Perched atop a scenic ridge in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Love Ridge Mountain Lodging is an affordable and beautiful venue for meaningful celebrations rooted in nature. Known for its sweeping views, on-site lodging, and flexible spaces for multi-day weddings, Love Ridge recently hosted an unforgettable celebration for Ellen and Tim, a couple who made sustainability the centerpiece of their wedding weekend.
A Wedding That Truly Reflected Who They Are
“We are both sustainably-minded individuals, whether it’s composting food leftovers, buying secondhand, shopping at our local farmers market, or bike commuting around town,” says bride Ellen, explaining why environmental values mattered for their whole weekend celebration. Ellen even works at The Scrappy Elephant, a creative reuse center that keeps arts supplies out of landfills.
“For us, it was a no-brainer to incorporate many of those same principles into our wedding as the event would be a reflection of who we are as a couple.”
Secondhand & Zero‑Waste Decor That Set the Tone
Instead of shopping for new wedding decorations, Ellen and Tim used curated secondhand pieces from vintage shops, friends, and reuse centers like The Scrappy Elephant and The Crafty Krab. This included everything from wreaths and candles to tulle and ribbon, all born again in a new celebration.
For centerpieces, they sourced secondhand vases from Circa paired with candles, and even crafted personal floral pieces using fabric from family quilts. Ellen’s bouquet and Tim’s boutonniere were made from fabric yo‑yos sewn by her great‑great grandmother: an heirloom‑rich touch that celebrated heritage over waste.
Food, Composting & Waste Solutions
Love Ridge’s versatile outdoor spaces—from the Gathering Lawn to the lodge patios—provided a natural backdrop for a wedding weekend rooted in intention. Thoughtfully sourced meals and compostable tableware brought their zero-waste catering approach to life, setting a new bar for sustainable celebrations.
- Composting & Recycling: They set up compost and recycling bins; helping ensure that food scraps and packaging didn’t go to the landfill.
- Zero‑Waste Tableware: Instead of single‑use plastics, the couple opted for compostable plates, cups, and cutlery for most meals. Rentable reusable party cups from ReUp Cups replaced disposable plastic cups at the welcome event, combining convenience with environmental care.
- Low‑Waste Linens: Saturday’s welcome dinner featured uncoated builders’ paper for table coverings, which is fully compostable and more sustainable than plastic or coated options.
Plus, Black Bear Composting supported the weekend by delivering bins and removing them for processing afterward; making it easy for everyone to participate in waste reduction.
Local Floral Partnerships & Wedding Attire With a Conscience
Flowers are an expression of place, and this couple turned to local, sustainable sources: Flora Designs and Urban Farm created a beautiful fall statement arrangement for the ceremony rock, while other floral elements came from dried flowers grown by family.
Ellen embraced both style and sustainability when selecting her dresses: her ceremony gown was purchased from a sample gown shop, while her reception look was creatively transformed from her mother’s wedding dress into a jumpsuit.
Photo Credit: Rachel Z Wilson Photography
A Sustainable Planning Philosophy
Ellen reflects on their process:
“Planning an eco-conscious wedding was just a natural extension of how we try to live our daily life. We loved the process of letting what we found at thrift stores guide the overall look of the wedding instead of having a set vision.”
By trusting what was available and giving secondhand items a new purpose, they created a uniquely personal celebration that honored both values and beauty. After the wedding, everything was donated back to reuse centers, ready for someone else to enjoy again.
Advice for Future Eco‑Friendly Couples
Their biggest takeaway for other couples?
“A low-impact wedding is totally worth it!…Even if you can’t make every aspect of your wedding sustainable, try to focus on at least one area where you think you could have the biggest impact.”
Whether it’s composting, secondhand decor, sustainable attire, or local florals, every choice contributes to a more meaningful and environmentally responsible celebration.
Why Love Ridge Is the Perfect Sustainable Wedding Venue
With its Blue Ridge Mountain wedding venue setting, Love Ridge Mountain Lodging provides an affordable getaway for multi‑day celebrations while reducing the need for heavy decoration thanks to its innate charm. Plus, on‑site lodging options for up to 100 let couples and guests stay together for a full weekend experience that embraces community, nature, and celebration.
For couples drawn to sustainability, connection, and the beauty of the outdoors, Love Ridge provides the space to create a wedding weekend that feels deeply personal, grounded, and memorable.