Celebrating love and marriage 5 ways to support non-profits

A wedding is one of the most special occasions in the world, as it’s meant to celebrate the union between two people who decide to spend their lives together. It’s definitely an event worth celebrating with your family and friends, and couples always look for unique and creative ways to make their big day as memorable as possible. To some, a wedding is the perfect opportunity to make a positive difference in the world by raising money to support a cause and spreading love and joy further in the world.

Supporting charities as part of the wedding is a new concept, and it’s worth noting that it’s all about including charitable elements that will add to the joy without sacrificing anything that you may have been dreaming of for years. If the idea of creating a fundraiser for your wedding resonates with you, read on as we explore below some of the best ways you can implement this idea.

Ask for donations rather than wedding presents

These days, couples tend to move in together sooner than before, which means they often don’t need gifts normally given at a wedding, such as homewares. However, guests will probably want to get you something as a way to celebrate your wedding, so you can take advantage of this opportunity and ask them to give you charitable donations instead.

There are several ways to approach this, such as creating an online donation page that you can share with the guests ahead of the wedding and on the big day. Another idea is to create a charity gift registry with different options so that everyone who participates in the wedding can decide which cause is most meaningful to them. However, remember to clarify that the donations are optional to avoid adding too much pressure on the guests.

Place donation boxes around the wedding venue

Placing donation boxes is another good idea, as it offers guests a simple way to make a difference in other people’s lives. The physical presence reminds guests that even during happy times like this, there are people in the world who are having a hard time and need kindness and support. Consider adding some money in the box beforehand to build momentum, and include information on the charity, as this will encourage further donations and give people a better understanding of the cause they will support.

The only downside to a donation box is that you will have to ask people to bring cash with them to the wedding. An alternative would be to go cashless (if that’s possible for you) and take card donations instead with a simple tap or creating a custom QR code for them to scan and transfer.

Consider donating your wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses

If you want to do something unique and make a positive impact on your big day, why not consider donating your wedding dress? After all, you will wear you just once and donating it will help create joy in other people’s lives. You can donate it to an organization that helps crisis brides or those with low income, helping them to feel beautiful on their special day, brightening up their most important moments and providing them with long-lasting memories. The average cost of a wedding dress tends to be very expensive (in fact, it’s one of the biggest amounts for the wedding day, apart from the venue and the food), so it will definitely make a difference if you donate it!

Also, you can involve the bridesmaid as well in this process.  If you’re the one to explore stunning bridesmaid dresses and pay for one that you’d like the bridesmaid to wear, you may decide to donate it once the wedding is over (unless the bridesmaid wants to keep it, of course!) However, if they think the dress will just sit in the wardrobe as they won’t really have many occasions to wear it again, donating it is an excellent way to give back. Local organizations collect dresses for women who cannot afford Prom gowns, and it’d definitely make them happy to receive one!

Run games for guests to participate in

Never underestimate the power of wedding entertainment, as this is an area where you and your better half can get really creative. You can come up with game ideas and ask for a small donation in return. For instance, carnivals, funfairs, and garden games are some popular ideas that you can consider. Coconut Shy is an exciting game to play at the wedding, and it requires participants to knock coconuts off their stands by “shying” beanbags and balls with precision and accuracy.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can try Giant Jenga instead, which involves dismantling and rebuilding the tumble tower while ensuring it won’t end up toppling over in the process. There are other ideas you can set up, such as Bouncy castle, Bean bag toss, or Hook a duck – it’s all up to you! Whatever game you choose, consider having some small prizes or give an award to a single winner, as this will boost engagement – after all, who doesn’t love a competition?

Donate bubbly drinks and food that hasn’t been opened

An excellent way to give back is to donate bubbly drinks and leftover food; however, it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Once food is opened and cooked, it needs to be eaten, otherwise, it will turn into waste. However, the food and beverages that haven’t been used can be donated. In fact, on average, a catered event wastes around 15% - 20% of the produced food, so it’s a good idea to discuss with the venue and open and use as they go, which will help prevent waste that won’t be reused.

This will allow you to put the resources to better use. Instead of simply throwing them in the bin, you share them with people in need. It’s a win-win, as it also protects the environment by avoiding food waste while making a difference in people’s lives.

The bottom line

Supporting a charity on your wedding day can have a meaningful impact, and as you can see, there are many ways to do so. As you and your partner embark on a journey as newlyweds, let this special day be an opportunity to commemorate the importance of kindness and generosity. A little act of kindness can go a long way. Cheers to happily ever after!