When you get married, you are committing to a future together.

When we honor the Earth,
we honor that future.

So if you are thinking weddings are full of waste and you’re super not interested in contributing, you’re not alone!

A more sustainable wedding is in reach.

Let's work together to make the wedding industry more sustainable, one celebration at a time.

On average, weddings with 100-120 guests lead to 400-600 pounds of waste.

Much of this, however, can be minimized, composted, or recycled if planning is done intentionally.

If these numbers freak you out a bit, and you’d like to make a difference in the wedding industry,

YOU'RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

Tackling waste in the wedding industry can seem like a huge task - where do you even start?

I can help! Not only will you feel amazing about your wedding, but you'll likely save some headache associated with STUFF.

What does sustainability look like for JKP?

DIGITAL DELIVERY

From quotes and contracts to your final gallery, everything is digital to reduce wasted paper and ink.

When you do print, I offer ways to get your prints in the most eco-friendly way possible by recommending labs that share our values of sustainability and holding on to memories! If you order an album from me, the same will be true of that album!

TRANSPORTATION

I drive Maple, my Nissan Leaf, which is a fully electric vehicle. 90% of the weddings I photograph are within an hour of my home (many are much closer than that) which keeps my emissions low!

COMMUNITY

I try to make it as easy as possible for my couples to be conscious of their impact while also making sure they have a phenomenal wedding day! You are never alone in this journey!

REST

I am busy, but not so much that I cannot keep going! If I am to serve each of my clients to the best of my ability, I must be at my best! I leave time in my schedule for regular exercise and time with my family and friends to avoid burnout so I am super duper ready for your wedding day amazingness!

I’d like to invite you to make your wedding more sustainable, so we can continue celebrating weddings for eons to come!

And it's super easy!

Because JKP is a member of 1% for the Planet, a non-profit which encourages businesses of all sizes to donate at least 1% of their annual sales directly to environmental organizations.

That means your wedding will be supporting environmental non-profits approved by 1% for the Planet right here in the Twin Cities!

Best practices for a sustainable gathering

Absolutely no single-use plastic on site. Dishes and catering materials should be glassware, compostable, or reusable.
Forgo printed menus or programs for your ceremony.
Food should be local, organic, and/or fair trade to the best of the vendor’s ability.
Food scraps and waste (including toothpicks, napkins, etc. for appetizers) should be composted — not thrown in the landfill. Catering staff and venue must work together and be responsible for knowledge of composting and recycling criteria and sustainable practices for the area.
No straws or plastic cutlery available for guest use.
Floral should be organic, locally derived, and seasonal to the best of the vendor’s ability. Floral foam should not be used, and all materials used by the florist must be compostable or reusable.
Floral should be donated or repurposed after your celebration is done. Scraps should be composted.

So, are you...

...ready to make a real difference?

...willing to make your wedding bigger than you?

...ready to think outside the box?

...excited to share your journey with your guests!?

...pumped to bloom and grow throughout the process!?

Let’s all get better bit by bit, day by day!

Even if you are unable to commit to all of the above items, I still encourage you to meet as many points as possible. Afterall, the real reward is minimizing as much of your impact as possible, and encouraging others to do the same!

Never underestimate the power of asking wedding vendors to use sustainable practices. The more they are asked, the more they will see it’s something their prospective clients care about, and the more likely they are to eventually shift their practices. Every single action has a ripple effect!

Sustainability goes beyond being eco-friendly. I’d love to offer wedding photography services for free, but then how would I be able to afford my mortgage or make sure that I have enough to eat? I simultaneously believe that living in a Capitalist Economic System is destructive overall, and that it’s possible to use it for good. I have to — it’s the one we have.

So, before looking for the cheapest vendors, consider what goes into the cost of each service or item. Look for out-of-the-box ways to meet your budget, like Marie Kondo-ing items included in your wedding or trimming down your guest list.

Remember that if we are not intersectional when thinking of environmentalism, we may be doing additional harm. Low-income communities and communities of color are the hardest hit by climate change. When there is an opportunity to support or learn from these communities, we must do so.

Then Let's Do This.

A FEW FINAL THOUGHTS

PHOTOS!

When we honor the Earth,
we honor that future.