What to do with Old Wedding Dresses

For countless people, the day of their wedding is a day they look forward to for years. It's a great occasion to celebrate your relationship and spouse with your family and friends and, of course, to have a good time with everyone you hold dear.  

For many of us, it is also the perfect occasion to go big and bold with our outfits by wearing something we wouldn't normally wear in our everyday life. After all, most of us wouldn't show up at the grocery store in a tuxedo. 

The same goes for wedding dresses. Often these dresses aren't just any dress to those who wear them, but a cherished memento that can hold a lot of memories and mean a lot to the wearer. If you bought one for your wedding, chances are your wedding gown is the most lavish, elaborate garment you have ever owned.  

Why you might want to give your old wedding dress a new life

Given all the sentimental meaning this type of dress can have for those who choose to wear it on their wedding day, it’s easy to see how simply storing it in a closet might feel like an underwhelming end for the dress we wore on one of the most memorable days of our life. 

Plus, we have all heard that the most sustainable thing we can do when it comes to our clothes is to wear them as much as we can, and while wearing a wedding gown in our everyday life may not be precisely feasible, we can still reuse it and repurpose it. 

Doing that won't only lower the environmental impact of the gown, but it will also allow us to cherish the dress we wore on such a special day and the fond memories it holds. We might not often get to spend a day laughing and celebrating with all we love, but we might get to remember that day by giving a new life to our beloved wedding dress and bringing it into our everyday life. 

1. Dye it and re-wear it 

While there are many more budget-friendly options for wedding dresses, such as choosing a hand-me-down wedding dress or purchasing a second-hand one, wedding dresses tend to be quite an investment. That's why it makes perfect sense both environmentally and financially to wear it if that is something we are comfortable with and suits our personal style. 

This option may be perfect for those who chose a dress closer to a special occasion or even an everyday dress rather than a classic wedding gown. It is, in fact, way easier to adapt a wedding dress for day-to-day wear if it doesn't have a full skirt and a structured or heavily decorated top. If that's you, you can take your dress from reception dinner to dinner with your besties appropriate with just a few touch-ups. 

If you went with the classic white or off-white for your wedding dress, dyeing the dress might be a great idea to make your wedding dress more wearable outside the wedding hall.

To turn this alteration into a fun and sustainable activity, you might want to look into dyeing your dress using plants and flowers that are locally available to you. That will make the result more sustainable and more unique.

2. Donate it 

Your wedding dress has already accompanied you during a meaningful and memorable day. To give even more meaning to your wedding dress, even after your wedding day is over, you can choose to donate it. 

By donating your dress, you will allow your dress to make someone else happy on their wedding day and support a charitable cause. In fact, by mindfully parting from your old wedding dress, you can contribute to various causes, such as supporting brides who cannot afford a new gown, funding cancer research, or closing the gender gap in technology. 

Several organizations in the United States, like Brides for a Cause and Brides Against Breast Cancer, sell second-hand wedding dresses and donate their profits to charities and other good causes. 

Such organizations are only great places to buy your wedding if you still need to, but if you have purchased your dress already, they give you a great chance to provide even more meaning to the wedding dress you bought. 

Just remember that there tend to be limits on how old the donated dresses can be, so you might want to decide if and to which organization you'd like to donate your wedding dress before your wedding day.   

3. Pass it down

Passing down one's wedding dress is a beautiful way to start a beautiful family tradition or keep it going and allows a younger loved one to feel more connected to you and your family history. Passing the dress down can be a great option for those who got married many moons ago and whose dresses might not be fit anymore for the other options we have listed here. 

While a vintage dress might be an excellent fit for some, the loved one you are passing it down to might want to alter the dress to make it more modern, in addition to taking care of the cleaning and minor repairs it might need.

To ensure this is a happy step in getting ready for a happy occasion, ensure that the loved one you want to pass the dress down to is genuinely pleased getting married in a hand-me-down dress and that you are both comfortable with the eventual alterations.  

No worries, if you can't take care of that yourself, a good dry-cleaner and a talented sewist can give back your wedding dress all the luster it had on your special day. 

Bonus points, getting your old wedding dress ready for its next wedding might be a great bonding experience for your and the wedding dress's next wearer.  

4. Create keepsakes

Many people treasure the tradition of keeping a wedding dress as a visual reminder of their special day. Making keepsakes out of your wedding dress enables you to relive the unforgettable moments of your big day and leave irreplaceable heirlooms for the future generations of your family.

You have many options to preserve the beauty and significance of your wedding dress by turning it into a keepsake. These one-of-a-kind creations, which range from customizing the dress into anything from a quilt or cushion to tableware, serve as daily reminders of the happiness you and your loved ones felt on your wedding day.

5. Sell it    

Selling your wedding dress is an excellent option for those on a budget to give their wedding dress a new life. As wedding dresses can be a considerable expense for many, selling them can easily offset part of the cost of the dress you fell in love with.  

You can sell your old wedding dress on specialized platforms like Still White and Nearly Newlywed and on more generalist clothing resale apps like Vinted or Depop.  

Remember that when it comes to selling a wedding dress, a seller should go through the same checklist as those selling regular clothes, so make sure that your dress is clean, be honest about its conditions, and make sure to provide the pictures, info, and measurements prospective buyers might need.     

6. Repurpose your wedding dress into other items

Repurposing your wedding dress into other garments is a fantastic way to take your wedding dress into your everyday life, even if your wedding dress is fairy-tale-ready.  

A skilled professional can help you in this task to ensure you can save as much of the dress as possible while making one or more garments that are warble and to your taste.  

By taking apart your wedding dress, you can turn the structured top part into a corset-style top to wear with anything from jeans to other dresses. 

The skirt can be de-puffed and shortened, and the layers you take out can be repurposed as petticoats to wear under other dresses and skirts to give them form and volume. You can also save the bodice and remove the sleeves to add them to a sleeveless dress. 

Alternatively, you can even use the fabric to make a beautiful dressing gown which can even become a beautiful familiar heirloom. 

7. Rent it out

If you want to keep the dress in its original form and don't want to part from it forever, renting it out can be a terrific option. 

You can rent it out locally to you or via services like By Rotation, the platform allowing users to lend their clothing and accessories by simply listing their fashion items on the app. You can then approve or deny requests and ship the dress to your renter of choice. 

8. Display it

If there is one characteristic wedding dresses are known for is their beauty, so why not display such a gorgeous item in your home? This is an easy, hassle-free option to turn your wedding dress into a memento of your special day.

If you wish to display your dress, you can either frame it and hang it on the wall or place it on a mannequin. Either way, you'll get to see your wedding dress's unadulterated beauty in your everyday life, adding a touch of magic to the mundane.  

 9. Wear it on special anniversaries

Another excellent option for those who want to keep their wedding dress just as it is is to wear it on special anniversaries. 

If that tickles your fancy, it is of the utmost importance that the dress is kept in tip-top shape in the years you won't be wearing it. So make sure to get your dress cleaned adequately after your wedding day and avoid covering it with the standard plastic bags they wrap clothing in at the dry cleaner as those could cause yellowing in the long run, and opt for a breathable garment bag. 

Also, make sure to take the dress out periodically to intervene as soon as possible if any damage has occurred.  

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About the Author

Roberta Fabbrocino is a journalist specialized in climate change and sustainability-related topics. Her articles have been published in several international eco-publications. Roberta also works as a content writer for sustainable companies.

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A Guide to Apartment Gardening

There are many reasons to love gardening. Whether you like seeing a tiny seed turn into a lush plant, enjoy spending time away from technology or want to harvest your food instead of purchasing expensive alternatives, there are many options. 

You might think you need a house with plenty of land to enjoy a garden, but that’s far from the truth. You can grow and harvest many plant varieties in a small section of your apartment. 

Here’s how to get started with apartment gardening. 

Benefits of Apartment Gardening 

There are many advantages to having a garden in your apartment, whether large or small. 

Grow Your Own Food 

Growing produce in your apartment reduces waste caused by mass food production. Big farming and associated transportation make up 26% of global carbon emissions. Grocery store visits are unlikely to stop with an apartment garden, but you can reduce your carbon footprint by locally growing and sourcing your food. You’ll likely save money since you won’t be as impacted by inflated prices. 

Buying and using fewer things helps the environment. It’s hard to control the amount of snacks in a package, but you can grow more or less food each year, so you get a lot of delicious food without wasting much. 

Evidence shows that locally grown food is more nutritious and tastes better than mass-produced options. It makes sense since produce might travel the world before getting to you. The freshness and nutritional value decrease by the time it reaches your plate. Grocery store items can still be good for you, but picking crops yourself might make you more willing to eat them, improving your overall health. 

Purify the Air 

One of the disadvantages of living in an urban area is the higher concentration of air pollutants in the atmosphere. Having plants in your apartment can reduce the amount of irritants in the air and help you breathe easier. 

Plants take in carbon dioxide and expel more oxygen for people to breathe. It’s an incomparable relationship. Gardens and houseplants remove the CO2 you inhale as well as the carbon emissions in and around your apartment. Growing plants is a sustainable and inexpensive alternative to an air purifier. 

High pollution levels can contribute to respiratory conditions like allergies, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Having an apartment garden can reduce your risk. 

Improve Your Mental Health

Having an apartment garden might make you feel calmer or happier. Research shows that being around plants can help reduce symptoms of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Having plants around can also improve your focus and inspire your creative side. 

There is a connection between physical and mental health. Eating more fresh foods from your garden could lift your spirits. 

People who live with chronic stress can find benefits in mindfulness. Gardening is an excellent way to practice it because you focus on your actions. Ensuring each plant has enough soil, fertilizer, water and sunshine are things you can concentrate on but are simple enough tasks that they don’t stress you out. 

Gardening is also a surprisingly physical activity and contributes to the suggested 150 minutes of aerobic activity adults should partake in each week. Regular exercise is a great mood booster that can strengthen your mental health.

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Creating an Apartment Garden

Starting an apartment garden is easier than you might think. All plants need the same type of care, whether in a field or a windowsill. Choosing your crops carefully and tending to them well will yield a harvest in no time.  

Choose Your Location 

You’ll need to plant your garden in a location with the following conditions: 

• Sun: Sunlight helps your budding beauties turn water and CO2 into energy. Some plants need more than others, so look at the directions on your seed packets to ensure you give them enough but not too much natural light. 

• Water access: Plants need water to hydrate and continue growing. 

• Drainage: Your crops need water, but too much could drown their roots. Having a pot or container with drainage can prevent this issue. 

• Fertilizer: Giving your plants a boost with fertilizer can help them grow stronger inside or outside your apartment. 

Balcony or Patio 

Take advantage of any outdoor space to give your plants a good chance of growing like they would in the ground. You can use containers or grow bags to produce taller crops since you don’t have to worry about them invading your living space. Just watch for potential frosts so you know when to cover them or bring them in for the night. 

Near a Window 

Another good option is growing plants in a window. Depending on the sunlight it lets in your apartment, you could get a good number of crops. If you don’t have many windows, consider setting up a small herb and vegetable garden to grow delicious produce while minimizing used space. 

Windows can be an excellent solution for plants and produce that only need partial sunlight to thrive. Being indoors protects them from pests that may try to eat their leaves and damage your hard work. You can also better regulate the temperature of your garden inside, helping it last longer. 

Indoor Gardening System from MyGardyn

Gardening Systems 

Many companies recognize the desire for apartment gardens and offer systems that give your plants what they need without worrying about their care. They are excellent solutions if you are tech-savvy, can afford one and don’t have much time to spend on your plants. 

One example is a hydroponic version, which has the right temperature and frequency of light to practically eliminate the need for any sun. It and similar models have lights to alert you when to add more water or fertilizer to your plants. 

Many brands and options are available, and with some research, you can find which system works best for your budget, skills and desired plants. 

Decide What to Plant 

Determine what to grow as you figure out where you can plant things. Many plant options can thrive in an apartment. 

Fruits and Vegetables

You can grow many different fruits and vegetables in your home, and dwarf varieties are available. Lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries and peppers are some of the many great options for container gardening. You can also pot dwarf lemon, banana, clementine and even apple trees in an apartment. 

What you choose to plant should depend on the space available, the climate you live in, the care the plant would need, and your aesthetic or taste preferences. 

Flowers 

You can grow flowers and other decorative plants indoors. Use small or large beds for your windows or balcony. You can also pair various houseplants to provide a sense of nature in the city. 

Small flowers work well in border gardens surrounding your walkway, patio or balcony. You could also choose to plant a cut flower garden, which you can use for homegrown bouquets. Consider planting sunflowers and taller plants that can block your neighbors’ views if you want more privacy. 

Choose Your Container 

Once you know what and where to choose which containers you will use for your apartment garden, you’ll need items that accommodate the needs of your plants’ future size and root growth. You can replant some seedlings as needed, but others work best if you plant them in the gardening container they’ll remain in. 

You can purchase a container garden frame or build one that fits best for your space. Large pots can work well for some plants and are easy to rearrange to get the best setup for you. If you want to conserve space when you’re not growing plants, consider using fabric grow bags that you can clean and fold away at the end of the season. 

Another thing to consider is how easy it will be to clean your containers. You don’t have as much space to grow, so choose a solution that minimizes the mess. Pots are easy to sweep around, and a tarp can help prevent balcony plants from dripping on your downstairs neighbors. 

Using Your Garden 

Once your plants bloom or are ready to harvest, you can start enjoying them. 

Experiment with different recipes or make preserves to access healthy, fresh food all year. There are also many other ways to use your harvest. 

Give Back 

If you have more than you want, consider donating some of your food or plants to community members who could use them. Share your bounty with neighbors and friends who can appreciate the hard work that went into their growth. 

You could also use your plants as a source of extra income. Offer locally grown fruits and vegetables or make flower arrangements to sell to individuals or other local businesses. 

Compost 

Get a head start on next year’s garden by composting the organic waste your current plants create. Apartment composting doesn’t have to be a smelly affair. Many companies now produce countertop options that conceal odors and create nutritious soil to help your next crops thrive. 

Beginning Your Apartment Garden 

You can enjoy fresh plants all year from your apartment garden. Whether you grow food, flowers or other greenery, having live plants around can significantly impact your life, the environment and the lives of others.

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About the Author:

Mia Barnes is a health and beauty writer with a passion for sustainable living and wellness. Mia is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine, an online publication that covers healthy and eco-friendly living. Follow Mia and Body+Mind on Twitter and LinkedIn! 

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The Best Sustainable Blankets for Your Home

What feels better than curling up with a cozy blanket after a long day?? And what makes it even better is knowing your blanket is eco-friendly and sustainably-made. We have quite the collection at our house, so I added some of our favorites!

What makes a blanket ‘sustainable’?

When looking for sustainable blankets, the first thing we look for is the material. Is it made from a natural, eco-friendly fabric? Each of these blankets is made with sustainable fabric, and many are labeled ‘organic,’ meaning they have gone through a stricter farming process than conventional fabrics. Next question - are they ethically made? We need to know if the person behind the product was paid a fair wage in safe working conditions. Finally, are they cozy and made to last? We want them to be practical and future staples of your home you can enjoy for many years.

Our Top Picks for Organic & Sustainable Blankets:

1. Organic Cotton & Wool Throw

Brand: Under the Canopy

Material: Organic Cotton & Wool

Price: $107+

We always direct people to this brand because they create affordable organic products for the home. Under the Canopy adheres to 6 certifications {FAIR TRADE, GOTS, OEKO-TEX, C2C, RCS & FSC}. This beautiful throw comes in 4 different colors/prints and is made with 70% organic cotton grown in Turkey and 30% organic Merino wool from Argentina.

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2. Cascade Matelasse Blanket

Brand: Coyuchi

Material: Organic Cotton

Price: $248+

Made from 100% GOTS organic cotton sourced from India and then woven in Portugal. We love how Coyuchi breaks down its product’s impact. These blankets save almost 3k days of drinking water, avoid 13 miles of driving emissions, and 276 square feet of land farmed without pesticides.

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3. Waffle Bed Blanket

Brand: Boll & Branch

Material: Organic Cotton

Price: $219+

With a breathable weight and touchable texture, the Waffle Bed Blanket has the highest quality threads sourced from the finest long-staple 100% organic cotton. Find it in ten different colors (we love this natural one) and three sizes (twin, full/queen, and king/cal. king)!

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4. Happy Habitat Recycled Throw

From: West Elm

Material: Recycled Cotton (+ 20% acrylic)

Price: $175

Kansas City-based Karrie Dean of Happy Habitat makes the sweetest handmade blankets!

We love the retro flower & geometric print and the use of recycled cotton threads.

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5. Organic Cotton Blanket

Brand: Savvy Rest

Materials: Organic Cotton

Price: $89+

Savvy Rest is an employee-owned B Corp offering cozy organic bedding, mattresses, and more. We love that they source only the highest quality organic and natural materials for their home products. This organic cotton blanket is available in sizes Throw - CA King. The neutral cream color goes with any decor & the gorgeous herringbone weave adds a classic design and texture.

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6. Diamond Blanket

Brand: Pottery Barn

Material: Organic Cotton

Price: $62

A great way to add texture to your bedding, this diamond blanket is responsibly made from 100% organic cotton and comes in several sizes and neutral colors. I love that Pottery Barn has been using more organic cotton!

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7. Weighted Blanket

Brand: Saatva

Material: Cotton, Glass Beads

Price: $345+

This beautiful weighted blanket is made from ethically sourced cotton free of potentially harmful chemicals, non-toxic dyes, and all-natural glass beads. Its soft diamond velvet exterior provides comfort, while the beads in the blanket provides gentle, even pressure. Find it in two sizes: single (12 lbs) or Queen/King (20 lbs).

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8. Woodrose Waffle Blanket

Brand: Magic Linen

Material: Linen & Cotton

Price: $149

Magic Linen is one of those brands I would occasionally browse, making mental wish lists of what I want our future room to look like. So I’m finally happy to say I own one of their blankets, and it’s this beauty right here! We have it in my office / spare guest room, and with the pinks and blues I’ve already put into the room, it fits in perfectly. Find it in ten different colors!

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9. Array Quilt Throw

Brand: Anchal

Material: Organic Cotton

Price: $298

Made in Ajmer, India, with 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton, the Array Quilt Throw features a beautiful geometric embroidery pattern. It’s a great way to add warmth and texture to your room. Anchal’s approach to creating their textiles revolutionizes the traditional Kantha quilting techniques from north India to create modern, heirloom-quality pieces.

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10. La Calle Alpaca Throw

Brand: The Citizenry

Material: Baby Alpaca

Price: $159

Made from 100% super soft baby alpaca and handwoven by master artisans in a quiet mountain village in the Peruvian Andes, each throw takes about a week to complete. Plus, all are made exclusively in a fair trade environment.

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11. Knit Throw

Brand: Zestt

Material: Organic Cotton

Price: $111

We own this blanket from when I partnered with Green Roost. It is one of my favorites, and I use it every day! The Knit Throw is made in India with 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton, and the neutral colors (grey and soft white) are perfect for the chair or couch in your living room.

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12. Cross Throw Blanket

Brand: Newly

Material: Recycled Cotton & Plastic Bottles

Price: $128

We own this blanket, and it is so soft!! I love the fact it is reversible.

Their soft, classic cross throw in neutral, grayscale tones is made from 51% recycled cotton &12 water bottles worth of plastic! Because of this, it also saves 2,250 gallons of water. It is also made right here in the US.

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13. Ilse Throw

Brand: MINNA

Material: Cotton

Price: $165

Handwoven in Oaxaca, Mexico, the Ilse throw is perfect for the living room or bedroom or thrown on the table as a tablecloth. They use a flying shuttle loom, & they look pretty impressive!! MINNA, the brand and store, is a queer woman-owned and majority queer or woman-operated business.

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14. Throw Blanket

Brand: Grund America

Material: Organic Cotton

Price: $118

Another beautiful throw that can fit perfectly in any room is this 100% organic cotton blanket from Grund America.

This brand is well known for its home goods and bath towels. Their prices are more accessible than most, but the quality is still excellent. This style comes in 4 neutral colors.

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15. Weighted Blanket

Brand: Bearaby

Material: Tencel, Organic Cotton

Price: $199+

We have been using Bearaby’s Tree Napper for the last couple of years - well, my husband has officially taken it as his own. It is fantastic, and I love that these weighted blankets are made with organic cotton and (my fave) Tencel - and they look so cute in your living room or on your bed - or, in this case, on a hammock.

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related reading you may also enjoy:

Image: Grow Fragrance

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the world a better place!

The Best Non-Toxic Fall & Christmas Candles

Are you looking for sustainable candles to bring in the holiday cheer? I don’t know about you, but it’s almost impossible not to light my first fall candle before September. There is always a day in August with just the right breeze to put me in the mood for the new season. Then, right after Halloween, I immediately go for the Christmas tree-scented candles! The last four months of the year are always a favorite of mine, and I feel like the candles are a special part of it all.

I’ve been guilty of buying scents at stores like Target, but there are many better places to buy candles. You want to ensure what you are burning in your home is made with safe ingredients and poured ethically. Many candles you find today are made with paraffin wax derived from petroleum, coal, or shale oil. When burning, this wax releases toxic compounds into the air, like acetone, benzene, and toluene, all known carcinogens. With this list, you don’t have to worry about those! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with all the best smells :D

Fall Collection

Grow Fragrance

$34

Hands down, my favorite non-toxic candle brand! Grow Fragrance’s new Fall Collection transports you to pumpkin patches and orchards. Choose from Pear Cider, Ginger Pumpkin and Woodland Sage - or get the entire set for a discounted price! These 100% plant-based, refillable candles also make the best gifts for your holiday hosts!

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Butternut Bakery Bundle

Siblings Co.

$71

Siblings wanted to fix the wasteful candle industry by offering a more sustainable way of doing candles - refilling them yourselves. Their wax is a 100% natural blend of coconut and soy wax and uses non-toxic, cruelty-free fragrances and essential oils. The bags are 100% compostable and made using 99% plant-based materials!

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Spiced Pumpkin

P. F. CANDLE CO.

$24

There's nothing like lighting your first spiced pumpkin candle of the season! This P.F. Candle Co. candle is hand-poured with 100% domestically-grown soy wax into apothecary-inspired amber jars with a signature kraft label and a brass lid. It's meant for dressers, countertops, nightstands – everywhere - and can be reused after, right?!

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Apple Cider Minimalist Candle

Brooklyn Candle Studio

$28

Made in a Brooklyn workshop, these candles use sustainable soy wax and phthalate-free perfume oils infused with essential oils, and are inspired by nature and travel, moments and memories. All candles are petroleum-free, cruelty-free, phthalate-free, and 100% vegan, and poured and labeled by hand by their team of artisans.

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Trentino Organic Candle

Sanari Candle

$34

The Trentino Organic Candle infuses certified organic essential oils of cinnamon bark and clove with a vegan coconut wax blend, hand-poured into a reusable wine glass (how amazing is that?!) in small batches in Los Angeles, California. This one is infused with woody cinnamon bark, vanilla bean & clove.

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Mountain Happiness

Prosperity Candle

$24

This one smells good any time of the year when you want to feel like you are in the mountains, but it fits perfectly with the holiday season. Every candle is ethically made by women artisans and refugees here in the U.S. They never add dyes or enhancers, & each is poured with all-natural soy and coconut waxes, pure cotton and wood wicks, & premium fragrances made with essential oils.

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Freakshow Wine Bottle Candle

Candleholic Shop

$20

Candleholic candles are unique because they're handcrafted from recycled and upcycled wine and liquor bottles. The wax is hand-poured in the USA out of paraben-free, natural soy. Mulled Cider and Chestnut's fragrance puts a twist on the classic fall and winter scents of spiced cider and roasted chestnuts. You'd love this brand if you're a wine connoisseur or bartender - or appreciate an excellent upcycled product!

Image: Taylor & Hart

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. This post is also sponsored in part by Valley Rose and Gardens of the Sun. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

Ethical Engagement & Wedding Rings

Purchasing an engagement ring or a wedding band is a challenging task. There are many different jewelers and designs, making for a daunting process. And for many women today, where their diamonds come from is an essential aspect of the ring. Every jeweler we have listed here has high ethical standards for what, how & where their rings are produced. These rings are as sustainable as a wedding ring can get, from lab-grown diamonds to recycled metals. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that they are GORGEOUS!

What is an ethical engagement ring?

An ethical engagement ring has been made using fair labor and is made of materials that have also been sourced fairly. Unfortunately, the diamond industry is full of corruption and has extreme working conditions, forced labor, and child labor. The brands listed here do not partake in those activities and go above & beyond to see the jewelry industry more sustainable in the future.

What is a sustainable engagement ring?

A sustainable engagement ring is ideal because it looks at the ethics of how it is produced AND how it affects the planet. Now that we have found a way to create diamonds, we don’t have as high of a need to dig for more. Enough gold and silver are circulating, so we can easily recycle them to create new jewelry. Sustainable engagement rings can be made from eco-friendly materials like man-made diamonds, fair-mined diamonds (which hold strict regulations on who and how the diamond is mined), and vintage and recycled materials.

Our Top picks for Sustainable, ethical engagement & wedding rings:

1) Valley Rose

Price | $420 - 2990

If you are looking for something unique, yet stunning, you must check out these hand-crafted pieces by Northern California-based designer, Brittany Groshong. Valley Rose designs are each made with a technique called lost-wax casting, which is where they create an original model hand carved in wax. They use the highest quality and ethical materials like Fairmined gold and ethical gemstones including recycled diamonds and SCS certified sustainably rated grown diamonds. The collection is inspired by the mystery and beauty of the cosmos.

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2) Gardens of the Sun

Price | $69 - 4399

This is your brand if you want a genuinely transparent (& exquisite) engagement ring! A Certified B-Corp brand, Gardens of the Sun was created by Meri Geraldine, who had a strong love for jewelry but wanted 100% ethical jewelry to wear. Their guilt-free line of bridal rings is mercury-free, doesn’t endanger forests and wildlife, and supports artisanal miners and makers. Plus, if you love color and something different than the usual wedding band, you will find this here - & they offer custom rings!

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3) AUrate New York

Price | $160-3,000

If you are looking for a more affordable option for a wedding band or engagement ring, AUrate New York is a great jeweler to check out. They are based in NY, and employ 7th generation jewelers to create their beautiful pieces. From recycled gold to high-grade pearls, their materials are all sustainably-sourced. They have an in-home try on program, but if you live in New York, they have 3 locations for you to visit so you can see all the beauty up-close and personal!

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4) Holden

Price | $240 - 3999

Holden’s gorgeous rings are custom-made to order (meaning no wasteful excess inventory!) using 100% recycled gold and ethical lab-grown diamonds. They’re Climate Neutral Certified, which means they measure and offset 100% of their carbon emissions. Not only that, but they offer free shipping, resizing, and returns (they melt down returns to make new rings—how cool is that?). What sets this company apart even more is that their entire collection is gender-neutral and they donate 1% of sales to The Trevor Project!

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5) Plum Diamonds

Price | $590 - 12000

Another lab-grown diamond jewelry company, Plum Diamonds, was founded by female-led industry veterans and creates responsible luxury wedding jewelry for the modern couple. They offer an intuitive e-commerce customization process that brings a human touch to the digital experience of shopping for your engagement and wedding rings. Sustainability and ethics are at the core of their brand, and their diamonds are rated the highest in quality, clarity, and color.

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6) Miadonna

This is actually the brand we went with for our wedding bands. I fell in love with the Paris Vintage Stackable Band. It went perfect with my vintage Pearl engagement ring! Travis went for the Canyon Men’s Wedding Band, but in a 8mm Satin Hammer Yellow Gold. They both turned out absolutely beautiful, and we couldn’t be happier. MiaDonna uses only lab-grown diamonds and recycled metals to create all of their collections. They even have an in-home try on service if you are undecided!

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7) Taylor & Hart

Price | $1050-14,994

Based in the U.K., Taylor & Hart believes ethical sourcing should be something expected from them rather than setting themselves apart from others. Their diamonds are free of conflict & always ethically sourced whether it is mined or lab-grown. They only partner with diamond producing countries who are part of the Kimberly Process - an organization created to end & prevent the trade of conflict diamonds. You are able to also customize your ring, & can even add some beautiful colored stones in the design.

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8) Aether Diamonds

Price | $689-39,898

Aether Diamonds is the first jewelry company to actually use carbon that’s captured from the air to grow its diamonds! Aether is on a mission to become a completely carbon neutral company by 2023, but until then, you can still feel confident knowing that every diamond they sell has a positive impact on the environment. Not only do they carry gorgeous engagement and wedding rings, but also earrings, necklaces, and bracelets that come in both classic and modern designs. You can even order a completely customized piece for something even more unique.

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9) Clean Origin

With 100% lab-created diamonds, you can be sure your engagement and wedding ring is free from any conflict and is easier on the planet. Clean Origin, based in the US, uses only recycled metals and lab-grown diamonds to create their beautiful collections. They also offer free shipping, a 100 Day Return Policy, Free Resizing AND a Lifetime Manufacturers’ Warranty. You can choose from over 200 different engagement rings, over 50 wedding rings or you can choose to build your own!

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10) Vrai

Price | $745-2,500

Their diamonds are the world’s only diamonds produced with zero carbon footprint: Certified Carbon Neutral(R). By choosing one of their rings, you are helping save 250 tons of earth removed to mine a carat of diamond, 120 gallons of water used to mine a carat of diamond & 143 lbs of carbon dioxide emitted to extract a carat of diamond. Can you believe it?! Their collection of engagement and wedding rings is over 50, and filled with very classic, timeless designs.

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11) Catbird

Price | $294-14k

Catbird has been creating ethical jewelry since 2004. They work almost entirely with recycled gold and diamonds, make everything in their Brooklyn studio with a minimum carbon footprint, and always consider their impact every step of the way. If you love colors or stones other than diamonds, we highly recommend checking out Catbird’s selection!

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