Why Sustainability Matters in Modern Toronto Weddings

A Long-Form Guide for Couples Who Want Beauty Without the Waste

Sustainability has become one of the most important conversations in the wedding industry, and honestly, it’s long overdue. Weddings are beautiful, emotional and deeply meaningful, but they can also be wasteful. Toronto weddings especially tend to be design-forward, floral-heavy and detail-driven, which makes the topic of eco-friendly planning even more essential.

The good news?
Sustainable wedding design is not a trend. It’s not rustic mason jars or burlap table runners. It’s the future of weddings. It’s thoughtful, elevated and modern. It’s the kind of luxury that feels good — visually, emotionally and ethically. And it’s completely possible to plan a wedding that feels editorial and high-end while making sustainable choices that reduce waste and support the local ecosystem.

At Dereves, sustainability is not a marketing angle. It’s embedded into how we design florals, plan layouts, source rentals and guide couples through decisions. Sustainability is not about sacrificing beauty. It’s about designing better.

In this long-form guide, we’re diving into the why and the how. Why sustainable choices matter for modern couples, and how you can design a Toronto wedding that feels elevated while minimizing your footprint.

Let’s begin.

The Shift Toward Intentional Wedding Design

Before we talk about sustainability, we need to talk about intention.

Modern weddings are evolving. Couples are moving away from wedding plans that feel transactional and toward celebrations that feel personal and meaningful. They care about atmosphere. They care about design. They care about experience. And increasingly, they care about impact.

Toronto is a city of creatives, entrepreneurs and global thinkers. Our couples are conscious. They care where flowers come from. They care about waste. They care about working with vendors who treat the planet respectfully. Sustainability aligns naturally with the values of modern Toronto couples.

Making sustainable choices isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about doing a few things thoughtfully.

Why Sustainable Weddings Matter More Than Ever

Weddings, in general, have a reputation for creating a lot of waste. Think:

• unused décor
• single-use plastics
• floral foam
• imported flowers flown across continents
• non-recyclable materials
• one-time-use items

But here’s the real truth: sustainable weddings aren’t just about reducing waste. They also create more beautiful, cohesive, intentional designs. When you focus on sustainability, the design becomes lighter, more natural and more organic. It feels less manufactured and more artful.

Sustainable weddings matter because:

1. They support local growers

Toronto has an incredible network of flower farms, especially in the Niagara, Kawartha and Eastern Ontario regions. When you choose local flowers, you support small-scale agriculture, fresher blooms and ethically grown stems.

2. They reduce environmental impact

Imported flowers often travel thousands of kilometers before landing in Toronto. Local flowers reduce carbon footprint significantly.

3. They elevate your floral design

Seasonal stems are richer in color, more fragrant and more unique. Your wedding doesn’t just look more sustainable — it looks more luxurious.

4. They minimize waste on the wedding day

Foam-free arrangements, compostable materials and reusable rentals keep things cleaner and more intentional.

5. They align with your values

This is your wedding day. If sustainability matters in your daily life, it should matter here too.

The Truth About Imported Flowers in Toronto

Let’s be honest for a minute.
Not all imported flowers are bad. In fact, many of the world’s most beautiful roses come from Ecuador and Colombia, where growers have mastered specific climates.

But imported stems have limitations:

• they are less predictable
• shipping delays affect quality
• costs fluctuate weekly
• some varieties arrive dehydrated
• certain stems bruise easily
• colors can shift during transport

This doesn’t mean you should avoid imported flowers completely. It means you should work with a florist who understands how to blend local and imported stems strategically.

Sustainability is about balancing beauty with responsibility.

What Foam-Free Florals Actually Mean

If you follow Toronto wedding florists on Instagram, you’ve probably heard the phrase “foam-free.” Floral foam is one of the least sustainable materials in the industry. It contains microplastics, chemicals and doesn’t break down naturally.

Foam-free floral design uses:

• chicken wire
• reusable mechanics
• eco-friendly bases
• water sources that support flower longevity
• intentional structure over mass-produced foam blocks

Foam-free arrangements:

• photograph better
• move beautifully
• stay hydrated longer
• create a lighter, more natural aesthetic
• reduce environmental impact

Editorial florists, especially in Toronto, rely on foam-free mechanics because they allow for more sculptural, airy designs.

At Dereves, everything is foam-free.
It’s more work. It takes more skill.
And it looks better, every time.

The Beauty of Seasonal Flowers

Sustainability and seasonality go hand in hand.

Choosing seasonal flowers is the easiest way to reduce environmental impact while elevating the design. Seasonal flowers are fresher, more vibrant and more abundant. They don’t need to travel. They don’t need cooling during transport. They don’t require logistical gymnastics.

Here is what Toronto flower seasons look like:

Spring

• ranunculus
• anemones
• tulips
• sweet peas
• lilac
• hellebore
• muscari

This season is soft, fragrant and romantic. Perfect for garden-style weddings.

Summer

• dahlias
• cosmos
• phlox
• zinnias
• strawflower
• lisianthus
• snapdragons

Summer brings color and movement. Great for bold, airy design.

Fall

• cafe au lait dahlias
• marigolds
• heirloom roses
• ruscus
• amaranthus
• mums
• foliage in warm tones

Fall florals feel warm, editorial and lush.

Winter

Winter is the most import-heavy season, but there are still beautiful options:

• winter greenery
• amaryllis
• roses
• orchids
• dried elements

With smart planning, even winter weddings can be sustainably designed.

Seasonality is not limiting.
It’s inspiring.

How Rentals Support Sustainable Design

Rentals are one of the most sustainable choices you can make.

Instead of buying brand-new décor you will never use again, renting keeps your wedding efficient, elevated and waste-free.

Rentals to consider:

• chairs
• linens
• napkins
• candle holders
• chargers
• vases and vessels
• lounge furniture
• bar décor
• signage frames

High-end rentals elevate a room instantly. They also support sustainability by reducing single-use consumption. Toronto has exceptional rental companies offering modern, editorial and luxury items that align with current design aesthetics.

Using rentals is smart design.
Using rentals is sustainable design.

Repurposing Florals: The Most Overlooked Sustainable Strategy

If there is one area couples misunderstand, it’s floral repurposing.

Repurposing florals is not “cheap.”
It is strategic.

It means:

• moving ceremony pillars behind the sweetheart table
• reusing aisle arrangements around the bar
• shifting meadows to frame signage
• placing ceremony pieces behind the head table
• moving bud vases to cocktail areas

Repurposing does not reduce the floral impact.
It multiplies it.

But here’s the important part:
Repurposing only works with good planning and a strong coordination team.

This is where month-of coordination shines. The team needs to:

• understand the floral mechanics
• know what is movable vs fixed
• organize the timeline
• have staff ready to shift pieces
• coordinate with the florist
• protect the design integrity

Without a planner or month-of coordinator, repurposing becomes chaotic.
With a professional team, it becomes seamless and sustainable.

Sustainable Stationery Choices

Paper waste in weddings is real.
You don’t need to eliminate stationery — it’s a beautiful part of the design — but you can approach it thoughtfully.

Sustainable options include:

• recycled paper
• cotton rag paper
• handmade papers
• seed paper
• minimal runs with QR codes for extras
• digital RSVPs
• reusable frames for signage

Sustainability does not mean compromising style.
It means choosing paper goods that feel meaningful and intentional.

Sustainable Wedding Planning Is Not All-or-Nothing

Couples often feel pressure to “do sustainability perfectly.”
That’s not realistic, and it’s also not the point.

Sustainability is about intention, not perfection.

You can:

• choose seasonal flowers
• reduce unnecessary décor
• rent instead of buy
• use foam-free floral mechanics
• repurpose your florals
• choose eco-friendly stationery
• support local small businesses

And still enjoy imported roses if they’re your favourite.

Sustainability is flexible.
It’s personal.
It’s about doing what feels aligned.

Why You Should Work With a Planner Who Understands Sustainable Design

Sustainable design requires coordination, communication and strategy.
A Toronto wedding planner or month-of coordinator ensures sustainable choices are executed properly.

Your planner will:

• design with seasonality in mind
• guide you toward rental options
• organize repurposing logistics
• recommend eco-focused vendors
• prevent waste through smart planning
• troubleshoot venue restrictions
• protect the design throughout the day

No sustainable decision works well if the team doesn’t support it.
The right planner makes the entire process easier.

Final Thoughts

Sustainability is not a trend.
It’s a shift.
A mindset.
A new standard for modern Toronto weddings.

Sustainable wedding planning is about making choices that feel good for you, your design and the planet. It’s about creating weddings with intention, beauty and care. It’s about florals that feel alive, rentals that elevate the room and details that carry meaning. It’s about designing a celebration that reflects who you are.

At Dereves, sustainability is woven into everything we do — planning, florals, rentals and design. We believe luxury and sustainability are not opposites. They are partners.

If you want to design a wedding that is editorial, elevated and planet-friendly, we’d love to guide you through the process.