Weddings are described as one of the most special days in a person’s life when love is celebrated, promises are made, and memories are created. But for Svetlana D’costa and Joel Fernandes, their wedding on January 5, 2025, wasn’t just about romance or tradition. It was about making a meaningful commitment to one another while also honouring the planet they both love and work to protect.

Their day, held on the serene shores of Cavelossim Beach in Goa, reflected their shared values of sustainability and environmental responsibility, and they proved that a wedding can be both beautiful and earth-conscious.

For the couple, sustainability is not just a passing trend or a buzzword, it’s a lifestyle they have intentionally embraced over the years. Svetlana, an environmental professional at rePurpose Global, has long embraced a zero-waste lifestyle. “Sustainability has always been a part of me,” she explains. “Long before rePurpose Global, I was composting food scraps, using a menstrual cup, and ensuring all my dry waste was recycled,” she tells The Better India.

Joel, on the other hand, has a background in finance and has worked across IT, supply chain, consulting, and sustainability. He brings a unique perspective to their partnership, both in life and work. “I could see, and came to love, Svetlana’s genuine commitment to the environment,” he says. “So, when it came to planning the most important day of our lives, it only felt natural to ensure it embodied the values we both hold dear.”

Their decision to marry near the place where they first met, at a work retreat in Varca, Goa, was the perfect starting point. “We chose Cavelossim Beach for the ceremony, just a short distance away from Varca Beach, but still along the same stretch of coastline, to revive the memories of our first meeting and to mark the beginning of our lifelong commitment to each other,” the couple shares.

From the beginning, they knew they wanted to plan a wedding that protected the planet and avoided unnecessary waste. “Our focus was clear from the start,” says Svetlana. “We both work in sustainability, so it was non-negotiable for us to make our wedding environmentally friendly.”

Finding eco-friendly solutions: The challenge of removing plastic

One of the major challenges they faced was eliminating plastic waste, particularly the ubiquitous plastic water bottles that are handed out at most weddings these days. “The challenge with bottled water was the biggest obstacle,” she admits. “At most events, the 250 ml bottled water is everywhere, whether you like it or not. But we knew we had to find a better alternative .”

They decided to set up water stations with large 20-litre cans of water, accompanied by paper cups, sugarcane bagasse cups, and reusable glasses. “We worked with the venue to set up these water stations and even paid extra to have staff maintain them........

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