Minted is a premium design marketplace with a passion for quality-made, beautiful goods. Every piece of stationery is brought to life with the most luxurious materials, including 100% recycled post-consumer waste options, and printing techniques to create something truly one-of-a-kind.
When planning a wedding, it's easy to get swept up in the excitement, the details, and (our not-so-favorite part) the budget. However, it's also important to remember the wedding industry's environmental impact.
The average U.S. wedding produces an astonishing 400 pounds of garbage and 63 tons of CO2. Your carbon footprint could be much higher if your guest list is over 100. (Check out Less Stuff More Meaning’s interactive Wedding Footprint Calculator to calculate your wedding’s carbon footprint!)
With an estimated 2.5 million weddings a year, that’s about one billion pounds of trash and as many emissions as approximately four people would produce in a year, in just one single day, according to Kate L. Harrison of Green Bride Guide.
In most cases, the waste generated isn’t biodegradable and is considered single-use — like day-of stationery.
Thankfully, many eco-friendly stationery brands (like the ones mentioned in this article) are dedicated to offering green alternatives to drastically reduce our waste and carbon footprints — without sacrificing style.
To save you some time, we’ve narrowed your search for the most eco-friendly wedding stationery on the market, making it a little easier for you to plan the wedding of your dreams while keeping our planet in mind.
Weddings can and should be a platform for joyful and creative activism. It can be a way to weave our values, push back against traditional expectations, and use our consumer power.
Let’s start with wedding stationery!
Short on time? Here are our top 3 picks for eco-friendly wedding stationery:
→ Minted: Uses FSC-certified recycled paper with versatile designs by independent artists, and is powered by renewable wind energy.
→ Paper Culture: Each card and envelope is made with 100% post-consumer recycled paper; for every order made, the company plants a tree.
→ Artifact Uprising: Uses high-quality 100% recycled paper and powered by renewable wind energy.
By the way, some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Are paper products really THAT bad for the environment?
We’re willing to bet that it’s not the first time you’ve heard someone compare using paper with “killing trees.” While many have made the eco-conscious decision to opt for digital alternatives, how bad are paper products (like, say, our Save the Dates), really?
As a 2023 bride who aimed to plan a wedding with as little environmental impact as possible, one of my first questions revolved around paper usage — specifically stationery.
I learned that globally, we produce 420 million tons of paper and cardboard annually — that’s two pieces of paper for everyone on earth every single hour. That’s a lot of paper. Like, a lot.
Unfortunately, our paper usage does in fact kill trees. However, there’s a lot more to the story.
Paper production also contributes to environmental issues, like air and water pollution, agricultural waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and the (often overlooked) displacement of rural and Indigenous communities.
In fact, the paper industry accounts for about 26% of total waste in landfills and is the largest single industrial consumer of water in Western countries.
We’re not trying to convince you to ditch paper, though! We love when paper is printed responsibly. I mean, not only does our team work hard to sustainably produce a monthly physical good news newspaper on recycled paper using soy-based inks, but I ended up choosing to use paper stationery for my own wedding.
The good news is that paper is recyclable and can be responsibly sourced and produced.
What to look for in eco-friendly wedding stationery:
First and foremost, the most eco-friendly products out there are the ones you already own! Look around your place, take inventory of what you have (like kraft paper, calligraphy pens, etc.), and get crafty.
However, if you don’t have the capacity to add yet another item to your growing wedding planning to-do list (trust me, I get it), we’ve got a few things you should keep in mind when looking for eco-friendly paper options:
Responsible production process
You’ll likely see “FSC Certified” throughout your eco-friendly wedding stationery search; that’s a good starting point. Forest Stewardship Council certifications (or FSC Certified) paper products have less impact on the environment by using sustainable sourcing or post-consumer waste.
The FSC is a global network of over 1,000 individuals and member organizations that work in a democratic system to find solutions to safeguard healthy, resilient forests around the globe.
Though it has faced valid criticism, we find its certification process helpful for understanding brands’ thoughtfulness regarding their paper sourcing.
Materials
Look at the product description. Does it share details about the type of material used? You’ll want to keep an eye out for companies that provide details like whether its paper is FSC Certified, 100% post-consumer paper (aka recycled paper), or created with alternative materials like seed paper, cotton, sugar cane, hemp, or linen.
Beyond that, it's also a good rule of thumb to opt for natural, uncoated, and embellishment-free paper — this makes it easier for you and your guests to compost, recycle, or plant your invites later! I know it might be hard, but skip the fancy finishes (like foil and glitter). Your bank account (and the planet) will thank you for it.
Low-impact inks
Another factor to consider is the type of ink used to make your stationery. Many companies have now been offering algae-, soy-, and other vegetable-based inks — which are less harmful to the environment than the standard petroleum-based inks.
Consolidated paper
As a recent bride, I found out just how much waste we can eliminate by simply choosing not to use envelopes and RSVP cards, opting for shared table menus, and saying no to ceremony programs. It saved my partner and I a lot of money and made us feel a little better about environmental impact.
I know, I know, you’ve got a lot of information to share with your guests, but consider combining the essential information (such as time, location, and your wedding website link) to your invitations or day-of details.
For instance, in order to eliminate the need for envelopes, we chose to send out postcard Save the Dates that included our wedding date and location, our website link, and a “formal invitation to follow” message.
I also opted for an all-in-one formal invitation. All the information my guests needed were printed on the invite, and they were directed to head over to our website to RSVP and learn more details.
Company background and initiatives
While this isn’t a requirement for wedding stationery companies, it’s an added bonus when a brand not only provides its customers with earth-friendly options but also supports organizations focused on addressing climate change.
Some paper goods companies do a great job of pointing out their commitment to sustainability through their use of solar or wind energy, recycling programs, or labor practices. If all of this is important to you, dive into a company’s policies — often found in the “About” or “FAQs” pages of a website.
Using your wedding as an excuse to support businesses and organizations caring for people and our planet is definitely good, good, good.
The best sustainable wedding paper brands — for invitations, save-the-dates, and more:
Minted
This article is supported by Minted — and as a part of that, we were able to test out the Minted shopping experience and some stationery products to add a brief review to this particular section. Everything in this article was independently and honestly written by the Good Good Good team. Thank you!
What’s good: Ready to level up your sustainable wedding stationery game? Look no further than Minted's selection of eco-friendly options! Whether you’re scouring the internet for Save the Dates, bridal shower invites, or formal wedding invitations, Minted has some of the most stunning eco-friendly designs.
And the best part? The brand offers recycled paper options that are optimized for the highest photo print quality.
You’ll wow your guests with your wedding stationery, while also being kind to the planet — a win-win!
Minted is a marketplace, made up of independent artists with unique designs. The brand also uses 100% recyclable packaging made from over 80% recycled, post-consumer waste or plant-based materials.
Plus, Minted's wedding stationery is made with FSC-certified 100% post-consumer waste, and all of its products are manufactured with wind power!
Every order comes with free envelope addressing, and you can easily collect your guests’ addresses in the Minted app. Plus, every invitation design has a corresponding wedding website, which you can create for free to share videos, letters, and more photos with a free QR code on the back of your cards.
Price: Check current prices
Wedding options:
- Save the Dates
- Parties & Showers
- Invitations
- All-In-One Invitations
- Foil-Pressed Invitations
- Letterpress Invitations
- Stationery Accessories
- Day-Of Essentials
- Thank You Cards
- Wedding Suites
- Stationery Consultation & Concierge Services
Amanda’s thoughts: Here’s the thing, I came in knowing exactly what I wanted for my Save the Dates: an eco-friendly postcard with a sleek and simple design that offered painless shipping options (who wants to spend precious time addressing dozens of invites?).
I found that in the All Stacked Up design, which Minted kindly gifted to my partner (now spouse!) and me. We absolutely loved the plastic-free packaging, the paper quality (which we got so many compliments on), and that Minted did the tedious work of addressing the postcards for us! All we needed to do was take care of stamping and mailing them out.
As visual people, we also found Minted’s “Find it Fast” tool — which allowed us to simultaneously see our engagement photos on every Save the Date design — was really helpful when narrowing down our choices. It undoubtedly saved us a lot of time and energy!
We were truly blown away by our Save the Dates, and we’re so glad we were able to find such a quality option that was also kind to the planet.
→ Shop Minted wedding stationery
Paper Culture
What’s good: Looking to make your wedding invitations pop while saving the planet? Paper Culture is a one-stop shop that offers vibrant, modern, eco-friendly paper goods that also give back.
Each card and envelope is crafted with 100% post-consumer recycled paper and powered by wind energy. Plus, the brand’s eco-friendly printing processes reduce water usage and don't use harmful chemicals.
Our favorite part is that for every order you make, Paper Culture plants a tree on your behalf. (The company has already planted over 1 million trees and counting!)
But it doesn't stop there. Paper Culture works with organizations both domestically and internationally to aid in reforestation and offset its carbon footprint through carbon credits.
The Environmental Protection Agency has even recognized it as a Top 10 Climate Leader and Certified California Green Business.
Not only does Paper Culture prioritize sustainability, but it also offers a design process that's just as amazing.
You can customize your invitations by choosing from a range of designs, colors, and fonts to make your wedding invitations unique and personalized to your style. We call that a win for the happy couple and a win for the planet!
Price: Check current prices
Wedding options:
- Save the Dates
- Bridal Shower Invitations
- Wedding Invitations
- Wedding Invitation Suites
- Day-Of Wedding Stationery
- Thank You Cards
→ Shop Paper Culture wedding stationery
Artifact Uprising
What’s good: You might already know and love Artifact Uprising for its gorgeous, high-quality photo books and prints, but did you know the brand also offers beautifully designed eco-friendly paper goods too?
The same company that creates Pinterest-worthy photo albums is also dedicated to creating gorgeous Save the Dates and Thank You Cards that won't harm the planet.
Each card is crafted on premium quality, 100% recycled paper, with the option of a recycled kraft envelope. And to make things even more impressive, all the electricity used to manufacture the paper is matched with renewable wind-generated electricity.
Price: Check current prices
Wedding options:
→ Shop Artifact Uprising wedding stationery
Papier
What’s good: Papier is a UK-based paper goods company (don’t worry; the brand has standard U.S. shipping rates!) that offers stunning designs and is committed to sustainable practices.
Papier offers a range of products made with FSC-certified paper that are sourced responsibly and createdon a made-to-order basis to reduce waste.
By doing this, Papier not only minimizes its environmental impact but also guarantees that its customers receive freshly printed, high-quality stationery.
Alongside its in-house collections, Papier collaborates with up-and-coming artists, iconic brands, and fashion labels to bring unique and artistic designs to couples.
Similar to other stationery brands, Papier provides free recipient addressing and colored envelopes, as well as minimal, recyclable packaging.
Price: Check current prices
Wedding options:
- Wedding Invitations
- Save the Dates
- Menus
- Place Cards & Escort Cards
- Table Names & Numbers
- Programs
- Welcome Signs
- Seating Charts
- Thank You Card Sets
→ Shop Papier wedding stationery
Botanical Paperworks
What’s good: Sure, recycling is great, but what if decisions you make during the wedding process could help your loved ones grow their own gardens? All that’s left behind is flowers, herbs, or vegetables — and zero waste.
Botanical Paperworks, a woman-owned business, offers plantable wedding collections of biodegradable seed paper that grow into wildflowers, herbs, or vegetables — all tested to ensure it’s free of weeds and invasive species.
The company’s products (including wedding invitations, favors, and confetti) are approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the United States Department of Agriculture for planting in the U.S., Canada, European Union, and other places around the world.
Price: Check current prices
Wedding options:
- Wedding Invitations
- Reply Cards
- Favors
- Favor Tags
- Save the Date Cards
- Thank You Cards
- Place Cards
- Menu Cards
- Confetti
- Seal & Send Invitations
- Wine Tags
- Design Your Own
- Coasters
- Wedding Banners
→ Shop Botanical Paperworks wedding stationery
Greenvelope
What’s good: Greenvelope is a Seattle-based company on a mission to save paper and preserve the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Eco-friendly at its core, Greenvelope was founded to create digital invitations that would provide all of the fun of traditional cards without any of the waste that comes with them.
The company’s beautiful wedding invitation templates feature elegant designs from its community of independent artists, stationers, illustrators, calligraphers, graphic artists, and painters.
Through partnerships with the National Forest Foundation, Mountains to Sound, the National Park Foundation, and 1% for the Planet, this online card and invitation service does more than save paper. (Explore more products that give back to our national parks in our National Parks Gift Guide)
Price: Check current prices
Wedding options:
→ Shop Greenvelope wedding stationery
Bella Figura
What’s good: Bella Figura is a New York-based company that designs high-quality stationery using old-school printing techniques like letterpress and foil stamping. (Seriously, check out its sweet designs!)
But the brand is not just about looks, it’s also dedicated to using the art of letterpress for good.
Beyond using tree-free paper and soy-based inks, Bella Figura recycles and composts its waste (think: paper offcuts, empty ink cans, old rags, and so on). The company also donates its surplus paper annually to local art teachers.
If you are curious about the energy usage of the company, it is completely powered by wind energy and it collaborates with a Native American-owned green energy company that constructs renewable energy projects for Native Americans, Alaska native villages, family farmers, and rural communities.
For its employees, Bella Figura even purchases bus passes to encourage public transportation usage and subsidizes Community Supported Agriculture memberships with a local organic farm because the company believes our food shouldn’t travel 1,500 miles to reach us.
Price: Check current prices
Wedding options:
- Wedding Invitations
- Save the Dates
- Thank You Notes
- Response Cards
- Reception Cards
- Direction and Accommodation Cards
- Website Cards
- Coasters
- Escort Cards & Place Cards
- Favor Cards
- Event Cards
- Wedding Programs
- Menus
→ Shop Bella Figura wedding stationery
ForeverFiances
What’s good: ForeverFiances offers a selection of premium, plantable wedding stationery from 100% recycled paper and uses vegetable-based ink.
The company is FSC-certified and has pledged 1% of its revenues to nonprofit organizations supporting environmental causes, including Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and charity: water.
We love that ForeverFiances also offers an “All-In-One” invitation option which includes a detachable RSVP card that guests can easily pop in the mail to return — eliminating the need for additional envelopes!
Price: Check current prices
Wedding options:
→ Shop ForeverFiances wedding stationery
Words with Heart
What’s good: Protecting the environment is a major priority for Australia-based social enterprise, Words with Heart. The company focuses on women's empowerment, girls' education, and sustainability by crafting its products with 100% post-consumer recycled paper using vegetable-based inks and green electricity.
Each piece of stationery sold helps fund a day of education for girls around the world. So far, Words with Heart has funded 100,000 days of education — and counting.
Price: Check current prices
Wedding options:
→ Shop Words With Heart wedding stationery
Other eco-friendly wedding invitation ideas:
Etsy
With Etsy’s seemingly endless directory of creative small businesses, this online marketplace is a great tool to take advantage of, especially if you want to find seed paper options or digital invites.
The advantage of shopping on Etsy is the wide variety of designs and value-specific options each individual seller focuses on. We’ve narrowed down the search for you:
E-vites
Invitations can get pretty pricey — especially when it comes to eco-friendly ones. That’s where e-vites (or invitations sent via email) come in!
E-vites are not only really convenient and cost-effective, but they are also a bit more kind to our planet. By opting for digital invitations, you can eliminate the need for paper, printing, and shipping materials, reducing your carbon footprint and waste. Plus, you can still create beautiful, personalized designs that will impress your guests.
Companies like Greenvelope and Paperless Post offer jaw-dropping designs from artists, calligraphers, and top fashion houses from around the world.
Some e-vite companies even offer couples tools (for free) that are meant to make the wedding planning process a little less stressful (like instantly tracking opens and RSVPs and beautiful animation features).
DIY
Choosing to do your own wedding invitations rather than buying them from companies has become a popular option for couples looking to save money and add a personal touch to their special day.
With the rise of online design tools like Canva and access to affordable printing services, creating your own invitations has actually never been easier.
By designing and printing your own stationery, you have full control over the look and feel of the final product, allowing you to tailor your invitations to match your wedding aesthetic.
Using what you already own, buying second hand, or opting for recycled or biodegradable materials (like seed or kraft paper) can also help make your DIY invitations even more eco-friendly.
