Embracing Eco-Friendly Elegance: Joely and Chris's Journey to a Sustainable Wedding
In May this year, Joely and Chris tied the knot at Tree Top Escape, choosing our ceremony-only package for their intimate celebration. Their wedding was a beautiful blend of love, nature, and sustainability. Here's a glimpse into their journey, focusing on Joely's decision to rent her wedding dress and veil—a choice that reflected her deep commitment to the environment and her personal values.The Decision to Rent
From the moment I started planning our wedding, I knew I wanted either a second-hand or rented dress. Working for my local council in the sustainability team, I'm acutely aware of the environmental impact of the fashion industry. My daily lifestyle choices aim to minimise my personal impact, and naturally, I wanted the same for my wedding day. With that in mind, I began researching eco-friendly options and soon realised that renting was the way forward.
The Motivation Behind Our Choice
My primary motivation was to minimise my carbon footprint and stay true to my values. The idea of a wedding dress being a single-use item, often stored away indefinitely, felt heartbreaking to me. Renting a dress not only aligns with my environmental values but is also a cost-effective alternative to spending thousands on a garment worn for just one day. This decision was a perfect example of a cheap weddings idea that don't compromise on elegance.The Easy Rental Process
Renting the dress and veil was a straightforward process. I discovered PS Bridal early in my search, impressed by their good reviews. I completed their 'Style Quiz', and the recommended styles matched what I had envisioned, making it feel like fate. Their 'try on service' allowed me to try on dresses at home, a relaxing experience free from the pressure of a bridal shop. Once I chose my dress, I simply returned the others and paid for the rental. PS Bridal provided a personal stylist, Zoe, who was incredibly helpful throughout the process, offering advice and personal discounts.
Overcoming Challenges
There were minor challenges, such as changing my rental choice after my initial selection, which was handled smoothly. Initially, I struggled to align the try on dates with dress availability, but a quick chat with Zoe resolved this, allowing me to try all the dresses in one go.Exploring Choices and Selection
I tried on five dresses before making my final choice. PS Bridal offers both brand new and pre-loved dresses, and I was amazed at the condition and quality of the pre-loved ones. Ultimately, I chose a pre-loved dress that was immaculate and felt brand new.
Recommendations for Future Brides
Would I recommend renting a wedding dress and veil to other couples? Absolutely! It's heartwarming to wear a dress that has already created happy memories for another bride, knowing it will go on to be loved again. Even if you don't find the perfect dress, consider renting a veil, as it's often not worn for the entire day and can easily be reused. This is one of the best eco wedding ideas for couples looking to make sustainable choices.My tip for those considering this option: give it a try! You might be pleasantly surprised and feel great knowing you've made a sustainable choice while saving money. Cheap wedding ideas can be both stylish and environmentally friendly.

The Wedding Day Experience
Wearing a rented dress on my wedding day felt fantastic. The fact it was rented hardly crossed my mind, except for being careful to look after it. I loved sharing that the dress was rented whenever I received compliments.Our wedding day at Tree Top Escape was perfect. The venue, surrounded by nature, was exactly what we wanted, and the pictures are just stunning. A particularly emotional moment during the vows, looking out at the beautiful landscape, helped keep me present and calm.

Cost Savings and Values
Cost-saving was a significant factor in our decision, especially since we opted for an intimate wedding. My husband also rented his suit. However, the primary driver was sustainability and staying true to our values. We are both thrilled with our choice and feel glad that we took this route. Our wedding is a testament to how eco wedding ideas can beautifully align with cheap wedding ideas without sacrificing the magic of the day.Final Thoughts
Renting my wedding dress and veil was a decision that aligned with my environmental values, saved us money, and contributed to a memorable and beautiful wedding day. If you're considering an eco-friendly option for your wedding attire, I highly recommend PS Bridal. Their range of beautiful, high-quality dresses and veils, along with exceptional customer service, made my experience seamless and enjoyable. For more information on their services, visit PS Bridal.
If you're looking for a stunning and intimate wedding venue, Tree Top Escape offers a unique and enchanting setting surrounded by nature. Our ceremony-only package is perfect for couples wanting a private and personal celebration. To learn more about booking your intimate wedding at Tree Top Escape, visit Tree Top Escape.
We hope their story inspires other couples to explore sustainable and cost-effective options for their big day. Embrace the beauty of eco-friendly elegance and make your wedding a memorable, guilt-free celebration of love. Amazing photographs by Michelle Ley Photography




