How to Create a Locally Focused Wedding

Let’s be honest. Your wedding is going to be darling. From the color scheme to the cake, I can just envision the gorgeousness now. But here’s a thought, wouldn’t it be that much sweeter if your wedding were locally sourced, too?

The idea of shopping local and supporting our mom-and-pop stores is hardly a new one, but when you consider the amount of money that’s invested into a wedding, it becomes an enormously effective way to support your community. Nerd alert – it’s a mini economic infusion that keeps more of your dollars in your neighborhood – a win-win!

So, how to go about doing some local good while planning “I dos?” Here are a few suggestions:

Buy your wedding gown from an independent shop

Whether you’re shopping for a wedding dress or venue hunting, choosing an independently owned vendor (versus a national retail or hotel chain) allows you to support your local business owners while scoring fabulous goods and services. Oftentimes, it means that you also get perks like working with people so passionate about weddings and events that they’ve created their own business to focus on helping you.

Ask your florist about regional blooms

Those lovely flowers at the shop up the street sometimes travel thousands of miles to get to you. No, really. Ask your florist if they source from regional farms, and always ask which flowers will be in season during your wedding day (you could also get an awesome deal!).

Work with Etsy artists in your area

Did you know that Etsy allows you to search by area?  Simply scroll down to “Shop location” once your search yields results and choose “Choose a custom location” to enter in your city. Voila! Click through all of the independent wedding invitation designers, hair accessory creators, calligraphers and more in your hood.

Add a dose of local flavor to your favors

Maybe there’s an iconic chocolatier up the street, or a classic soda that’s headquartered in your town. A wonderful vineyard that sells split bottles of bubbly or a bakery that serves up the most delectable treats? I just love the idea of introducing out-of-town guests to one of your favorite, local treats.  

Represent with regional eats

One of my favorite parts of our wedding was dessert catering by a local food truck. Not only did we let guests in on one of our best-kept secrets, we helped to line the pockets of a locally-sourced start up, ourselves. 

Welcome guests with a map of hidden gems

Whether they’re coming from two towns over or an ocean away, your wedding guests will thank you for a heads up on the best coffee shop, the nearest drug store or the coolest pizza joint. Mock up or hire out a hand-drawn map highlighting your favorite finds, which you can include in invitations, on your wedding website or in a welcome gift bag, delivered upon hotel check-in.

What ways are you planning to weave local love into your big day? 

About the Blogger: Jessica Blair started her own blog - Bride Guide: Detroit - while planning her April 2016 wedding. Today, she also runs an Etsy shop selling the printables she created for her wedding, and many more.