A SUSTAINABLE FAIRYTALE

It's hard to believe that characters from Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland would come to life in a traditional Indian wedding—especially a sustainable one. JUVECA PANDA, founder and CEO of a vegan accessories brand, shares her magical, mindful three-day celebrations at Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire, setting an example for conscious couples the world over.

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I was glued to my phone, finding references on Pinterest and going through old photos. With only two-and-a-half months to plan my wedding, I was overwhelmed but also filled with excitement. It was finally my time—to marry the man of my dreams and have that fairytale wedding. I always loved watching all things Disney and reading fantasy and fiction novels. From Aladdin to Sophie Kinsella’s works to the Harry Potter series, I’d get so deeply immersed in those stories and worlds that I’d want to find ways to share those experiences with everyone. My wedding seemed like the perfect way to do it!

METICULOUS PLANNING

My imagination was running wild while putting together the moodboards for each event. But while scrolling through all my shortlisted references, I realised that a lot of the décor elements used plastic props specially made for one-time use. Even the floral arrangements would generate a lot of waste. This didn't sit well with me because over the years, I had become someone who wouldn’t drink out of a PET bottle, unless out of desperation for water. I always keep a cotton bag handy to avoid taking bags at stores, and even my footwear and accessories brand, Misfit Panda, uses materials such as plant-based leather and recycled PET fabrics.

“Reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle” is my daily mantra, which is why I had my heart set on celebrating responsibly and making sure my wedding was as ecofriendly as possible. When I told MEW (Motwane Entertainment & Weddings) about my desire for a sustainable wedding, they were completely aligned and helped bring my vision to life.