Sustainable Events Collective

Sustainable Events Collective Welcome to Sustainable Events Collective! Formerly the Green Wedding Alliance 💚

We’re a one-stop shop for premium vetted vendors, all committed to sustainable events without compromise, so you can leave a lasting impression, not a lasting footprint. Chicago's Green Wedding Alliance is a collaborative network of environmentally responsible event vendors who strive to grow & inform others of responsible business practices. We connect with conscious consumers for mindful weddings, commitment ceremonies & social events. Let us help make your event less impactful on the planet, without sacrificing quality or aesthetics!

Meet Flossy Floral, a sustainable wedding florist whose designs are contemporary, structural, and artistic. They special...
10/09/2026

Meet Flossy Floral, a sustainable wedding florist whose designs are contemporary, structural, and artistic. They specialize in meadow-like contemporary floral designs for small-scale luxury weddings and intimate celebrations.

These are just some ways they stay sustainable:
🌹 Never use flower foam
🌹 Compost and source flowers from sustainable local growers whenever possible
🌹Up-cycle materials such as glass, wax, plastic, and wood for a new life at events
🌹 Use fuel efficient transportation
🌹 Use reusable packaging and transport materials
🌹 Incorporate organic farming practices
🌹 Gift florals post-event
🌹 Use handmade paper business cards

Check out their profile and give them some love!

📸 Photos provided by flossyfloral_, photography by , , &

10/08/2026

One couple's "after the wedding" is another couple's dream décor. 💍✨

The Fall Wedding Recyclery is back, and it's Chicago's largest in-person wedding décor resale event! On November 15th, come shop glassware, signage, dresses, and so much more, all at discounted prices.

Whether you're looking to score unique treasures for your upcoming celebration or give your own wedding décor a second life, this is the event for you. Shop sustainable, save money, and keep beautiful items out of landfills - all while connecting with Chicago's green wedding and events community!

🗓️ November 15th
📍
🎟️ Grab your tickets at the link in bio - we'll see you there!

🎃 Get ready to meet our Pumpkin Smash vendors! We are thrilled to have both returning and new vendors along for the part...
10/06/2026

🎃 Get ready to meet our Pumpkin Smash vendors! We are thrilled to have both returning and new vendors along for the party this year. Swipe through to learn more about the groups and businesses that are contributing to the day to make it the most smashing party ever! Our Pumpkin Smash is fun for the whole family with a DJ, warm drinks, and a photographer to remember the day, and once we’re all done, we compost everything to keep pumpkin and gourd waste out of landfills!

📍 Event Location: New Life Community Church East Humboldt Park |
♻️ Composting & Equipment: Urban Canopy |
☕️ Hot Beverages: Katherine Anne Confections |
🎵 Music & Entertainment: Total Harmony |
📸 Day-of Photographer: Alaura Creative |
📢 Tell your friends, neighbors, and family - all are welcome and you can stop by anytime throughout the event!
📍 New Life Community Church, 1651 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
🗓️ November 7th, 2026 from 11:30am - 2:30pm

is here to prove that a DJ can be so much more than "the person who presses play."They guide couples through the entire...
10/02/2026

is here to prove that a DJ can be so much more than "the person who presses play."

They guide couples through the entire planning process, bring serious high-energy performance to the big day, and keep everything flowing so smoothly that you and your guests get to just... be in the moment. No stress, no surprises. 🎶

From the first consultation to the last song of the night, they're with you every step of the way- curating the perfect soundtrack, packing the dance floor, and rounding it all out with upscale lighting and photo booth experiences. Basically, when you book Total Harmony, you're not just hiring entertainment - you're partnering with a team that genuinely cares about your vision and takes pride in making your celebration exceptional.

How they stay sustainable:
💡 Energy-efficient LED lighting, speakers, and controllers that sip power instead of guzzling it
📱 Fully digital contracts & invoices — no printed paperwork, ever
🔋 Rechargeable batteries for wireless mics and gear
♻️ Responsible recycling of old cables, speakers, and electronics
📸 A digital photo booth offering (so no paper prints piling up)

Their mission is simple: deliver an exceptional celebration while protecting the world we all share.

Give a follow!

📸 Photography provided by

10/01/2026

Why Chicago is the best city to host a sustainable wedding or event:

Ok, we might be biased (we ARE Chicago-based, after all ) - but hear us out:

🚆 This city is super walkable & transit-friendly. Skip the fleet of Ubers - the L, the bus, and good old-fashioned sidewalks mean your guests can actually get to your event without a caravan of emissions trailing behind them.

🌾 We're a farm-to-table dream. The Midwest is basically one giant farm with a skyline on top. Local caterers here have insanely easy access to seasonal, regional ingredients - less shipping, more flavor.

🏛️ The sustainable venue options are seriously stacked. LEED-certified event spaces, converted historic buildings, solar-powered warehouses, urban farms with event space built right in - Chicago's got range. Whatever your vibe, there's probably a venue here that already has sustainability baked into its bones.

♻️ And the vendor community here just… gets it. Florists doing local & seasonal blooms, rental companies ditching single-use everything, caterers composting like it's a competitive sport. We didn't build this community from scratch - Chicago vendors were already halfway there.

Basically…Chicago wasn't just a convenient place to start the Sustainable Events Collective - it was the perfect place. 💗

Planning a sustainable event in Chicago? Make sure to check out our vendor directory on our website! Link in bio.

📸 Reel cover photography by

Hi, we’re Sustainable Events Collective ♻️ Here’s a little background on us 👇We're a volunteer-run collective on a missi...
09/29/2026

Hi, we’re Sustainable Events Collective ♻️ Here’s a little background on us 👇

We're a volunteer-run collective on a mission to prove that gathering & celebrating don’t have to come at the Earth’s expense. Founded in 2011 right here in Chicago, we've spent over a decade at the heart of community-driven environmental change in an industry that's historically had a tough time going green: parties & events! 🎉

It started with a simple idea - there had to be other event pros out there who were already thinking sustainably, or who wanted to be, and party people who wanted eco-friendly celebrations without the extra stress of figuring it all out themselves.

Formerly known as the Green Wedding Alliance, we've since grown into the Sustainable Events Collective - a community of passionate volunteers spanning every corner of the wedding and event industry. Together, we're rising to the challenge and helping power hundreds of sustainable events every single year. 🌱

Send this post to someone who'd be interested to learn about the Sustainable Events Collective!

📸 Photography by

Member Feature: Catering by MichaelsThis amazing catering team proves that beautiful, personalized menus and genuine sus...
09/25/2026

Member Feature: Catering by Michaels

This amazing catering team proves that beautiful, personalized menus and genuine sustainability aren't mutually exclusive.
Every event they design starts with listening. No two weddings they cater look the same, and they offer multiple price points and menu styles to fit your day.

But what sets them apart is what happens behind the scenes.

Why sustainability? In their words: it's simply the right thing to do. The events industry runs on excess, and Catering by Michaels has made it their mission to do better - because the health of the earth directly shapes the quality of the ingredients they get to work with.
Their track record speaks for itself:

🏆 NICE Award for Best Responsible Event (Lollapalooza) - 2013 & 2014
🌱 Founding member, Illinois Food Scrap Coalition
🍽️ Member, Green Chicago Restaurant Coalition
✅ Green Seal™ and Green Restaurant Certified

Here are some of their sustainable practices…
Recycling, composting & grease recycling programs
Eco-friendly office and cleaning supplies
Motion-sensored lighting
An in-house sustainability team training staff year-round
Thoughtful, conscious food sourcing

We stan a green caterer! Go follow them on instagram to stay connected:

09/24/2026

Most gowns are worn once, then boxed and stored forever, or worse, thrown out after the reception (has anyone else heard of "trash the dress" photoshoots?!).

Here are some sustainable alternatives:

❤️Rent a designer gown instead of buying
❤️Buy secondhand/preloved (a huge and growing market now)
❤️Choose a convertible design - one that transitions from ceremony gown to a shorter, reception-ready dress
❤️Resell or donate after, rather than storing it indefinitely

Which is your favorite option? Comment below!

📸 Reel cover photography by

🍁 Fall is finally here, and it’s time to mark your calendars!🎃 On Saturday, November 7th, Sustainable Events Collective ...
09/23/2026

🍁 Fall is finally here, and it’s time to mark your calendars!

🎃 On Saturday, November 7th, Sustainable Events Collective will be back to host another Pumpkin Smash Party! You’re invited along with your friends, family and neighbors to take your pumpkins from Halloween and smash ‘em up to compost them.

☕️ Join us anytime from 11:30am-2:30pm at New Life Community Church in East Humboldt Park to partake in some smashing, hot beverages, and fun music!

📍 New Life Community Church, 1651 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
🗓️ November 7th, 2026

📢 Stay tuned for partnerships, sponsors, and more information!

Photo by Zach Caddy | Photographer

Having a fall wedding? Here are 3 sustainable ideas to incorporate into your big day:1. Let the season be your florist S...
09/22/2026

Having a fall wedding? Here are 3 sustainable ideas to incorporate into your big day:

1. Let the season be your florist
Skip imported blooms and lean into what's naturally in season - dahlias, mums, marigolds, and seasonal greenery. Local, in-season flowers travel less, last longer, and give your wedding an authentic autumn palette without the carbon footprint.

2. Consider swapping centerpieces for something edible (or plantable)
Think mini pumpkins, apples, pears, or potted plants instead of cut-flower arrangements. Guests can take them home, and nothing ends up in the trash by the end of the night.

3. Source your menu locally
Fall is harvest season - squash, root vegetables, apples, and heirloom produce are at their peak. A caterer who sources seasonally and locally means fresher food, fewer food miles, and a menu that actually tastes like the time of year.

Have anything to add to the list? Comment below. Happy fall!

📸 1st photo by , 2nd & 3rd photo by , 4th photo provided by

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