Sustainable Weddings & Elopements — Los Angeles

About

 
 
 

/ˈō-pəs/
noun: work of art

You’re not traditional. Neither are we.

We’re here to help couples celebrate weddings their way. Be as bold, as d i f f e r e n t, as adventurous, as QUEER, as YOU as you want to be. Our small business focuses on sustainable gatherings so that we can craft a special day that is unique and really tells your story. We believe in contributing positively to our community by being as environmentally conscious as possible and giving back to organizations that align with our progressive values. Let’s take the stress of wedding planning off your plate and break some rules along the way.

 
 
 
 

OUR SUSTAINABILITY MISSION

 

We advocate that sustainability is not an all-or-nothing commitment.

Every little bit helps. Our carefully curated list of vendors are vetted for their eco-conscious practices. Here are some ways that we’ve thought of the nitty-gritty details and where your event can be greener:

 

VENUES - Whether it’s outdoors, a space specifically built for events, or a destination wedding, your venue sets the tone for your guests and the rest of your vendor selection. We advocate for Green Seal + LEED certified buildings when possible (that means they’ve met green requirements based on their energy conservation, waste management, pollution prevention, responsible purchasing, and support of human health). We also work to minimize our disruptive impact on fragile ecosystems should you choose to be out in nature. And even if you’re dead set on a specific location that might not seem inherently green to begin with, we work with your venue to negotiate eco-friendly alternatives such as substituting single-use dinnerware with non-disposable china or biodegradable alternatives.

CATERERS - We are what we eat, which is why we support caterers that feature organic, seasonal menus and source from local farms. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, we’ve definitely got you covered.

FLORISTS & DECOR - Floral foam, which is compacted micro-plastics, is a big no-no for us because not only does it not degrade, but it’s also toxic and prolonged exposure may cause cancer. Reusable and rentable vessels and decor is always preferred over single-use versions. And depending on your vision, your flowers & greenery can also be sourced from local, organic, and sustainable farms.

PAPER DETAILS - There are lots of alternatives to traditional paper invitations, programs, and menus nowadays. You can opt out of physical stationery in favor of digital ones, or choose to go with 100% post-consumer recycled paper or fun alternatives like seed paper.

ATTIRE - Our favorite recommendation for a suit or gown is to get it custom-made if your budget allows. Custom attires usually come from businesses that don’t buy in bulk and you’ll get the opportunity to handpick your fabric, style, and design. Many designers also now carry “eco-couture” made from organic, responsibly-sourced, or recycled materials. And there’s always the option of renting, purchasing vintage, or supporting businesses that donate proceeds directly to charities.

GIFTS - Whether it’s favors, thank yous to your wedding party, listings on your registry, or charitable donations, gifts are a great way to share the products and causes that you really care about. As a general rule, we strongly discourage “useless knickknacks” that guests just end up leaving on the table or throwing away. Consider gifting an opportunity to promote quality sustainable items that you yourself use, and we have plenty of recommendations to make as well.

POST-EVENT - We require that our events compost, recycle, reuse, and donate where possible!

 
 
 

These are just a few ways we’ve committed to making our events greener. Let us know if you have any specific requests or suggestions that aren’t listed here as we’re always looking for more ways to be more sustainable!

 
 
 

 
 

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

 
 
non-traditional unique intimate wedding elopement los angeles california LGBTQ+

S+Y

“Belinda is truly a magical person. Me and my partner are SUPER not "wedding people" and wanted to put something together that felt like an authentic reflection of us and values: welcoming, fun, unexpected. Belinda was super non-judgemental, helped us bring to life what was actually a somewhat complex event to execute (backyard events actually require a lot of vendors!), and was really sensitive and responsive to what we wanted to do (not what was expected of us). Also SUPER on the same page about being environmentally conscious, which was really important to us. Working with Belinda felt like a fun collaboration! While we had planned a lot of our event ourselves before partnering up with Belinda, I really would have entrusted her with the whole thing!!!! Can't recommend Opus enough!!!”

 
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F+C

“Belinda is incredible. My husband and I planned an elopement on short notice and she was quick to jump to the challenge. She was so helpful in making sure our vision came to light for the day of our elopement and exceeded anything we imagined. Belinda is super responsive and has a great eye. She truly elevates any idea you might have. On the day of the elopement, she put together the timeline of the day, picked up my flowers and the cake, set up the decor, and was there to help me with anything I needed including placing the veil in my hair. Additionally, we were pleasantly delighted to come back to the home where we got dressed and did our ceremony only to find that Belinda packed up all the decorations, put away the cake, and cleaned up the cake cutting set. It was truly a beautiful day greatly due to Belinda’s planning. I’d recommend her to anyone planning an event. I was so glad I was able to relax and trust her with my big day!”

 
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K+J

“I am so happy to have worked with Belinda for our elopement! I reached out to her like 2.5 months before the wedding, and she was able to make our vision come to life! She's extremely easy to work with, and meetings with her are super fun. Planning the wedding with her never felt like hard work, and she was extremely attentive to the details that we cared about, like honoring our passed loved ones, ensuring that our flowers worked with our attire, and finding THE PERFECT SPOT for our wedding. We live out of state, and finding a location would be super hard for us to do, but our first meeting she was ready! She also recommended our photographer, who we absolutely love, and ensure that we have a clear schedule for the day. She also managed all the setup and teardown herself so that we did not need to worry about any of these details. Also I love her care for sustainability and super happy that our flowers will be enjoyed by others in our community. Belinda is a BOSS and we are so thankful for her for making our special day truly flawless.”

 
 
 

 
 

INSTAGRAM

@opuseventsco

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
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