Planning an engagement party that’s both stylish and sustainable might sound like a challenge, but it’s easier than you think! From smart decor choices to eco-friendly alternatives, you can host a celebration that reflects your love for the planet without compromising on design.
To help inspire your planning, here are five tips I love for throwing a chic and eco-friendly engagement party that’s as thoughtful as gorgeous.
1. Come Up with a Theme that Represents the Two of You
The best parties reflect your personalities! Whether you’re inspired by a shared love for travel, your favorite movie, or a nostalgic memory, choose a theme that tells your story. This keeps the vibe personal and makes it easier to plan sustainable details around your theme.
For this party, our theme was “That’s Amore.” This is such a cute idea for an engagement party theme! You can find lots of cute That’s Amore invites on Etsy as well as this That’s Amore welcome sign we found. We downloaded the template, updated it with our info and had it printed on a large foam board at our local FedEx printing – so easy + chic!
2. Rent Fun Linens for a Wow Statement
Instead of purchasing new decor, opt for renting eye-catching linens. This adds a pop of personality and texture to your tablescape without contributing to waste. Rentals also ensure your event is effortlessly chic while remaining eco-friendly.
We rented these gorgeous linens (tablecloth and napkins) from BBJ La Tavola. They have locations all over the US and were so easy to work with – plus they are one of the easiest ways to make your table look wow-worthy!
3. Use Eco-Friendly Plates and Cups from Repurpose
Skip single-use plastic and make a statement with compostable plates, cups, and cutlery from Repurpose. At Green Wedding Shoes, we’re all about stylish choices that are kind to the planet, and Repurpose makes it easy. Here’s why their compostable products are a game-changer in eco-friendly dining.
Repurpose plates have a lower carbon footprint compared to non-compostable alternatives. They’re made from upcycled renewable materials like corn, wood pulp, and sugarcane—items that would normally be considered waste but instead get a second life. Plus, the process to create these products releases fewer greenhouse gases and avoids harmful chemicals you’d find in conventional plastic or paper.
Even better, once composted, these plates can help fertilize future crops, closing the loop in a true sustainability cycle. Repurpose’s PLA-based products emit 80% less CO2, use up to 60% less water in manufacturing, and require 52% less energy than plastics. And when it comes to compostable plates and bowls, they use 66% less energy compared to traditional paper ones.
In short, composted products help nurture the plant-based materials that will eventually become the products of tomorrow—this is the beauty of a circular economy. It’s eco-friendly, stylish, and oh-so-sustainable!
You can find Repurpose products at Whole Foods, Costco, Albertson’s, Kroger, and your local grocery store as well as online on their website and even Amazon.
To spruce up compostable cutlery for your table, we wrapped our cutlery in a bow to give it an elevated look. This cutlery is made from corn starch materials. They’re also non-toxic and BPA-free. We are big fans.
A compostable plate should last for one meal, not forever, and that is why we love these 10″ Dinner Plates from Repurpose. They are made from sugarcane scraps and wood pulp. They’re non-toxic, made without PFAS, and still hold up to the heartiest and heaviest dinner servings.
Let’s chat about these wine glasses for a minute. By far the chicest compostable stemless wine glasses we’ve seen!! Not only do they look stylish and fit our chic vibe, but they’re also compostable and plant-based, making sustainability an easy (and beautiful) choice for your celebration.
4. Personalize Each Place Setting with a Menu and Place Card
A personalized place setting adds a thoughtful touch to your party. Consider printing menus and place cards on recycled or seed paper, which can later be planted, giving your decor a second life. It’s an eco-chic detail your guests will love!
Another fun way to personalize each place setting? Bows! We are currently obsessed with bows like the rest of the world and added a long bow to each chair. This really adds to the WOW factor for making your table look so special! Plus, your guests can take the bows home with them or you can save and reuse for gift wrapping or other ways around your home – I’m already thinking of other ways I can use the pretty ribbon! We bought this ribbon and it was enough for 10 chairs.
5. Get Creative with Your Centerpieces
Swap out traditional floral arrangements for something unexpected like potted plants, edible centerpieces (hello, fresh fruit and veggies!), or even books that reflect your relationship. After the party, these items can be reused or gifted, keeping sustainability front and center.
For this party, we used a mix of tomatoes (which we used in our cooking the next week!) and olives, flowers, and candles. Florals in unique textures help bring an elevated vibe to the party as well.
By incorporating these eco-friendly touches, you can host a stunning engagement party that leaves a lasting impression on your guests without leaving a negative impact on the environment. Thoughtful choices like renting linens, using compostable dinnerware from Repurpose, and opting for reusable decor are small changes that add up. Sustainability never looked so chic!
Big thanks to my amazing team for helping with this shoot!
Styling + Art Direction: Green Wedding Shoes | Photography: Sanaz Riggio | Florals: Stella Bloom Designs | Furniture Rentals: Party Pleasers | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Venue: Rimrock Ranch
This post is sponsored by Repurpose. All content and opinions are that of GWS. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Green Wedding Shoes running
