Tying the Knot, Gently on the Earth: Maidenwood, Your Twin Cities Sustainable Wedding Venue

 

You will find our sustainable wedding venue just about an hour outside of the Twin Cities, nestled amongst the wooded rolling bluffs above Stockholm, Wisconsin overlooking the majestic Mississippi River, Maidenwood offers a breathtaking nature-inspired backdrop for your love story. Our sprawling gardens, serene ceremony sites in The Pines, The Forest, and The Prairie, and the charming White Barn provide the perfect setting for a truly unforgettable wedding. In this article we will explore the little things we do to help our 40-acre nature reserve a Twin Cities Sustainable Wedding Venue.

 

At Maidenwood, we believe in celebrating love while also cherishing the incredible natural beauty that surrounds us. As a protected nature preserve under a conservation trust, we are deeply committed to being a “green” eco-friendly wedding venue. From our pesticide-free gardens and natural cleaning practices to our composting initiatives and Leave No Trace approach for photos, we strive to minimize our environmental impact. If it’s on your heart to find a sustainable wedding location in the Twin Cities area, let’s connect. 

 

Inspired by the beauty of our natural surroundings, many of our couples are also looking for ways to make their wedding day more earth-friendly. We absolutely love this! Sustainable wedding venues aren’t just good for the planet; it can also add a unique and meaningful touch to your celebration.

So, how can you weave eco-conscious choices into your Maidenwood wedding? Here are some ideas to get you inspired:

 

Embrace the Beauty of What You Have (and Borrow!)

• Venue as Décor: You’ve already chosen a stunning wedding venue! Lean into the natural beauty of Maidenwood. Our vibrant gardens in bloom, the modern, yet rustic charm of The White Barn, and the breathtaking views offer inherent décor. Minimize the need for excessive decorations and let the landscape shine. Less is more. 
• Repurpose and Repurpose Again: Consider using vintage or borrowed décor items. Think antique vases, repurposed signage, or borrowed linens. This adds character and reduces the demand for new resources and waste.
• Sustainable Signage: Opt for reusable chalkboards, wooden signs, or even natural elements like leaves or stones with calligraphy.

Blooming Responsibly: Eco-Friendly Florals

• Seasonal and Local: Choose flowers that are in season and locally sourced. This reduces transportation emissions and supports local growers. Talk to your florist about their sustainable practices. We have so many great local options to get you started on this. 
• Consider Alternatives: Explore beautiful alternatives to traditional cut flowers, such as potted plants that can be taken home as favors or planted in your garden, or even dried flower arrangements that can be cherished for years to come.
• Embrace Our Composting Program: At Maidenwood, we offer the option to compost your wedding florals on-site after your celebration. This is a fantastic way to give back to the earth and reduce waste. We will even offer to do it for you to make it even easier. 

 

A Feast for the Planet (and Your Guests!)

• Locally Sourced and Seasonal Menus: Work with your caterer to create a menu that features locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. This reduces the carbon footprint associated with food transportation and often means fresher, more delicious flavors.
• Reduce Food Waste: Plan your menu carefully with your caterer to minimize food waste. Consider offering fewer options which helps reduce waste.
• Say No to Single-Use: Avoid single-use plastics like straws, cutlery, and plates. At our Twin Cities sustainable wedding venue, we already offers a plastic straw-free bar service. Discuss sustainable alternatives with your caterer for other items. Bamboo plates and silverware has come a long way and we even have caterers on our optional preferred list who can provide this for you. 
• Recycling: We will provide multiple recycling containers throughout our property to help encourage your guest to recycle as much as possible.
• Our Chicken Friends Will Thank You: Remember, at Maidenwood, your leftover food scraps will be happily enjoyed by our resident chickens, turning potential waste into a tasty treat!

Thoughtful Favors and Gifts

• Experiences Over Things: Consider giving your guests favors that are experiences, like seed packets for native wildflowers, small potted succulents, or a donation to an environmental charity in their name.
• Sustainable and Local: If you choose physical favors, opt for locally made, sustainable, or biodegradable items. Think honey from a local farm, small batches of artisan soap, or reusable tote bags.

 

Green Transportation and Logistics

• Encourage Carpooling: Provide information about carpooling options or even consider arranging shuttle services for your guests, especially if they are staying at nearby hotels.
• Digital Details: Opt for digital save-the-dates, invitations, and RSVPs to reduce paper waste. Create a wedding website with all the necessary information for your guests. No need to print your programs for your ceremony when most guests leave them, instead opt for a sign that spells out the timing of the day’s events. On top of that, to help reduce the single use signs, we will provide signage to help (picture on the right). 

 

Capturing Memories Responsibly

• Leave No Trace Photography: At Maidenwood, we are committed to Leave No Trace principles for wedding photos. This means respecting the natural environment, staying on mowed paths, and leaving everything as you found it. Discuss this with your photographer to ensure they share this ethos.

 

Making it Official, Sustainably

• Eco-Friendly Stationery: If you choose paper invitations, opt for recycled paper, plant-able seed paper, or sustainably sourced materials.

 

Planning an eco-friendly wedding is a journey, and every little choice makes a difference. At Maidenwood, we are here to support you in creating a celebration that is not only beautiful and memorable but also kind to the planet. Our sustainable wedding location is proud of our “green” initiatives and are always happy to discuss ways to make your wedding day even more sustainable.

 

We invite you to come and experience our Twin Cities sustainable wedding venue for yourself. Contact us today to schedule a tour and let’s start planning your dream wedding – one that celebrates your love and honors the incredible environment that surrounds us.

Videos from Weddings at Maidenwood

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Twin Cities Sustainable Wedding Venue Photo Credit: Sophia Huber /  Stacia Marie Images / Devyn Lempke Photos / Grant Harms Film / Leah Fontaine

 

 

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We are dedicated to using our platform to support locally owned wedding venues. In every blog we write, we will include 5 to 10 locally owned wedding venues who use their articles to support their colleagues and the wedding industry in ways that are not always recognized but are essential. If you are searching for a wedding venue, please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.

 

• Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue
• Hidden Springs Venue 
• Swan Lake Overlook Events
• Circle of Seven Ranch
• Riverbend Estate Venue
• The Mill District