Rooted in Responsibility: How We Help Reduce The Carbon Footprint of Our Weddings
At Legacy Hill Farm, we believe love should leave something beautiful behind - in memories, in hearts, and on this earth. That’s why we’ve built a tree-planting initiative into the very heart of our operations.
Starting in 2024, we’ve partnered with One Tree Planted, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on global reforestation, to plant 10 trees for every wedding hosted at Legacy Hill Farm. These trees are part of our effort to offset the estimated carbon footprint of the venue’s energy usage per event.
Why Trees?
Tree planting is one of the most natural and powerful ways to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. Through photosynthesis, trees absorb CO₂ and store it in their trunk, branches, roots, and leaves - acting as long-term carbon sinks. A mature tree absorbs roughly 48 lbs of CO₂ per year, which adds up to about 1 metric ton of CO₂ over its lifetime (around 40 years).
This means each tree we plant contributes to long-term atmospheric carbon reduction - and planting ten for every wedding helps ensure that the energy use required to host your event is balanced with something that gives back to the planet.
How We Calculate Our Offsets
We estimate that each wedding at Legacy Hill Farm generates approximately 10 metric tons of CO₂ in venue energy use — including lighting, refrigeration, sound systems, and climate control. While this footprint is already lower than many venues due to our open-air spaces and thoughtful energy use, it still matters.
To offset that carbon footprint, we plant 10 trees per wedding — each capable of sequestering 1 ton of CO₂ over its lifetime. This number is based on lifetime sequestration data, which is a long-view, high-integrity approach to offsetting.
A Multi-Layered Approach to Sustainability
Tree planting is just one branch of our larger commitment to care for the land and reduce the environmental impact of our weddings. Some of the ways we design weddings with sustainability in mind include:
Natural Lighting: Many of our spaces are intentionally open-air or filled with natural light, reducing energy needs.
Minimal HVAC Dependence: We leverage the beauty of Minnesota’s seasons and design our spaces to flow with nature, minimizing the need for artificial heating and cooling.
Seasonal Decor & Local Florals: Many couples opt for in-season, locally sourced floral designs, reducing the carbon impact of flower transport.
Waste Reduction Encouragement: We provide couples and vendors with suggestions for composting, reusing decor, and minimizing single-use items.
Our Promise Going Forward
Sustainability is not a box we check - it’s a responsibility we grow into. As more accurate carbon data becomes available, we’ll continue refining our estimates and adjusting our tree-planting efforts accordingly. If new strategies emerge that help us do more, better - we’ll pursue them. Our goal is not just to offset our carbon footprint, but to lead with care.
And we’ll always keep you in the loop. Whether we’re planting trees, piloting new waste-reduction initiatives, or exploring solar, we’ll share what we’re learning, doing, and hoping for.
Because this land doesn’t just host weddings.
It holds stories.
And we intend to steward it with intention.
With You, For You.
Legacy Hill Farm
