As eco-conscious couples demand greener weddings, luxury hotels are racing to market themselves as sustainable venues—but how many are truly reducing their environmental impact versus simply repackaging existing services with “eco-friendly” buzzwords?
A damning report by the Sustainable Events Association found that 65% of hotels advertising “green weddings” fail to meet basic sustainability benchmarks, such as:
- Food waste reduction (only 12% compost or donate leftovers)
- Energy efficiency (just 8% use 100% renewable energy)
- Plastic elimination (a shocking 90% still use single-use plastics for banquets)
“Many hotels slap a ‘sustainable weddings’ label on their website because they offer a vegetarian menu option or reuse ceremony flowers,” says environmental consultant Priya Nair. “But when we audited their practices, most were business-as-usual with a thin veneer of eco-marketing.”
Some properties, however, are leading real change. The award-winning EcoLux Resort in Costa Rica runs entirely on solar power, sources hyper-local ingredients, and plants 100 trees for every wedding hosted. In Iceland, the Retreat at Blue Lagoon offers carbon-neutral wedding packages, with detailed impact reports for couples.
Couples are becoming savvier, asking for proof like:
- Third-party sustainability certifications (LEED, Green Key, etc.)
- Detailed breakdowns of waste diversion efforts
- Transparent vendor policies (e.g., florists who avoid floral foam)
The pressure is working. After a viral TikTok exposed one resort’s “recycled decor” as brand-new items tossed post-event, the global chain Belmond Hotels announced a zero-waste wedding initiative. As climate awareness grows, greenwashing will become riskier—and truly sustainable wedding hotels may gain a competitive edge.
