Fashion is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions and this is expected to increase by 50% by 2030. It is also the second most polluting industry in the world .

One day, one dress

That makes these resource intensive beauties single- use and places them at the extreme end of fast fashion.

On average, the manufacture alone of one wedding dress uses between 10,000 and 20,000 litres of water and emits 10-20 kilograms of carbon.

But there’s more. Through every stage, from the production of cotton, and silk to the mass manufacturing in factories and transportation around the world to the bride herself, they use a lot of resources and carry a large footprint.

The most water used is for the production of clothing fibres by agriculture and unfortunately this places a burden on the locations in which it is grown (often countries where water stress and scarcity are already a threat)  and financial incentives to produce this at lower costs sees heavy fertiliser and pesticide use causing water pollution to the areas. 

We haven’t yet touched on the ethics around safe working conditions and fair pay…

It doesn’t need to cost The Earth

Buying your wedding dress is one of the most special purchases you’ll ever make. But this doesn’t mean it needs to be the most expensive or come at such great cost to the planet.

It’s all about extending the life of a dress that has already been made. When we purchase a second hand garment instead of a new item, significant environmental savings are made from the avoidance of production, processing, and disposal.

We also ensure that we retain its value, supporting the circular economy. Together, this is why extending product lifetimes is the first preference when it comes to actions to improve clothing’s sustainability and choosing an Evergreen wedding dress is the most environmentally friendly option for your Guernsey wedding.

Evergreen dresses and accessories are sustainable.

So what does that mean?

Sustainable doesn’t just mean second hand. The majority of the dresses in the edit are unworn with tags from over-orders, discontinued dresses or ex-bridal studio stock. Anything pre-loved has been dry cleaned and in excellent condition.

A sustainable supply chain

I source from a number of places using my industry contacts and beady eyes. I work with designers, bridal shops with ex-sample stock, and direct with brides. 

I also work with charities such as The Red Cross, Les Bourgs Hospice, The British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research and Oxfam to source dresses whilst supporting the third sector.

I decline invitations to partner with new bridal dress manufacturers and any new supplier undergoes sufficient due diligence to ensure a sustainable and ethical practice. 

Stockists in the studio including accessories and jewellery must meet three pillars of Sustainable, Modern and Affordable.

Evergreen’s impact

  • Evergreen Bridal supports the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

    Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation

    Removing the impact on water supplies in countries of manufacturing where water scarcity and stress is already severe.

    Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production

    Encouraging slower fashion and supporting the circular economy, reducing the demand for resource intensive new dresses.

    Goal 13: Climate action

    Reducing the emissions from the wedding dress market to tackle climate change.

    With every dress purchased from Evergreen Bride, you are saving at least 10 kg carbon emissions and 9,000 litres of water.

  • We surpassed 2023’s target and are now setting sights for bigger and better impacts

    So far we have saved

    • 1.76 Tonnes of carbon

    • 1,760,000 litres of water

    and donated £511 to charitable causes from dress sales