Sustainable Weddings

Here are the Talbot Hotel Clonmel we understand how important it is to customise your special day.

We understand the importance of sustainability while yet maintaining elegance and charm.

Here are some suggestions from our wedding planners Laura Jones & Susan Murphy on how you can make your wedding reception more eco-friendly!

1. Sustainable Menu Options

Locally Sourced Ingredients: We can offer a menu featuring seasonal, locally sourced, and organic produce to reduce the carbon footprint. We support local farmers and suppliers.

Plant-Based Menu Options: We can offer a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes to minimise environmental impact.

Zero-Waste Catering: We try to minimise food waste from events, which reduces environmental impact.

2. Eco-Friendly Decor

Reusable Decor: We provide a lot of complimentary room décor so that our couples do not need to buy or hire. This is high-quality reusable items like tablecloths, napkins, centrepieces, and furniture instead of single-use products.

Natural Elements: We would encourage couples to incorporate natural decor like potted plants, fresh herbs, and wooden accents instead of cut flowers or synthetic materials.

Repurposed Flowers: We encourage all our couples to collaborate with organisations to donate leftover flowers to churches or nursing homes after their wedding with us at the Talbot Hotel Clonmel. This helps reduce waste and gives back to the community.

3. Green Energy and Lighting

Energy-Efficient Lighting: We use LED lighting and solar-power for our outdoor lights for receptions and ceremonies.

Candlelight Options: We offer romantic candlelit receptions using soy or beeswax candles, which are more sustainable and also the use of battery-operated lanterns. All of these helps to reduce energy usage and enhances ambiance.

4. Eco-Conscious Invitations

Digital Invitations: We encourage our couples to use digital invites, e-cards, or wedding websites to replace paper invitations. By offering the dedicated wedding software ‘MOPOSA’ this is an excellent tool which helps with not only going digital with ‘Save the Dates’, but also with efficient planning digitally instead of books of wedding notes! This is an award-winning Wedding Software that makes the planning process seamless.

Seed Paper Invitations: We work with suppliers to offer biodegradable invitations embedded with seeds, which guests can plant after the event. This helps minimise paper waste while adding a unique touch.

5. Green Transportation Options

Carpooling or Shuttle Services: We work with companies that offer eco-friendly transportation for guests, such as electric buses or shared shuttles.

This helps reduce emissions and makes the wedding more sustainable. This also means a lot of your wedding guests arrive at the Talbot Hotel Clonmel at the same time.

6. Eco-Friendly Favors

Plantable Gifts:  We suggest providing guests with potted plants, succulents, or seed packets as wedding favours.

Edible Favors: We work closely with local suppliers to offer locally made jams; honey & chocolates wrapped in sustainable packaging as the perfect wedding favour.

Reusable Items: We also suggest offering gift reusable tote bags, glass jars, or bamboo utensils with personalized details. This reduces waste and provides guests with meaningful keepsakes.

7. Waste Reduction Strategies

Composting and Recycling Stations: We have set up clearly marked stations to encourage waste separation and composting. After every wedding we compost all our coffee grounds and offer to guests to take home as compost.

No Single-Use Plastics: We have a ban on single-use plastics and use biodegradable alternatives for cutlery, plates, and straws. This ensures minimal landfill contribution and promotes awareness among your wedding guests.

8. Eco-Friendly Wedding Cake

Locally Sourced Ingredients: We recommend numerous local suppliers which reduces carbon footprint with cake deliveries. These suppliers also ensure that your wedding cake is made with organic and sustainably sourced ingredients.

Minimalist Design: To keep with the sustainable tone, we recommend the use of natural decorations such as edible flowers, fruits, or herbs instead of artificial decor. This aligns with sustainability while offering a visually stunning and delicious dessert.

9. Sustainable Entertainment

Solar-Powered Sound Systems: All suppliers use our solar-power for their equipment for music and speeches.

Eco-Friendly Activities: During consultation with our couples, we recommend introducing activities like a "tree planting ceremony" where the couple plants a tree to symbolize their union. This adds unique touches while reducing environmental impact.

10. Carbon Offsetting

Offset the Wedding's Footprint:  We recommend to all couples the importance of partnering with a carbon offsetting program where couples can donate to plant trees or fund renewable energy projects in exchange for the carbon emissions generated by their event. This demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and allows each couple to leave a positive legacy.

For more information or to organise a wedding show around please contact our multi-award-winning Wedding Co-Ordinators Laura Jones & Susan Murphy on 052-6188700 or email: weddings@talbothotelclonmel.ie