Make Your Wedding a Charity Fundraiser

Weddings are amazing events. Have you ever watched any of the wedding planning shows on TV? If you do, and you aren't already familiar with the industry- you might be shocked at how much things cost! One of the big problems I had when planning my wedding was coming to terms with the amount of money we would be spending on what was basically, a big party! I tried to incorporate ways of "giving back" in my wedding as well. There are several painless and simple ways to make your wedding a "giving" and charitable one.

First, almost every wedding reception has food leftovers. Can they be given to a homeless shelter? Some reception venues won't allow this, but many will. Most will box up the uneaten food for the group, but you must have someone from the group available that evening that will pick it up.

Almost every wedding also has flower arrangements. What will you do with them after the wedding? Do you have a friend who works at a nursing home who could display them there so the residents can enjoy them? Would the church like to keep them for Sunday Services? Can you have someone take them to a hospital or to elderly friends who might enjoy them?

I am not a big fan of wedding favors. For my wedding, everyone got CD's that were burned with our favorite love songs, and a bag of Hershey kisses and hugs that said "hugs and kisses from the new Mr. and Mrs.". The kids got additional favors of their own, but on the whole, I spent very little on favors. I've gotten some doozies over the years. No offense to the bride and groom intended- but what to they expect me to do with this champagne glass engraved with their names and wedding date? Instead of expensive favors, maybe consider making one large donation to a charity. Put a sign up, saying that in lieu of favors, a donation has been made to a specific charity. You can also meet in the middle- providing an inexpensive favor (candy, etc.) and also making a donation to a charity. You can also give environmentally sound favors, like giving each guest a small tree seedling to plant.

If you are already well established- consider asking that no gifts be given. Many people will still want to get you something, but spread the word among your family and friends that instead of gifts, a donation to your favorite charity would be much appreciated. We got married fairly soon after Hurricane Katrina. I wanted to ask that in lieu of gifts, donations be made to help the survivors. After all, I already had a decent set of pots and pans- yes- the super duper versions I registered for are great, but there were other people that had not only no pots and pans, but no house to cook in. I love all of the great things I got for our wedding, but still feel guilty... There were lots of people who could've used the money spent on our wedding gifts so much more than we could've. I was talked out of the idea, with several people saying that it was tacky. I wish I hadn't listened. If you are an older couple, on your second marriage, or have been living together a long while already, people will be more open to this idea than if you are just starting out.

If you don't want to do this for your wedding itself, you can still use the "no gift" idea at a bridal shower. In lieu of a gift, have everyone bring a favorite recipe, and some canned goods for the food bank. For a Christmas wedding, have everyone bring a wrapped, new toy to give to the Marine's toy drive. If you aren't the type to go out and have a boozy bachelor/batchelorette party (or even if you are, but want to make it a whole weekend event), have your bridal party all go volunteer somewhere together then go out for a nice dinner.

What are you going to do with your wedding dress after the wedding? If you want to keep it, by all means do so. It is a very sentimental item. If you don't feel the urge to keep it, don't feel bad! After all, it's not something that you'll wear again, and if you're thinking of saving it for your daughters, it will likely be dated by then, and they will want their own. Besides, you have to think about getting it cleaned, preserved, stored, etc. Consider donating it to a charity that will sell it to make money, or who will give it to someone who cannot otherwise afford a dress. Bridesmaid dresses (that look more "formal" and less "bridesmaid-y") can be donated to an organization that collects prom dresses for students who can't afford them.

If you get married in a church, and use pew bows, or other decorations, consider donating them to the Church after the wedding. This way other brides will get use out of them as well!

Consider taking a "working" honeymoon. This won't appeal to many people, but there are a lot of ways to both travel and do good at the same time. Go to Mexico and help build homes. Go to the Gulf Coast and help rebuild after Katrina. Go visit an animal sanctuary in the city you will be staying and help them feed and exercise the animals. Teach English in another country. If you aren't the type who is comfortable lounging on a beach for a week, this might be a great idea for you. Not only do you do good for the world- your vacation will probably be much cheaper. Often, you are only responsible for your airfare to get to the volunteer opportunity. Once you are there, housing, food, etc. is often taken care of. Working together can be very romantic. Just realize you'll probably be sleeping on a cot in the basement of a church somewhere, or in a tent, not in a honeymoon suite! You can also combine both a luxurious and a charitable trip together. Going to Cancun? Take a few days to enjoy the pampering and the beach, but also spend a day working with children in a local orphanage, or at the very least, drop a little bit of your wedding cash into the charity's donation box.

Another charitable idea is to try to buy locally for your wedding as much as you can. Support local businesses, support craftsmen and artists in your area by using their services and talents in your wedding. Try the local bridal shop instead of the big national wear house chain (I can almost guarantee you'll get a better level of service anyway!), and use a local baker, photographer, etc. It can also be nice (and frugal) to hire students when possible.

I realize that the idea of being charitable at your wedding is a foreign one to many people. Only do what you feel comfortable with. This is your wedding after all, and it should make you happy!