Your wedding is a celebration of love—so why not share those good vibes? Using your big day as an opportunity to give back makes the entire event that much more special—and allows you and your partner another chance to express what makes your relationship unique. These days, there are all sorts of creative ways to get charitable with your wedding-planning: From donation wedding favors to eco-friendly invites, we’re outlining how you can say “I do” and do good all at once. So go ahead and spread the love!
Not in need of a new dish set or towels? Online registries often offer ways for you to donate a portion of your gifts to the charity of your choice. Honeyfund allows couples to set a percentage or fixed amount from their gifts as wedding donations, as well as create registry items that are direct donations to the cause. The Good Beginning lets you choose up to 5 charitable causes and streamlines the process of tracking wedding charity donations, generating a list of exactly who gave what and to which organization (for thank-you purposes). On The Knot Gifts Back, couples can choose from over 100 charities who will receive a wedding charity donation (up to 3%) each time a qualifying gift is purchased from the registry.
Dropping big bucks on a wedding location doesn’t feel quite as painful when the money goes to a good cause, so consider hosting your wedding at a nonprofit-owned venue. Historical spots, museums, and nature preserves often rely on fundraising to keep them running, so your site fee will feel less like a bill and more like a generous wedding donation to the organization.
Up the sustainability factor of your wedding by choosing a local florist and requesting flowers that are in season and don’t have to be flown in from another location. You can also opt for eco-friendly invitations: At Paper Culture, you can find stationery made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper (they also plant a tree as a part of every order), and Botanical Paperworks will print your invitations on seed paper that your guests can later plant!
How many favors from past weddings are still in your possession? Not that many, right? Rather than gift your guests a trinket they won’t use–or worse, they’ll leave behind–make a contribution to a cause close to your heart on their behalf (just be sure to let your guests know). Charity donation wedding favors will make your guests truly feel like a part of your special day in a meaningful way.
Everything from votives to garlands to table runners can be found on Amazon, so if you’re doing any DIY wedding decor, you can score your supplies and give back at the same time. Simply choose the charitable organization you want to support, and Amazon automatically donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the cause.
Share the love–and reduce the waste! With a little research, or help from your florist or wedding planner, you may be able to donate your wedding flowers to a nursing home, hospital, or shelter for others to enjoy. Not the sentimental type? Consider donating your wedding gown to an organization that will place it in the hands of a bride in need or sell it at a discount and donate the proceeds to a charitable cause. You can even get your bridesmaids in on the wedding donation action: Once prom season approaches, organizations like Becca’s Closet, Project G.L.A.M., Cinderella’s Closet, Operation Prom, and more start collecting dresses for high-school-age girls who can’t afford the cost of prom.
What’s better than flowers? Dogs, of course. Spread awareness about homeless pet adoption on your big day (and make your bridal party the happiest) by skipping the traditional bouquets and having your bridesmaids carry adoptable pups down the aisle. (Swoon.) Contact a local animal rescue to see if they can facilitate–many are happy to be part of this special occasion and shine a light on shelter pets!
After the party’s over, there’s always extra food–rather than throw it out, see if your caterer will box up leftovers to feed local shelter residents or make a post-wedding donation to a local food bank. (Be sure to check what kind of food is accepted.)
Got a favorite cause for wedding charity donations or a creative way to give back? Tell us in the comments!
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