Donating to charity in lieu of giving favors

Your wedding day is all about you, right? Of course! But it's important to remember that it's about MORE than you, too! Your wedding is a celebration of love and joy and the incredible good fortune to have met someone you want to spend the rest of your life with.

That's why so many couples today are sharing their joy and good fortune with others at their weddings by donating to charities in lieu of or in addition to giving favors.

When this is your choice, let guests know in a beautiful way how you have honored them. Consider your décor and your wedding colors, and get creative!

If you're donating to a charity in lieu of favors, the simplest and most elegant way to let guests know is by printing a pretty enclosure card with wording like:

In lieu of a favor,

a donation has been made

in your name to...

(charity name)

You can also print a line explaining who the donation is being made in honor of (In honor of Grandma June, a survivor) or (In memory of Peter Williams and Anna Barker).

 

Arrange the cards at each place setting or next to their escort cards at the entrance to your reception. Accent the cards with embellishments that coordinate with your wedding colors and theme, or that speak to the significance of the charity you've donated to (pink ribbon) for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research, a seal printed with a heart design or a heart-shaped charm for the American Heart Association, yellow ribbons for the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, etc.).

If you still want to give your guests a little favor treat, wrap up your cookies, candies or other items in pretty favor bags or boxes, add a ribbon and include a printed favor tag or seal with wording telling you have donated in their honor.

 

Some couples are even asking that in lieu of gifts, guests donate to a charity of the couple's or the guest's choice. How do you let guests know this is your preference?

While I usually don't recommend including wedding registry or gift information with the wedding invitations, I consider this an exception. Print an enclosure card with wording like:

In lieu of gifts,

please make a donation

to the charity of your choice

(or to the American Heart Association, etc.)

Print the enclosure on the same paper color as the rest of your ensemble, or on a different, coordinating paper color to make it stand out.

 

Guests will appreciate your generous invitation to celebrate with them, and they'll love your generosity toward others on your special day!

Enjoy!