Sustainable Wedding Awards
We founded the Sustainable Wedding Awards to recognise and reward businesses in the wedding industry for their commitment to sustainability. The 2025 Awards Ceremony will take place on 5th February at BMA House, London.
About the Sustainable Wedding Awards
The Sustainable Wedding Awards recognise the sustainable initiatives, advocacy and sheer hard work taking place across the UK’s wedding industry.
The awards celebrate the work and impact that wedding businesses are doing across the UK to balance people, profit and planet. Championing those that are making progress in their sustainability journey and encouraging others around them to do the same.
As part of the awards, we highlighted the innovative ideas, stories and best practice shown by businesses and individuals, hoping to inspire other businesses to take action.
Finalists and Winners will be recognised at our in person, Award Ceremony on Wednesday 5th February 2025.
Key Dates
The awards open for applications on Friday 8th November and you have until Friday 6th December to apply. We will review the applications for eligibility and announce the finalists on Monday 16th December. Judges will then review the applications and select their winners, which will be announced at the awards ceremony on 5th February 2025 at BMA House.
Award Categories
The awards are open to anyone in the UK, working in the wedding industry that has been in business for a minimum of 12 months and have a publicly available Sustainability/Environmental Policy or declaration. All products, services and/or activities eligible should have taken place between April-23 and October-24.
Each entry will be assessed against the general award criteria (above) in the category specific criteria (listed under each of the categories listed below).
Recognising a business that is leading the way in reducing their carbon emissions, has a net zero target in place (at least for Scope 1&2) and can evidence positive progress towards their target. They should also be inspiring and influencing others to make a positive change, helping to reduce the industry’s overall emissions, both through business and wedding day carbon emissions.
Must provide proof of net zero pledge and their carbon footprint measurements for the previous year, along with carbon reduction plan and/or evidence and details of reductions.
Recognising a business formed after October 2022, that has since made considerable progress in growing and developing with sustainability at their heart, balancing people, profit and planet.
Must provide evidence of business start date, as well as details on the progress made and positive impact on people and planet.
Recognising a business or individual that showcases sustainable, traditional techniques and design in their work. Being an advocate for quality products, designed with sustainability in mind. This is open to all businesses that provide a product, from flower farms, to jewellery makers and everything in between.
Must be able to explain why the product/technique is sustainable, what it replaces and the positive impact.
Recognising a business or individual that has actively promoted biodiversity within the industry either directly on their own land, or indirectly by inspiring and impacting others.
Must provide evidence of how you have made an impact on biodiversity in the last 18 months and what change you have seen as a result.
New for 2024! The Sustainable Influencer award recognises an individual that has promoted sustainability to both the couples they work with and suppliers within their network. They will have shown an un waving determination to put sustainability at the heart of their business, educating and inspiring others to make more conscious choices.
Must be able to show the positive impact you have had on couples and/or industry colleagues. We’d like to hear how you have helped to influence behaviour change, encouraging couples and colleagues to make more conscious choices, have a positive impact on the planet.
Enhancing sustainability in the supply chain. Recognising a business that is proactively updating their supply chain to ensure that they are working with like-minded, ethical and sustainable businesses.
Must be able to show evidence of changes to supply chain, with appropriate commentary on why changes have been made.
Celebrating an individual leading the way, that stands out for their passion for change in the wedding industry. This award will be presented to someone that has gone above and beyond to drive sustainable change, progressing social and/or environmental action, either within their business or in the wider community.
Must be able to show what positive impact you are having. How you are passionate about making change, are an inspiration to others, and have personally made an important difference to sustainability in the industry.
Recognising a business or individual that is reducing food waste, putting in place waste prevention systems, measuring and monitoring waste and is committed to inspiring others in the industry to do the same.
Must be able to provide proof of reduction in food waste and what they do to champion waste prevention.
In addition to the main categories listed, the Judges will have the option of awarding a Judge’s Choice Award – A wild card award solely chosen by the Judges to a non-category winner whose business impressed the Judges so much that they felt recognition is deserved.
Frequently asked questions
Feel free to get in touch if you have a question that isn’t answered here. You can also view the full awards terms and conditions here.
Why apply for the Sustainable Wedding Awards?
Business awards are a great way for small businesses in the UK to showcase their achievements, gain recognition, and boost their growth. Winning an award can help you to stand out from the competition, attract new customers and investors, and build morale among your staff.
Even if you don’t win an award, the process of applying can be beneficial. It will give you a chance to reflect on your business’s successes and identify areas where you can improve. You’ll also get to network with other businesses and learn about their best practices.
The Sustainable Wedding Awards are focussed on recognising businesses and individuals that place sustainability at the heart of what they do.
For more reasons on why you should apply for a Sustainable Wedding Award, read our recent article Applying for the Sustainable Wedding Awards: A boost for small wedding businesses in the UK.
Who will be judging the awards?
All applications will be reviewed by the Sustainable Wedding Alliance team. We will check them against the eligibility criteria, and shortlist up to ten applications as finalists. The guest panel will then review the shortlisted applications, scoring each of the questions. The scores from each judge will then be added up to give each entry a final score The highest scoring applications will be the winners. The judges may also choose to highlight businesses or individuals that they feel deserved to be high commended, or receive a Judges’ Choice Award.
For a full list of the judges, please scroll down to meet the judges section on the Sustainable Wedding Awards page.
For the new Sustainability Influencer Award, the public will be invited to vote via an online form once the finalists are announced.
Can I nominate another business?
All applications must be made by the entrant. However, if you know of a business or individual that is doing awesome things please forward them a link to the awards an encourage them to apply.
Is there an entry fee?
No. The awards are supported by the Sustainable Wedding Alliance so there is no entry fee.
There will be a cost to attend the Awards Ceremony to cover catering and set up costs.
I don't know which category to enter
Please read the category descriptions and criteria to see which one(s) you think best describe your achievements. You are welcome to enter more than one category, but please complete a separate application form (and video) for each entry.
How will I know if I'm a finalist?
All shortlisted entrants will be contacted on or before 16th December to confirm if they have been selected as a finalists. We will provide feedback to all unsuccessful applicants, on request, after the awards ceremony.
When do I need to apply by?
All applications must be submitted by midnight on 30th November 2023 (extended from 24th November). Any applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. We reserve the right to close applications early, or extend the deadline beyond the initial date, if required. If this is the case will ensure this is publicly communicated at least 48hours prior to the revised deadline.
Can I submit supporting documents?
Yes, you are welcome to include supporting documents in your application which you feel support your entry. For example, reports/fact sheets/links to relevant information.
Please note that we cannot guarantee that additional documents will be viewed in full by our judges, but any additional information provided will only serve to strengthen the entry. If providing multiple files, please condense them into one zipped folder.
Please be aware, we may contact you, and or your suppliers, or clients to confirm references and that activities included in your application have taken place as described.
Do I have to include a video as part of the application?
As part of the application we’d love you to include a recorded video entry, but it is not compulsory. If you do include a video, it will be shared with judges to supplement your written application.
In the video we’d love to hear about your sustainable practices, how you balance people, profit and planet, what your sustainable achievements are to date and your plans for the future. Max 2 minute video. If your video is larger than 52MB, please send it to awards@sustainableweddingalliance.com via wetransfer.com.
We’ve created some practical video tips to help you make a good video here.
If you are shortlisted as a finalist we may ask you to submit a video for us to use as part of the award ceremony.
How do I apply?
All applications should be made on the website via the application form.
We recommend that you write the body of your entry in a separate document and then copy and paste it into the form below, to prevent any of your entry being lost.
As part of the application please include a short video (no longer than 2 minutes) that includes why you are applying, what sustainability challenge you’re addressing and how you’re doing it.
Part completed application forms will not be accepted.
There will be an opportunity to attach supporting information, however please note the word count and limitations on the online form.
If you are not able to use the online application form for accessibility reasons, please email us.
Will I receive a shortlisted or winner badge?
Yes, all shortlisted finalists will be receive a digital badge to proudly display on your website or social media.
Winners will receive digital winner badges and certificates after the award ceremony.
When will the winners be announced?
All winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 5th February 2025, with winners being publicly declared on our website within 7 days.
Can I ask for feedback if I don't win?
Yes, of course. Please email us with your name, company name and award category and we will reply within 10 working days with your application feedback.
Thank you to our partners…
The Sustainable Wedding Awards is supported by businesses across the industry, without who this event just wouldn’t be possible.
By sponsoring the Sustainable Wedding Awards, you’ll align your brand with conscious consumers and industry leaders. Support a movement that’s shaping the future of sustainable weddings. Showcase your commitment to environmental responsibility and social impact. Join us in celebrating innovation, sustainability, and ethical practices in the wedding industry, get in touch for more information.
Meet the Judges
We’re in the process of finalising our judging panel for the Sustainable Wedding Awards. Our judges represent both the wedding industry and the world of sustainability.