepieces or presents?
• Entertainment Use acoustic musicians who don't require power
  - we can source a local harpist or a string quartet.
• Photographer Seek a digital photographer who can upload your images onto the internet for you and your family to view reducing unnecessary printing.
• Honeymoon With one of the most romantic regions on your doorstep, the Lake District, why not go green and honeymoon right here? Choose accommodation which is part of the Green Tourism Business Scheme or which works closely with the Tourismand Conservation Partnership such as the Westmorland Hotel in the tranquil Lune Gorge. You could also stay in a yurt or on a local farm.

Save paper and download our green wedding flyer!