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Stunning Kerala Wedding With 1200 Guests Produced Just 100 Kg of Waste!

15 0
19.06.2025

“Sustainability isn’t just an element of our wedding, it’s the essence of who we are as individuals. Every decision we made showed our commitment to the planet, and that made the whole celebration feel even more meaningful,” says Avinash, as he reflects on his and Namita’s low-waste wedding.

Avinash Tewari, a 33-year-old musician by night and digital marketer by day, and Namita Manohar, a 29-year-old service designer living in London, were united by more than just love. They bonded over their interest in sustainability and mindful living. Their paths crossed in January 2020 through a mutual friend, during a time when both were becoming increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint.

From the very first conversation, it was not the small talk that connected them. Instead, they found common ground in their shared ethical values, especially when it came to sustainability. “We connected over discussions about composting, responsible waste management, and a goal of reducing our environmental impact,” Avinash tells The Better India. As their relationship became stronger, their dream of arranging a low-waste wedding also took root.

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A love story rooted in sustainability

Their wedding, held in Kozhikode, Kerala, on 1 January 2025, celebrated their love and also showed a glimpse of their values. Namita’s family hails from Kerala, while Avinash’s family is based in Mumbai, and both stated explicitly to their families that the wedding would not be just another glamorous affair. It would reflect their promise to sustainability and responsible living. And so, a wedding that would typically create heaps of waste became an opportunity to set a new standard for low-waste celebrations.

Avinash and Namita wanted to plan a low-waste wedding and sustainability was at the core of everything

When asked about the planning process, Namita recalls, “Sustainability was at the core of everything. We had to make sure that everything we planned resonated with our values. We knew we did not want excess plastic, unnecessary waste, or carbon emissions at our celebration. Every decision was directed towards reducing our footprint.”

From the very beginning, the couple prioritised reducing waste. Invitations were predominantly digital, with a limited number of printed invites sent only to older family members who were not familiar with digital cards. These were crafted on uncoated recycled paper, with seed paper envelopes that guests could later plant to grow flowers.

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The bride’s wedding dress was another symbol of her commitment to sustainability. “My wedding sari was a beautiful handloom piece. It was customised with appliqué embroidery made from scrap fabric and........

© The Better India