Donate to charity for favors???

We're going to donate to our animal shelter instead of doing favors. Why does Auntie Jane need another monogrammed whatever? We got Laci (our Collie) and Griffin (our German Shepherd) on the days they were scheduled to be put to sleep. Technically they were both supposed to be "unavailable", but we arrived before they had even opened and literally begged them to let us save them. Twice. And the shelter has been desperately trying to switch to no kill, but because of a lack of funds, they haven't been able to. We decided that rather than invest in treats that people are just going to toss, we'd rather do what we can to help the facility that gave us our beautiful babies.

I'm not a fan unless you are asking guests to donate to a charity instead of registering for gifts as well. Also, you run the risk of offending some guests since some people are strongly against certain charities.

Oh I love animals! But I think if we did donate it would be to somewhere like the Childrens Cancer ctr down here

Never thought about people being against certain charities....i guess that is something to keep in mind. Thanks

Here's something you could always do if you're worried about offending someone.

Choose three or four charities and list them on your RSVP cards.

"In lue of wedding favors, we will be making a contribution on your behalf to one of the following charities. Please select which charity you would like us to contribute to."

Then get diverse. Pick maybe...I dunno. The Childrens' Cancer Center, ASPCA, and Feed The Hungry. That way they can choose the charity they would like you to donate to.

I also suggest, should you go this route, that you pick a number before you send out your invites. Talk to FH and agree on a price. "Okay we're going to donate $___ for every person who pick ________ charity."

Yeah, it's a small risk and you may know your guests well enough to know that it wouldn't offend. Just something to think about.

I think it's a nice gesture. But I would only do it if there's a charity that really means a lot to you. I also wouldn't donate to charity AND still give the guests favors b/c that really defeats the purpose. One bride for example, her FH's mother died from cancer. They are making a donation to the american cancer society. In place of favors they will have a card explaining that they donated the money they would have spent on favors to the charity b/c of FH's loss and I believe she said they will include some stats/info about cancer among the african american community. If there's not something you're passionate about, I would say don't do it.

I think it's a great idea! Here's an example of a charity favor card I did for a couple:

http://designsbyjacqueline.blogspot.com/2009/10/favor-cards.html

We are donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in lieu of favors. My FMIL was diagnosed with Breast Cancer earlier this year. We plan to have pink bracelets at each table setting with a tag on them that states "In lieu of favors, we have made a donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation" and on the other side of the tag we will have our names, date of wedding and thank you.

My sister did this for her wedding and I happen to work for a non-profit that is on the receiving end of many wedding donations. I think it is a great idea and you are right, most people trash their favors (at least that's my opinion). Try to pick a pretty general charity and one that means a lot to you and your FH. Most guests don't expect favors, after all, you did just invite them to a huge party! I would like to think most people would be happy the money went to a good cause rather then something that won't last (i.e a customized chocolate bar). It's totally up to you and to each her own No matter what you choose it will be great!

We are donating to the Cancer Research Foundation, I agree, people dont need another monogramed something, so we decided to donate to a cause that has hit close to home a few times. I also agree with Lavin most people trash the favors and you are providing food and entertainment for the night so dont worry about it! Pick a charity you care about and go for it!

I definitely agree that it's a nice gesture to donate to a charity and many favors aren't really items that can be kept or used for any period of time (and they cost you a lot of money). I would say that probably 25-30% of the wedding invitation packages I do now have an "In lieu of" card. There are many ways to word them (I'm happy to share ideas if you contact me - N/C). Sometimes they are at each place setting, sometimes 1-3 in a frame on the table... The most common one is for Susan G. Koman but there are many that would be appropriate and non-controversial. Let me know if I can help. Good Luck!

We are donating to the new foundation Stand up to Cancer. FH mom died of lung cancer in 1999. Its going to be a surprise to him, but we are giving out pearl colored ribbons for lung cancer to the guests instead along with a notecard explaining.

I think it is a great thing to do as well. A great site to check out is http://idofoundation.org

This is a great Idea, I think i will do this at my wedding as well. Thanks Ladies.

It's a great idea... I was actually looking at doing this myself, but I realized the scrolls that come from the particular foundation I was looking at were $8 per scroll. Trying to be cost effective I skipped the idea, sent the usual monthly donation that I always do, and then bought keychains for $1 a piece.

If you'd like ideas, visit my website and click on the "Other Services" button. Scroll down and you will see one of the ones I did recently. This wording may give you other ideas for doing your own. (They can be done many different ways and generally ours only run $1-2 each, depending on if you have backers, etc.) If you need frames for setting at each table, one source is "Flower Factory" in Utica, MI. I believe they'll ship any place. Prices are wholesale and they carry lots of favors, etc. too. I buy all my frames and easels for table number cards here. Just be sure to purchase enough because once they're out, they may not come back. Hope this helps someone. Best wishes.

We are doing this..my grandma died of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and we are donating to a foundation for support/research since like so many serious diseases out there...there is no cure..

I have never kept a favor from a single wedding and never missed the lack of favor when the bride/groom didn't have them so at least I know pple will be benefiting from our donation.

One of my recent brides did this as well. We made tent cards that were placed at each seat letting the guest know that a donation was being made in in honor of breast cancer. They also attached a breast cancer braclette to each card for the guest.

FH and I both are huge animal lovers. We are going to donate to the local humane society