About
The Sustainable Wedding Alliance is here to help you build a business that you’re proud of, one that has sustainability at its core and that balances people and planet.
What is the Sustainable Wedding Alliance?
Our Mission
The Sustainable Wedding Alliance’s mission is to drive change to create a more sustainable wedding industry. Raising awareness and tackling climate change and attitudes, by proactively encouraging businesses to develop future thinking strategies and make responsible decisions.
We believe that we are trustees of this planet and it’s our duty to not only make sure it survives but thrives. We respect not only the planet in our care but all those that live on it.
Our Values
As a purpose driven business, our values are such an important part of who we are and what we do.
We act with integrity at all times | We respect our planet and all that live on it | We promote collaboration over competition | We are open and honest in our communication | We embrace change, new ideas and approaches | We are continuously learning and improving | We empower our communities, giving them the confidence and support they need to thrive
Our Founder
Meet Michelle, the founder and face behind the Sustainable Wedding Alliance.
Michelle has been in the weddings and events industry for two decades and over that time she has built up a wealth of knowledge. She has been running her own successful business since 2009 and understands the challenges that companies in the wedding industry face, when thinking about how they can be more sustainable, and reduce their environmental impact.
Why did you start the Sustainable Wedding Alliance?
“I started the Sustainable Wedding Alliance in response to the number of businesses I was working with in the wedding industry that wanted to become more sustainable but just didn’t know where to start.”
“The downtime that the pandemic forced on the wedding and events industry gave me the time and headspace to be able to develop the Alliance. It was clear to me that there was a need for a place that people could come together, learn about how they could make their businesses more sustainable, share their experiences and help each other.”
Why are you so passionate about leading sustainable change in the wedding industry?
“Living sustainably has been a personal passion of mine for many years. Starting around the time I had my first child, I became more and more aware of the throwaway society we were living in and wanted to make a change both to the way we’re living our lives, but also to the way I was planning events for my clients. Fast forward a few years and I’m proud to say that it became a core focus both my personal and working life.”
Michelle is also an Associate of the Institute for Environmental Management & Assessment.
Sustainability Ambassadors
The Sustainable Wedding Alliance Ambassadors are champions of sustainability, and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from across the industry. Together we can not only drive change to create a more sustainable wedding industry, but also raise awareness and tackle climate change and attitudes, by proactively encouraging businesses to develop future thinking strategies and make responsible decisions.
Why should your business be sustainable?
Being sustainable isn’t just about reducing waste or energy consumption, it flows through everything we do, in our businesses and in the weddings, we produce.
The most common thing we hear when talking to business owners is that they want to be more sustainable, but just don’t know where to start. There is so much in the media about being green, but in reality, it can be a little overwhelming.
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” Robert Swan
Equality and Diversity
We are committed to equality and to providing a service and following practices which are free from unfair and unlawful discrimination.
We value people as individuals with diverse opinions, cultures, lifestyles and circumstances.
We are committed to providing services to which all clients are entitled regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, offending past, caring responsibilities or social class.
We commit to displaying positive imagery of all types of people and all types of weddings.
Our services are delivered equally and meet the diverse needs of our service users and clients.
Code of Conduct
We have a strict code of conduct to ensure that we act with integrity and honesty at all times and expect all partners, sponsors and members to do the same.
I/We respond to all questions and enquiries within 48 hours.
I/We respect client confidentiality.
I/We are fully transparent and always honest.
I/We respect copyright from fellow professionals.
My/Our business is free from discrimination and encourages diversity, equality and inclusivity.
My/Our business insurance is up to date.
I/We always do the best job I/we possibly can.
Restoring our planet, together
For every new member that joins the Sustainable Wedding Alliance, we contribute towards tree planting and carbon offsetting projects across the world. We also offset any business based carbon annually.
Partnerships that drive sustainable change
Our partners are committed to driving sustainable change in the wedding industry. Leading the way with ethical, social and environmental practices.
The Alliance is a collective of environmentally conscious businesses all working together to reduce the impact our industry has on our planet. Join us as a partner and become part of the community leading the change towards to a more sustainable wedding industry.
By choosing to partner with us you are contributing to more sustainable future for our industry. Our focus is on developing tools to help companies make their business more environmentally conscious, educate their clients on what sustainability means for them, and promote sustainable businesses far and wide.
Align your business with the Sustainable Wedding Alliance and be the driving force behind sustainable change in the industry.