August 24, 2021 03:00 pm ETEstimated Read Time: 6 Minutes
Need more evidence to suggest that the stigma attached to cannabis is changing? Well, look no further than the fact that cannabis weddings are trending. People are no longer sneaking off to dark corners for a quick toke at weddings, but are rather attending weddings that consciously planned to incorporate cannabis into the celebration, according to Aspen Times. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to attend my first cannabis-friendly wedding.
The term ‘cannabis wedding’ gained traction after legalization and with the launch of the Cannabis Wedding Expo (CWE) in 2015. Philip Wolf co-founder of CWE, began showcasing in Denver but has since expanded to include several annual events in locations such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boston, Toronto, and San Francisco.
The CWE is the first of its kind to showcase cannabis products dedicated to weddings as well as offering cannabis lovers the chance to meet wedding industry professionals who can advise them on elegant weddings that include cannabis.
Canna-Weddings Are Becoming More Popular
CWE made headlines in commercial and popular platforms including the likes of Brides, The Guardian, Fortune, The New York Times, and even Vogue. If this does not show you that the negative stigma of cannabis has been significantly withdrawn, then I don’t know what will. Vogue explains that the fact that cannabis is making an appearance at even the “most traditionally conservative events” proves that “the stigma around its use continues to diminish.”
A Bloomberg Report on the cannabis-wedding industry explained that cannabis has become the new moneymaker in the wedding industry and that couples are increasingly incorporating cannabis into their nuptials, especially in places such as Colorado and California. Bloomberg goes on to explain that the legalization of cannabis led to the opening of “the doors to all sorts of cannabis-laden commerce, from dinner service to vacation packages.”
Bec Koop, from Irie Wedding & Events and co-founder of CWE, explained to Bloomberg that she had booked nearly two dozen canna-weddings by the end of 2017 for that year alone. Koop went on to explain that the early days of cannabis legalization were challenging as only 10% of venues would accommodate for cannabis, but now she is regularly contacted by venues to be placed on her preferred vendor’s list.
Serving Cannabis in Lieu of Alcohol
Adrian Sedlin, chief executive officer at Canndescent, explained that serving cannabis at a wedding reception is not much different than offering alcohol. Except for the fact that “it’s actually cheaper than liquor” and that “there’s a lot more buzz for the buck in cannabis than in alcohol.” However, Bloomberg explains that when serving cannabis at weddings as though you would alcohol, there are a few legal twists. This includes the fact that the state will most likely forbid you from tipping the budtenders and that the host of the wedding should technically supply the weed to the server by means of “donation.”
Apply For Your Medical Marijuana Card Today
Veriheal has satisfied hundreds of thousands of patients nationwide
Get approved or your money back
Appointments available on-demand
Customer support available 24/7
Wolf went on to state that “a lot of people feel like alcohol can take away from events because people can overconsume, it might not be as enjoyable or someone might cause an issue, or god forbid something worse” and that “with cannabis, you really don’t have that threat.”
How Cannabis Can be Incorporated in Weddings
From invitations to decor and wedding favors…attendees of cannabis weddings can expect to see cannabis incorporated in more elegant ways than one might expect as a result of the stoner stereotypes. Guests shouldn’t be surprised if they see the bride and groom celebrating the day they commit themselves to each other with a bong or even a blunt. These bongs are typically beautiful glass bongs with elegant designs and make for epic photos. There is also likely to be a separate table or bar with various pre-rolls and flowers on display and in glass jars. Some even provide the pre-rolls as wedding favors to their guests.
Guests may also see the infamous cannabis leaf in bouquets, on walls, or even in the water of a glass jar with a floating candle. Beautiful glass bongs of varying heights have even been used as flower vases for centerpieces. Other wedding favors include potted baby cannabis plants, edibles, and D-I-Y cannabis growing kits. Honestly, the possibilities of incorporating cannabis are endless and are quite easy to do while maintaining elegance.
Things to Consider:
The Location
Be honest with the venue on your plans and be specific.
Consider offering vape instead of joints as venues may be more open to this less-conspicuous consumption method.
Get your agreement with the venue in writing once both parties have agreed to terms.
The Consumption
Consider whether the location and proximity of your location would be better suited to different methods of consumption. For example, a wedding on a large outdoor plane would be well-suited for all kinds of smoking and consumption, but one in a barn may not be ventilated enough to avoid hot-boxing or affecting others who may not want to be inundated with second-hand smoke.
Offer varying portions and low potency products to ensure that there are products available for those who do not usually consume or who do not wish to risk consuming too much.
Perhaps placing the cannabis bar away from other festivities in order to ensure any underaged guests don’t consume anything by accident as well as to ensure that uninterested guests are less affected.
Consider clear and simple packing so avoid any confusion or misconceptions.
Aspen Times concluded with a quote from Wolf, which was well-said. The quote stated that “one of the biggest evolutions I’ve seen over the past six years is the beautification of the plant and consumption methods” and that “the rise of beverages and devices have given people more options that are approachable for new consumers.” When Wolf said “the beautification of the plant,” I felt that this was an excellent way to describe what’s happening with cannabis at weddings and I can’t wait to see more beautification of my favorite plant.
Chane Leigh, aka The Bud Fairy, is a South African cannabis advocate and enthusiast with a firey personality and a thirst for travel. She loves to educate people and to question the norms.
LOVE THIS! But listen to this story….I am a bride to be and my wedding date is 4/20 and let me tell you it is still so hard to have a cannabis wedding. I’m located in VA and even though the laws have changed it is taking places a minute to catch up. I have had vendors refuse to work with me and am still looking for a cannabis friendly venue! But I will have a cannabis friendly wedding no matter who tells me NO!
Oh yes, Virginia is newly legal and it is going to be a good while before the culture catches up. I doubt that the state has even come to terms with medical legalization and that was several years ago. Wishing you the best of luck!
Suddenly, the world of magic mushrooms is almost as complicated as that of learning about cannabis. Shrooms or “magic” mushrooms have gained traction as a hallucinogenic therapeutic application for several different mental health circumstances such as depression and migraines—particularly when microdosing. It’s not just liberty caps anymore, folks. There are many different varieties and types…
Edibles are arguably one of the best means of recreational cannabis consumption—you get to eat a treat AND experience a long-lasting high. But it’s easy to end up dealing with some unwanted side effects due to the variability in the onset of these THC-packed goodies, which come in the form of brownies, cookies, gummies, chocolate,…
If you’re reading this, you are either a recreational cannabis veteran who has seen a handful of cannabis smokers passing out from puffing a joint and can’t seem to figure out why. Or, you are a newbie who wants to give recreational or medical cannabis a shot, and the burning question on your mind is,…
So you love smoking cannabis, but you’re tired of the same ole rolling papers. Perhaps you feel like you’ve graduated from dumping out the tobacco and shoving weed into an empty cigarette. Maybe you’ve recently learned about the potential dangers and risks associated with tobacco blunt wraps and want a healthier option. Let’s explore some…
When you decide that you are going to dabble in cannabis cultivation, you have many different decisions to make. You’ll have to decide whether you’re growing indoors or outdoors, as well as in soil, or the route of hydroponics. You’ll also have to pick what type of planters to use, what grow medium to use,…
We use our own as well as third party cookies to improve your site experience and the services we make available. You can learn more about our use of cookies in our Privacy Policy.
Content Disclamer
The statements made regarding cannabis products on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cannabis is not an FDA-approved substance and is still illegal under federal law. The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. We strongly recommend that you consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before using any cannabis products. The use of any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.