Planning your big day and feeling bad about the hefty price tag? According to WeddingWire, the average amount spent on a traditional wedding is a considerable $28,000. But luckily there are plenty of ways to give back while planning the wedding of your dreams. Ease your guilt of spending and try any of these six ways to make your wedding charitable.
1. Connect a Charity to Your Registry
As a pioneer in the wedding industry, The Knot is a customized personal wedding planner. Not only does the platform connect couples to wedding vendors and create planning checklists, it also houses patented registry technology. While couples can register for gifts through the website, they also have the ability to connect a charity to their registry items. After couples choose their charity of choice, The Knot Gifts Back program will donate to your cause every time a gift is purchased. It’s that easy!
2. Start a YouCaring Fundraiser
If your home is already full of household items, consider starting a YouCaring fundraiser for a loved one in need, a nonprofit, or a charity. In lieu of a registry, crowdfunding will serve as a way for your guests to give to a greater cause.
3. Choose a Charitable Wedding Favor
Wedding favors can be expensive, overlooked, and often forgotten by your guests at the reception. Instead of splurging on favors, opt for a charitable donation instead. Place a card on each plate setting announcing to your guests that in lieu of favors, you’ve decided to donate money to a charity close to your heart.
4. Donate Your Wedding Flowers
Don’t let your beautiful florals go to waste after the big day! Give back to your local hospice or retirement home where they’ll be cherished. Off Beat Bride offers a list of organizations that will help you with the donation process. They also mention that some organizations provide a tax deductible note to claim the value.
5. Give Your Bridal Shower a Philanthropic Twist
Instead of your guests bringing gifts to the bridal shower, invite them to bring items that will benefit a local nonprofit instead. Items like clothing, nonperishable food, toiletries, or cash would be great alternatives and can help give back to a local organization in need.
6. Donate Your Wedding Gown
It may be hard to part ways with your wedding dress, but realistically, you’ll most likely never wear it again. Why not donate it to a bride who will find joy in wearing your beautiful gown to her own wedding? With Brides Across America, you can donate your gently-used dress to military or first responder brides to repay them for their service to our country.
Celebrate your special day and make someone else’s day by making your wedding charitable. If compassion and goodwill are at the forefront of your wedding decisions, your big day will serve as a win-win for all.
