The Good Peeps with eco-wedding planner Jodie from Emerald and Ebony

 
 

Haere mai, welcome!

THE GOOD PEEPS Blog Series features inspiring stories from Kiwis doing good for Papatūānuku, Mother Earth. Our guests open up their world by sharing their journey, dreams and knowledge, for us all to learn and grow from. So let’s get started!

Our guest blogger today, Jodie from Emerald and Ebony. Welcome and thank you so much for joining us. We’re excited to have you here.

  • Let’s start by getting to know you a little bit better. Could you tell us a bit about yourself? In a nutshell, who are you? (Tricky question, eh!? We want to know what makes you smile!)

Hmm... what makes me smile? Being out in nature – I loooove a good bush walk, long chats with friends, dancing my heart out and learning new things. Coffee, chocolate, craft beer, puppies... you know – just the usual stuff... 

I grew up in Te Puke, studied Building Science in Wellington and spent the last year and a half travelling NZ full time by (self-built) campervan! I think that probably sums me up pretty well.

  • What’s been your most exciting life experience so far?

In my final year of University I was lucky enough to go on a trip through China, Tibet and India. I’m not sure if exciting is quite the right word for it, but it was an incredible and eye-opening experience that will stick with me forever.

Other than that – living in a van has been a pretty wild ride. It’s amazing the things you learn when you try life from an alternative perspective for a while.

  • How, when and why did you start your wedding planning business?

I first started considering the idea when I helped out my now brother and sister-in-law with their wedding. I loved every minute, from helping with plans to attending viewings, choreographing their first dance, floral arrangements and even helping with the sewing and design of her wedding dress. I was absolutely in my element.

When it came time for planning my own wedding I decided to sign up for a wedding planning course. I somewhat convinced myself it was because that was cheaper than hiring a wedding planner but deep down I knew I wanted to take it further.

I got married four days before NZ’s first ever Covid lockdown and had registered a business within weeks. Nothing like a little lockdown to push you to try something new!

  • What gets you most excited when planning an eco-wedding?

If we’re talking about a wedding generally it’s seeing couples so genuinely excited and in love. I’m an emotional wreck at a wedding and there’s just nothing quite like knowing you helped them pull together the wedding they’ve always wanted. I’m also a sucker for all the unique little touches and subtleties that really make a wedding the couples and show off their personalities.

If we’re talking about an eco-wedding specifically, it’s seeing couples actually care. When you cautiously suggest an idea they have might not be the best ethically or sustainably, offer an alternative and they run for it with open arms. It’s the thank you’s and the ‘we had no idea!” ‘s that show me I’m really helping, and I have knowledge that’s worth sharing.

  • What have been the biggest challenges for you so far?

Definitely the living in a van while running a business. It’s so hard to stay motivated and really work on your business and stay true to your values and who you are when life is so constantly exciting. There’s always a new backyard to explore and a new thing you want to buy.

But in the same breath, living in a van has also been really clarifying in terms of knowing what my values are, why I want to stick to them in the first place and why I’m so determined to run my own business, in my own hours, that really helps people celebrate love AND the environment as one and the same.

  • Does it feel like many Kiwi wedding vendors are jumping on the ‘green’ wagon?

Hmmm... I’d have to say no. Not really, though I do definitely think there is movement in the right direction. Those that are out there doing it are so wholeheartedly in it – they might be few and far between but they’re so passionate and I think that makes the difference.

  • How do you imagine the wedding industry to change in the next decade?

Hopefully it becomes more considered and inclusive! I love that people are starting to ditch traditions and ‘obligations’ that don’t resonate with them and I jump for joy when I see other wedding suppliers talk to someone other than the ‘bride’.

The key with sustainability for me is being considered. Making decisions that you understand and doing things with thought and reason. It’s easy for things to become wasteful and damaging if you’re just throwing everything in there because you ‘have to’. 

I’m sure we’ll see lots more unique ideas and people really changing what it means to get married and have a wedding. Doing things their way and not just having a typical ceremony and reception because that’s what they’ve always seen done and that’s what their families expect.

  • If you had to give just one top tip to newly engaged couples trying to reduce their environmental footprint whilst planning a wedding, what would it be?

Cut out all the unnecessary stuff. Consider the full lifecycle of every item or service you bring into your wedding.

 I see so many eco-wedding suppliers talking about cutting your guest count as being the most eco thing to do but I really disagree. Sure – that’ll lower your footprint, but what’s the point if it means you don’t get to have all the people you want there with you?

If you consider every single decision thoroughly, have a reason you’re including it or choosing it, know where it came from before your wedding, know where it’s going after your wedding, and understand what the social and environmental impacts of those processes are, you’ll have cut your footprint significantly without even realising – promise!

  • Any suggestion on who our next “Good Peeps” could be? 

Kerry from Ecowed and Keep NZ Clean is doing some really awesome stuff to get people thinking and she’s always one for shouting out others. I’d love to hear more about how she got into it and why she does what she does for sure!

 
Claire Gillespiewedding planner, nz weddings, eco wedding, sustainable wedding