A Donegal woman and her partner have developed a new way to make weddings a little greener.

Laura Cavanagh and Colin Vaughan are not only a couple, but they are business partners with a passion for the environment.

The latest launch from their software development company Glitterbug is a solution for many wedding couples who want to save paper and save money on wedding stationery.

Be Our Guest is a new app which offers an eco-friendly way to send invitations and receive RSVPs. The beautifully-designed programme goes beyond invites and can be used at every part of a couple’s wedding journey – from the engagement party to the hen/stags and the wedding day itself.

Laura, who is from Buncrana and Colin, who is a Dub, were driven by their ethical passions to design Be Our Guest.

Laura and Colin – Glitterbug Software Developers

Laura told Donegal Woman: “We wanted to make something that gives people the opportunity to reduce paper waste. Not just with invites but all the way through.”

Be Our Guest is a communication bridge between a couple and their guests. It can provide gift lists, song suggestions and virtual photo albums. Couples can also send out updates, accommodation info or arrange hen party and stag party groups through the app in a secure way.

Laura, who paints watercolour and acrylics, provided the beautiful designs in the customisable app.

“It’s a bridge between technology and something as traditional as an invite,” she said.

Laura has seen wedding couples taking the greener route with other unique ideas.

“A lot of brides are moving towards pre-owned dresses. It’s a trend that is nice to see.

“And instead of confetti some people are having lavender, which smells nice and is good for the environment because it is biodegradable,” she said.

The average Irish couple will spend €624 on wedding invitations and ceremony booklets, according to weddingsonline.

On Be Our Guest, the silver package is €250, and the hope is that couples can save both time and money by going digital.

The app is newly launched and extras are still being added, so Laura and Colin have a gift to their new customers:

“Anyone who emails us or messages us on Facebook before the end of August gets a 50% discount,” Laura adds.

Find Be Our Guest on the App Store/ Google Play. Check out the website here: https://beourguest.app

Would you say Yes to going paperless?

Let us know your other eco-wedding ideas in the comments below!