Recycled Jack O’ Lanterns

A quick coat of earth-toned paint and some strategically placed holes are all you need to transform a collection of used aluminum cans into display-worthy eco jack o’ lanterns. Line your walkways with these easy DIY lanterns or arrange them on a bar or buffet.

Photo: Martha Stewart

Jelloware

If you’d like to use earth-friendly disposable dinnerware at your next party but would still like to keep things stylish you’ll love this innovative new “jelloware.” These disposable cups are made from agar agar and are cast in unique flavors such as lemon-basil and rosemary-mint. When the cocktails are gone guests can nibble on these flavorful cups and toss any remains in the compost bin.

Photos: The Way We See the World

Recycled Paper

When incorporating recycled paper into your party décor think of unique options that surpass bags of confetti. This lovely table setting features rippled placemats, napkin covers, chair accents and other small table accessories all crafted from reclaimed book pages.

Photos: Green Wedding Shoes

Natural Linens

We’ve been big fans of Emerson Made for a while now and have featured several of their products on our site. After spending a good deal of time this weekend in search of simple, yet elegant eco table linens, you can imagine our excitement when we discovered the company’s new-ish line of table linens. These hand-stenciled napkins and table runners are made using 100% natural linens and are shipped in a muslin bag. Whether you plan to use these for special occasions or for everyday use the neutral colors ensure that they will be used in your home year-round.

Photos: Emerson Made

Apothecary Place Cards

Reclaimed apothecary bottles look whimsical when tied to sturdy place cards. For a fun twist roll up personal notes for every guest and tuck the notes inside the bottles.

Photo: Green Wedding Shoes

Charming DIY Garland

All it takes to make a charming strand of garland is a collection of vintage fabric scraps or mismatched cloth napkins. Drape the garland across a fence at an outdoor affair or from ceiling beams when hosting an event indoors.

Photo: Once Wed

Birch Accents

Embrace the autumn season by adding rustic wood accents to your party décor. Hollowed out pieces of fallen birch make beautifully textural receptacles for flowers, feathers and other natural objects.

Photo: Bridesmaid

Compostable Place Card Stands

Look to your local produce aisle for décor inspiration. Hearty artichokes serve as unexpected and 100 % compostable place card stands. To avoid having your place cards topple over before your guests arrive organize then in a simple tray.

Photo: My Kate Parker Wedding

Vintage Gift Tags

Looking to decorate a small favor or gift? Etsy offers recycled and upcycled gift tags that range from traditional to quirky to sweet. Book lovers will adore the assortment of eco gift tags made from the pages of vintage poetry books and recycled library catalog cards. Have a foodie in the family? Check out the many gift tags crafted from the pages of vintage cookbooks.

Photos: Etsy

Unexpected Elegance

Convinced that recycled cans can’t be elegant? When paired with colorful floral clippings and sweet treats simple aluminum cans serve as affordable vases. Because aluminum cans can easily be punctured, consider using a few simple tools and some twine to drape floral-filled cans from the backsides of chairs or around the perimeter of your party.

Photos: Bridesmaid    

Sprigs of Herbs

Looking to dress up a simple set of cloth napkins? Decorate cloth napkins with strips of linen, several sprigs of fresh herbs, such as aromatic lavender, and a snip of twine for a bit of rustic flair. 

Photo: Project Wedding

Natural Seating

When hosting an outdoor affair offer your guests casual, eco-friendly seating options. Create a rustic outdoor aisle with bales of hay. To ensure your guests’ comfort drape crisp quilts, sheets or tapestries across each bale.

Photo: Once Wed

A Greenhouse Celebration

Get an extra daily dose of veggies by creating a casual greenhouse-inspired party. Reused aluminum cans filled with small edible plants are all it takes to make a vitamin-rich table setting. 

Photo: Once Wed

Jelly Jars

Personalized jars of locally made jellies and jams serve as thoughtful and affordable favors year round. Customize each jar with vintage ribbons and one-of-a-kind labels or print special messages on tags made from recycled cardstock.

Photo: Once Wed

Make a Wish

No need to blow out a candle to make a wish thanks to these wishbone napkin rings. To get the look simply wash and dry natural wishbones and coat each in a layer of metallic paint. This is an easy eco way to create a modern autumnal place setting.

Photo: Martha Stewart

Fall Centerpiece

When creating autumn centerpieces look to the natural world for inspiration.  Gourds, kumquats and pumpkins are only a few examples of the hardy, colorful vegetables available for simply elegant fall centerpieces. 

Photo: Martha Stewart

Branches & Birds

There is no need to sacrifice your eco commitment in order to create a dramatic tablescape. Reclaimed glass mason jars provide the perfect foundation for centerpieces created using a mixture of seasonal flowers (to add color), natural branches (to create height) and small origami birds (to add originality).

Photos: The Wedding Chicks

Beautiful Burlap

In recent years burlap (a sustainable textile) has made a new name for itself in the world of décor and party design. Neutral burlap table runners lend to an elegant aesthetic when paired with vintage-inspired place settings and delicate votives.

Photos: The Wedding Chicks

Happy Autumn!

As the warm weather slowly shifts into a cool breeze take the time to visit local farms and have fun with a harvest-full of new design inspiration! A simple basket filled with “smiling” gourds is a great way to bring a bit of happiness to your guests at your first autumn festivity. Enjoy the season!

Photo: Martha Stewart

Ferns: Crisp Tabletop Décor

When dreaming up their tabletop aesthetic, many hostesses immediately imagine brightly colored blooming flowers as part of the repertoire. However, fresh green ferns lend a light, crisp tropical feel to any table. When using ferns aim to keep things simple. Just a few sprigs of fern look modern when paired with glass containers, clean white linens and just a few earth-colored accents, such as a burlap runner.

Photos: 100 Layer Cake

Floral Pin Place Cards

When it comes to place cards offer your guests more than just a designated place to sit. Instead, offer them fun, quirky pins as small favors. A simple search on sites such as Etsy will provide a number of vintage retailers who carry gently used secondhand jewelry, much of which can be purchased in bulk for a fair price.

Photo: The Knot

A Sweet Accent

Creating a final DIY accent to compliment a candy or dessert bar is just as simple as the sweets themselves! A collection of pretty pastel cupcake liners can easily be weaved into adorable strings of homemade garland. This is such a great way to rid your pantry of unused items and fashion something stylish simultaneously.

Photo: Green Wedding Shoes