Planning a low waste wedding 🙃

I’m planning a low waste wedding for next year and wow, wedding culture is incredibly wasteful. I get all sorts of targeted ads that tell me I need this or that, to buy more decor, signage, guest favors, etc….. the wedding industrial complex is crazy.

Anyway, I work in the environmental sector and low waste/toxics reduction is very important to me. The venue and catering company has been wonderful and are on board with no single use items or plastic during the event. I’m thrifting candleholders and bud vases, and generally keeping decor very minimal. The ceremony and reception will be held in a botanical garden so a lot of decor is not needed. This has all been fairly easy and straightforward.

Now here is my problem: We’ll be hosting an after party in a big rental house after the botanical garden events. We’re going to provide more food and drinks at the after party but not a hiring catering company. I do not want to use plastic cups so what should I do for glassware at the after party? Would rentals be worth it? Should I buy stainless steel cups and give them as favors? (I wasn’t planning on favors) Should we thrift glasses and then donate them afterwards?

We’re expecting around 50 at the after party and most guests will be coming from out of town. It’s a big drinking crowd so I know cups are going to be important. Thank you for the advice!