Anyone donating $$$ to Charity instead of favors?

Wow, I can't imagine anyone sounding so bitter and cynical about charity favors. I know that as a guest at several weddings with charity favors, I totally appreciated that the couple prepared some type of note or card to let me know what charity they had chosen. That is something personal and important to them and it makes guests feel special and close to the couple that they are being allowed to share that. I feel this way especially in cases when money is donated to a charity in honor of a sick or deceased loved one, the favor not only honors the person's memory but also can provide recognition and advertising for the charity, which may lead to future donations by others. Basically I think if you are a kind and giving person, you are going to really appreciate going to a wedding with a charity favor. and if some of your guests don't like it, they are probably selfish and kind of mean and therefore who really cares about their opinions? =)

I had to respond after reading these messages. I think making a donation to a worthy cause is a great favor to give at a wedding. Most favors people throw out, or store away anyway. At least by doing a favor like this something good is coming out of it. We are thinking of doing donations to saving the animals, whether it is the one's in shelters or the wild life foundation. I do not think it is right to say that giving a donation is not a favor, have you ever heard the saying it is a "gift that keeps on giving"? Well this is better than a dust collector, it can be a life saver. I think it is commendable as long as you do it for a cause, and not just for a tax write off. Best of luck on your weddings ladies!

It would make me happy to know that instead of receiving a favor that either gets left behind or eaten or thrown away in a couple of months, the money went towards a good cause. I can see some people's point if you are donating to a controversial charity, but who could possibly be against the American Cancer Society or any other charity who gives support to those facing terrible illnesses? My fiance and I will be donating to the ACS for many personal reasons, but at the end of the day it's a much better way to spend a few hundred dollars.

We are planning of choosing three or four charities and putting a glass container for each one with a card explaining it below it. The guest will get two chips and they can choose to cut the chips or put all of them in one container ect. Two will be charities that are close to home. The rest will be more general charities like animal abuse ect.

I agree with Deborah L. as well....it is important to say "in lieu of" and also nice to use an "in memory of" or some explanation about why the charity is important to you. I made cards on Vistaprint that specifically explained this (see below). We then attached little pink ribbon pins to the corner of each card for the guest to keep and are going to put them on the table at each place setting. I do not see it as "showboating" nor do I think any discussion of a donation to charity is showboating - spreading the word about charities is how they make money! As has been discussed, favors are not necessary, but if you choose to do something instead of them, it is nice to explain to your guests where the money is going. I have shown the cards we made to some of my friends and family and so far everyone loves the idea! I think it would be very odd and sorry, cold, if guests found it "rude" for you to announce your donation - and if they do, that's their problem!

I'm late to this discussion, but this is something we have in mind for favors. Specifically, we're considering either a charity involved in ocean protection because our wedding is a beach theme, OR having a tree planted for each guest via a group like the Arbor Day Foundation. Then we plan to print bookmarks to give as "favors" stating the donation and including a relevant literary verse. I can't tell you how many favors I've received at weddings that just ended up in a box somewhere or got thrown out, unless of course it was chocolate candy or something. LOL. However, I do really like one commenter's suggestion about noting that the donation is "in lieu of" some more typical trinket. We're having a small wedding and know most, if not all, of our friends would appreciate a charity favor, and we'll pick a relatively benign, non-ideological charity that no one should have a problem with.

Patricia. congratulations on your wedding. Mine is coming up soon and I am definitly donating "in lieu" of favors. we all know either people get the same crap or they throw it out...and I dont like throwing money away! all my guests are close family and friends, so they will be happy to see we gave something in memory of my mother. we did add a little something guests can take home, we are having a photo booth. They can take fun pics, (as many as they want) and bring it home. I may even get a basket, fill it with frames, so they can frame their shots. good luck!

I am looking into donating to two different charities as my fiancée and I are both into animal rights and making sure animals find a furever home. I also had a friend who lost her 3 year old way too early to brain cancer. We are still going to do favors. I think that announcing that you donated money towards a certain charity brings awareness to that charity so I think it's a great idea that you are doing that!! I do not agree with people who think you are just asking for attention or showing off that you did a good deed. I think when people do a good deed, share it because it will hopefully impact them that they will in return donate to either of the charities or even charities that they are passionate about. Good luck!!

My future husband and I are trying to stick to a very low wedding budget and still have a large wedding. Every favor that seems like it's not completely useless is over $2 per person, and our budget is $1. I've been toying with the idea of a charitable donation. My fiancé has a myelofibrosis which is a form of bone marrow cancer and I would donate to Canadian Blood services but I don't know if this is a "selfish" donation. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

View Quoted Comment I don’t think it’s an attention grabber I think it’s a great idea to donate to the cause or many causes in Lou of cheap stupid favors that no one cares for