Image by Mariana Pierce. See more of this real wedding here.
New wedding trend alert: planning with a purpose. And this rings true for every step of the planning process. Your wedding day is all about celebrating love, and there are so many incredible ways to spread that love a little further. From volunteering with your “I do” crew to donating your leftover food and flowers, here are the top ways to give back on–and after–your big day.
Plan A Fully Sustainable Wedding
When planning your big day, it’s easy to get lost in the fun details. Many of us lose sight of the major effects our wedding purchases can have on the environment. Lucky for environmentally-cautious couples, many sustainable wedding brands have made it their goal to help couples plan eco-friendly celebrations. With a team of like-minded vendors and this guide to planning a sustainable wedding, it’s now easier than ever.
Image by Carolina W. Rivera. See more of this eco-friendly wedding inspiration here.
Volunteer With Your “I Do” Crew
While planning your bachelor or bachelorette parties, consider setting a few hours aside to volunteer with your “I do” crew. You don’t need to dedicate your whole trip to volunteering. But, no matter where you are in the world, there are local organizations that could benefit from just an hour or two of help. This is a great bonding experience and an even better way to give back during your engagement season.
Ask Guests To Donate Instead Of Giving Gifts
Instead of having your guests bring physical gifts, ask them ahead of time to donate to the charity of your choice. When building your wedding website, on the ‘registry’ tab, you can add information about the charity and where to donate. This is not only a great way to give back, but it also takes the pressure off your guests—allowing them to donate whatever they’re comfortable with.
Support Loved One’s Small Businesses
When booking your vendors, start with the talented people in your life. Maybe your cousin owns a baking company, or your best friend is a florist. Use this as an opportunity to support small businesses and those close to you—a double win. Then beyond family and friends, you can outsource and build your dream vendor team.
Image by Emma Manning Photography.
Donate Your Wedding Attire
After your big day, consider donating your wedding dress, jumpsuit, or suit. Rather than dedicating a portion of your budget to preserving your wedding gown, donate it to organizations that help create dreamy weddings for those in less fortunate situations. Bonus points if you can get your bridesmaids or groomsmen on board to donate their wedding day attire too.
Donate Leftover Food To Shelters
When the reception comes to a close, odds are there will be loads of extra food. It’s always better to have too much than not enough, right? Well, don’t let it go to waste. This is your chance to help local shelters by donating leftover food and desserts to those in need.
Image by Lara Onac. See more of this wedding inspiration here.
Donate Your Floral Arrangements
You’ve spent months deciding on a color palette and florals that’ll make for a dreamy installation. Instead of tossing your stunning floral arrangements into the bin, give them to local nursing homes. They’ve brought a smile to you and your guests–now it’s time to let them brighten up someone else’s day. There are many local nonprofits that’ll help you with the logistics, but you’re more than welcome to do your own research and contact nursing homes before your big day, too.
Gift Wedding Favors With A Purpose
There are no rules when it comes to wedding favors. You have complete creative freedom over how you thank your guests at the end of the night. And for those wanting to plan a wedding with purpose, there are a variety of wedding favor alternatives your guests will actually enjoy—favors that won’t go to waste.
If you want to plan a wedding that gives back, the first step is to assemble a team of vendors that are fully on board. Lucky for you, you’re just one click away from some of the top vendors around the world. But before reaching out, here’s everything you need to know about hiring your wedding vendors with as little stress as possible.
Image by Boston Mountain Photo. See more of this wedding inspiration here.
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