The Hidden Cost of “I Do”: Rethinking Wedding Waste at Your Tucson Wedding Venue

After just two weddings, our dumpster is overflowing.

That’s the photo you’ll see here—and it’s not staged. It’s real, and honestly, it is pretty upsetting... As a Southern Arizona wedding venue just outside Tucson, we’re used to the behind-the-scenes side of events… but sometimes, seeing that much waste generated in such a short time is unsettling...

Weddings are beautiful. They’re meaningful. But they can also be incredibly wasteful.

This post isn’t about guilt—it’s about awareness and giving you options. If you're planning your celebration at a Tucson or Southern Arizona wedding venue (or anywhere, really), there are some simple, thoughtful ways to reduce waste without sacrificing style or experience.

Decor: Beautiful Doesn’t Have to Mean Disposable

We get it—those late-night Amazon scrolling sessions feel productive and budget-friendly. And yes, you can find everything from signage to table runners to faux florals with two-day shipping.

But here’s the reality: All those boxes, plastic wrap, bubble mailers, and single-use decor items add up fast. Most of it gets used once… and then tossed.

A Different Approach:

• Use what your venue offers

  Many venues (including ours) have curated decor collections. On our website, we even have a “Something Borrowed & Rental” page with items exclusively available to our couples. These pieces have already been purchased and are used again and again—no extra waste required. Check with your venue to see what they offer.

• Rent instead of buy

  Rental companies are an incredibly eco-conscious choice. Yes, those items were shipped with all the disposable packaging at some point—but they’re reused across dozens (sometimes hundreds) of weddings.

• Choose potted plants over cut or fake flowers

  Potted herbs, succulents, or small plants double as decor and guest favors. They last, they’re meaningful, and they don’t end up in the trash the next day.

• Rethink faux florals

  Artificial flowers are often marketed as “reusable,” but most are made from plastics and synthetic materials that don’t biodegrade and at the end of the night, most of my couples - tired from a long day - don't bother and they are thrown in the trash.

Fresh flowers do have a carbon footprint due to farming and shipping—but they biodegrade naturally, returning to the earth instead of sitting in a landfill for decades.

Compostable plates and potted plants produced less waste for this wedding.

• Candle votives

I LOVE the glow of a real flame candle, but, unfortunately, it is a royal P.I.T.A. to clean and re-use waxy candle votives - they will all get thrown away (yes, I have tried freezing and scraping and all the other tricks… forget it!)  Taper candles tend to drip on linens and will blow out in an outdoor reception.  There is a new product (that is expensive) that has wax shavings and you just put a candle wick and it can be re-used, or, opt for floating candles in cylinders or LED options. Or, consider battery operated table lamps or vintage oil lamps - so pretty and re-usable!

Floating candles in reusable cylinders do not get messy wax on the glass. Greenery gathered from the farm decorated the tables for this holiday party.

LED lamps create a beautiful glow at the Micro Wedding at my venue

Bar: Less Waste, More Thoughtful Sips

The bar is one of the biggest sources of waste at any wedding—think bottles, cans, plastic cups, straws, napkins…

But it’s also one of the easiest areas to improve.

Commemorative cups that your guests re-use throughout the night help reduce the number of plastic cups going into the dumpster. Photo credit: La Lune

Smarter Bar Choices:

• Opt for kegs instead of bottles and cans

  Kegs dramatically cut down on packaging waste. Plus, they’re often more cost-effective.

  If you want to keep it local (which we always encourage), check out Southern Arizona favorites like:

  • Borderlands Brewing Company

  • Dragoon Brewing Co.

  • Pueblo Vida Brewing Company

• Or, if you’re looking for something specific, Total Wine in Tucson carries just about every option you can imagine and can help you plan quantities.

• Provide reusable or commemorative cups

  Instead of stacks of disposable plastic cups, offer guests a reusable glass or a custom cup they can refill all night. It becomes part of the experience—and a take-home keepsake.

• Consider boxed wine (yes, really)

  Boxed wine has come a long way. It’s not what it used to be and because it is packaged in larger volumes, there is less waste. Wine can be poured behind the bar (so ugly box is out of view), or dispensed in an attractive caraff.

  A few well-reviewed options couples have loved:

  • Bota Box

  • Black Box Wines

  • La Vieille Ferme (boxed option)

Dinner & Catering: Where Waste Adds Up Fast

Food service is another major contributor to wedding waste—especially when disposable plates, utensils, and serving ware are involved.

Better Options for Your Big Day:

• Use real plates, glassware, and cutlery

  This is one of the most impactful changes you can make. Yes, it requires rentals and washing—but the reduction in trash is significant, and it elevates the entire dining experience.

• If disposable is necessary, go biodegradable

  Many caterers default to convenience—especially food truck vendors, who are often some of the biggest users of Styrofoam. Unfortunately, Styrofoam is one of the worst offenders when it comes to environmental impact, as it doesn’t biodegrade and is rarely recyclable.  Look for compostable plates, cups, and utensils made from materials like bamboo, palm leaf, or sugarcane.

• Skip individually packaged items

  Things like butter pats, condiments, and pre-wrapped utensils, cute charcuterie cups or mini dessert containers create a surprising amount of waste. Opt for bulk serving instead.

• Leftovers

  At our venue, my chickens enjoy the scrapings off dinner plates - I provide a “chicken scrap” bucket for this purpose.  

Donating leftovers is tricky - most places will not accept prepared food, so, honestly, this idea is a bit of a myth.  

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A Final Thought

I'm not here to tell you how to have your wedding.

I wanted to show you what we see on the other side of it.

That overflowing dumpster after just two weddings? It’s not unusual—but it can be changed.

As a Southern Arizona wedding venue, we believe in creating celebrations that are not only beautiful and meaningful, but also thoughtful about the impact they leave behind. Even a few small choices—renting instead of buying, choosing kegs over cans, opting for real plates—can make a noticeable difference.

Your wedding is one day. But the waste from it can last a lot longer.

If you’re planning your day and want help finding ways to make it both stunning and sustainable, we’re always happy to share ideas.

And when you see that photo of our dumpster… just know—it’s the reason this conversation matters.

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My venue, Agua Linda Farm is a 63 acre ranch in Southern Arizona near Tucson. My husband and I have been hosting weddings, harvest festivals and other events on our property for more than 15 years. I write my blog posts with my clients in mind but also hope to provide a little inspiration applicable to any wedding.

Also - follow my Agua Linda Farm instagram and my Southern Arizona Living Instagram

Happy Planning!. - Laurel Loew