Did you watch the Royal Wedding, Dumplings? Even if you spent your past Saturday occupied otherwise, it was nearly impossible to completely miss the wedding buzz. At Chez Luttrell, we watched the whole thing, complete with chamomile-rose tea in heirloom China cups!
Even though I’ve already had my own wedding, I still find the celebratory spirit of weddings so catching, which is why I’m excited to share Peaceful Dumpling’s guide to having an ethical wedding à la Meghan & Harry. Even though Meghan is technically a Duchess, she’s a modern fairy tale Princess according to us–partly because of her feminism and charitable work and partly because we just think she’s cool.
Whether you’re dreaming about a far-off wedding or getting into the nitty-gritty of booking a venue and picking your colors, keep this guide handy to help inspire ethical and sustainable choices.
10 Ways To Have a Meghan Markle-Inspired Ethical Wedding
1. Wear a sustainably made gown.
Meghan’s reception dress was breathtaking. The custom dress was made by Stella McCartney, one of the leaders in making high fashion more sustainable and animal-free.
Each of this designer’s gowns is handmade to order out of natural silks and lace, and all of the embellishment is done in New York City rather than being outsourced to Asia.
2. Use locally grown, organic flowers.
We’ve heard that Meghan’s wedding bouquet was made with flowers hand-picked by Harry himself from the Kensington Palace gardens. *Swoon!* The bouquet included sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine and astrantia, and sprigs of myrtle, all tied together in a naturally dyed raw silk ribbon.
By sourcing local/seasonal and organic flowers for your own event, you’ll minimize your impact in a few important ways. The flowers won’t have to travel a long way to your ceremony (some exotic flowers have to travel across the ocean!), and it may be easier to inquire about the florist’s growing practices. (If you’re living in an area suffering from drought, ask about the florist’s watering practices.) Organic flowers aren’t grown with pesticides, meaning they’re potentially safer for the earth and those who handle them. Plus, using local flora is a fun way to be present in your surroundings.
3. Donate items from the ceremony.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex donated the flowers from the ceremony to London Hospice. The flowers brought a smile to many. What a beautiful gesture.
4. Request donations instead of gifts.
If you and your beloved already have the items you need for a functional home, request donations to charity instead of wedding gifts like the royal couple did. Not only will you raise money for your favorite causes, you’ll also create more awareness about your causes.
According to Kensington Palace, “The couple have personally chosen 7 charities which represent a range of issues that they are passionate about, including sport for social change, women’s empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV and the Armed Forces.”
5. Let the ceremony be shaped by you!
Although many elements of the royal wedding were dictated by tradition, certain choices for the ceremony reflected Meghan’s preferences, including what some call the bicultural blackness of the event as well as Meghan walking herself before meeting Prince Charles, arguably a feminist statement.
For your own ceremony, pick and choose which elements from tradition you’d like to use, and let your personal values give shape to the event.
6. Wear a cruelty-free, 5-free nail polish.
Apparently, royal ladies cannot wear red polish, and Essie “Ballet Slippers” is the preferred hue of the Queen. This semi-sheer pale pink is universally flattering and gives nails a clean, well-groomed, feminine look without stealing the show. For a cruelty-free version, try Zoya “Madison.”
7. Choose an ethical ring.
If you’ve yet to select an engagement ring, consider the most ethical options, including using vintage stones, conflict-free stones, and reclaimed precious metal. Here’s the full scoop on Meghan’s stunning ring, which includes stones from Diana’s collection.
8. Invite activists and charity workers to your big day.
Including founders of charities you support among your honored guests is a lovely way to celebrate the work they do and raise awareness about your causes. The royal couple used their guest list as a way to do just that!
9. Make your cake organic.
Their two receptions (luncheon at Windsor Castle, and an evening reception at the Frogmore House) were both completely organic. The royal wedding cake (also organic) was a creative blend of lemon and elderflower and was decorated with in-season British flowers, including peonies and roses. Stay tuned…we’ll share a vegan version of the cake on Peaceful Dumpling this week!
10. Make your getaway car an electric Jaguar E-Type Zero
To make a stylish getaway from their luncheon to their evening reception, the newlyweds opted for a Bond-worthy ride that so happens to be powered by pure love and unicorn breath simple electricity. The gorgeous silver-blue ride like that costs close to half a million dollars (welp!), but any electric or hybrid model will show your love for the planet (and for each other, duh).
What was your favorite part about the royal wedding?
Related: Get Royally Fit With Meghan Markle’s Fav Pilates & Yoga Moves (Video)
Let This Megan Markle Signature Makeup Tutorial Tide You Over Until Royal Wedding
The Exact Details Of Meghan Markle Beauty Routine, Revealed–And It’s So Attainable
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Photo: Sussex Royal via Instagram; Leann Marshall; Zoya
