Melbourne has always been a city that cares about sustainability — Sustainability Victoria reports that Victorians are increasingly choosing reuse over single-use — and that consciousness is increasingly shaping how we celebrate. If you want your event to look stunning without generating a mountain of waste, there are plenty of practical ways to style sustainably. Here are our best ideas for eco-conscious event styling that does not compromise on beauty.
Hire Instead of Buy
The single most impactful sustainable choice you can make for event styling is to hire rather than buy. Every item in our hire collection — from arches to balloon installations to floral centrepieces — is used across hundreds of events, dramatically reducing the per-event waste compared to purchasing disposable decorations.
Consider this: with Melbourne's population exceeding five million according to the ABS, the volume of event waste is significant. A single wedding styled with purchased decorations can generate over 200 kilograms of waste, much of it single-use plastics, artificial flowers, and props that end up in landfill within days. Hiring eliminates virtually all of that waste, because every piece is professionally maintained and reused.
Choose Reusable and Natural Materials
When selecting styling elements, prioritise materials that are either reusable or biodegradable:
- Fabric draping: Our Backdrop Draping Sets and Ceiling Draping Packages use high-quality fabric that is cleaned and reused event after event — a far cry from single-use plastic tablecloths and backdrops.
- Potted plants as centrepieces: Instead of cut flowers that wilt within days, use potted succulents, herbs, or ferns that guests can take home and keep growing.
- Beeswax or soy candles: Choose natural candles over petroleum-based alternatives. They burn cleaner and smell better too.
- Cloth napkins over paper: Reusable cloth napkins add elegance while eliminating paper waste.
Sustainable Balloon Alternatives and Practices
Balloons are a topic of debate in sustainable event circles. At iDo. Events, we take a responsible approach: our balloon installations are professionally installed and fully cleaned up afterwards — no balloons are released into the environment. We also use latex balloons, which are biodegradable, over foil alternatives where possible.
For hosts who prefer to avoid balloons entirely, there are beautiful alternatives. Paper fans, tissue pom-poms, fabric bunting, and dried floral installations can create equally impactful displays. Our team in suburbs like Point Cook and Werribee has styled stunning balloon-free events that looked absolutely gorgeous.
Minimise Single-Use Items
Look at every element of your event and ask: can this be reusable? Swap plastic cups for glassware, paper plates for ceramic, and printed paper invitations for digital alternatives. For party favours, consider edible gifts, seed packets, or small potted plants rather than plastic trinkets that end up in the bin.
Our Dessert Table Styling uses reusable stands, platters, and decorative accents — creating a beautiful display without the mountain of disposable props that often accompanies dessert tables.
Support Local and Reduce Transport Emissions
Choosing a local event stylist reduces the transport emissions associated with your styling. At iDo. Events, we are based in Melbourne and service over 30 suburbs including Oakleigh, Epping, and Coburg. Our efficient delivery routes across Melbourne keep our carbon footprint minimal.
Ready to plan a beautiful, sustainable celebration? Request a free quote from iDo. Events or browse our hire collection. Every hire is a step towards less waste and more celebration.
