Your wedding day is a celebration of love and your journey together as a couple, so why not include a cause that’s close to your heart? Knowing that your big day will have a positive impact on not only yourselves, but also the world around you, can make it feel all the more special.
In this article, we explore three of the ways you can give back to the planet or your favourite charitable cause on your wedding day.
Ask for charity donations
The typical wedding tradition is for the happy couple to set up a wedding registry list, inviting their loved ones to contribute gifts of their choosing to celebrate their big day. While it can be nice to receive gifts, couples could also look to swap out the traditional registry and ask for charitable donations instead. This simple act can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need, likely more than receiving your favourite new crock pot would on yours.
Plus, asking for charity donations is perfect for couples planning a small and intimate elopement wedding, as opposed to a large celebration. After all, while your closest friends and family are likely to want to give you a gift to commemorate your special day, it can feel awkward to accept it if they won’t be attending your ceremony as guests.
Alternatively, you could opt to use the money that you’ve saved by forgoing a large wedding to donate to your chosen charity instead. This is a wonderful way to make your lowkey celebration feel just that much more special and meaningful.
Keep it eco-friendly
Even an intimate wedding will typically still demand a certain amount of decoration. This can come at a cost to the environment, as many of the decorations will not be reused after the big day has passed.
Luckily, by opting to use a small venue when eloping, you’ll already be making a much more sustainable choice. Not only do they use a lot less energy, they need much less in the way of decorations, too. Venues that are set in the great outdoors can help to take advantage of the area’s natural beauty, reducing the need to purchase excessive decorations even further.
Donate what you can
While it’s important to dedicate a lot of time to planning and preparing in the lead up to your wedding day, it’s also crucial to consider the impact of your celebration once the day has passed. If you’ve chosen to elope, you shouldn’t have much to worry about in the way of waste, although there will always be small items that you can still give to charity, such as your wedding dress if you choose to wear one. You could even opt to give your bouquet away to a shelter or hospital – this would make for a wonderful post-wedding excursion in place of a wedding reception.
A little goes a long way
By including small charitable donations in your wedding, you can rest assured that you’re doing all you can to give back to the world around you. Whether it’s a specific cause that’s close to your heart or a local shelter of your choosing, every small donation can truly make a difference in people’s lives.
