5 Ways to Give Back at Your Wedding

Photographer: @terrie.images

The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is known as “Giving Tuesday”, where consumers are asked to donate to charities - local, national, or international. And, many charities offer donation matching or other incentives on this day to entice donors to donate more. 

Now, you don’t have to wait until Giving Tuesday to make a donation - many couples are opting for little or no wedding gifts in lieu of donations or another charitable action. Today, we’re sharing five ways you can give back at your wedding. 

Monetary Donation in Lieu of Gifts 

One of more popular ways to give back at your wedding is to encourage guests to donate to your favorite charity rather than give wedding gifts. You can include a QR code on your wedding invite or itinerary, a link on your wedding website, or send guests home with card letting them know where to donate. 

A Donation Drop Box 

Similar to how businesses have donation boxes in their store or restaurant to donate items, a great way to encourage guests to donate is to set up a donation box at your reception. Place it near your seating chart so guests can drop off items prior to sitting down. Alternatively, you can instruct your guests to send gifts directly to the organization if you don’t want to encourage physical gifts at your wedding. 

Incorporate Volunteering 

Instead of a traditional bridal shower or bachelorette party, consider volunteering at a local organization! Not only is it a way to give back to your community, it’s a great way to have fun and bond with your friends and family. Whether that’s volunteering at your local animal shelter, food bank, or other charity, you’ll be helping your community while bonding with your guests. 

Have a Setup at Your Wedding 

Another fantastic - and fun - way to incorporate giving back at your wedding is to have a local charity set up an event at your wedding venue (if allowed, of course). Talk to your local animal shelter to see if they could bring some adoptable animals or consider working with a vendor that works with nonprofits or charitable organizations. 

Make Giving Back Interactive 

If you’re planning on incorporating activities into your wedding, why not incorporate giving back? Set up a card making station, for example, to send soldiers overseas or have guests create treats and toy bags for shelter animals. It’s a great way to include guests in the festivities while giving back to the community!

There are numerous ways to give back at your wedding - whether that’s one of these five examples or something else. Either way, it’s a great way to give back to your community!