Is it okay to include donations to charity as a "wedding gift"?

I personally think it's OK if it's an option in addition to other things on the registry. People sometimes get upset when people are "forced" to give cash if they don't want to, but I don't think that's what you're doing here.

Might be an UO, but just my two cents.

I don't think that's appropriate because it's still asking for money. Also, people have charities that are important to them and dislike others, so it's rude to ask them to donate to yours. If you want to make a donation, quietly use cash gifts to do so.

I'm with @ladybug

You are giving people a choice to either buy from your registry or donate for a greater good. I think it s a good idea. If they don't choose to donate to yours they could always just get you something from the registry or just give you cash and you can put it towards the charity yourself. One of my coworkers did this and she was very pleased with the outcome.

@Katherine - if they for whatever reason don't like animals I probably shouldn't be friends with them, and also they still have the entire registry to choose from if they don't like the charity option. and I feel it would only be inappropriate if I was like "oh yeah, give me your money and I will donate it.." where I could definitely see people being like.. "hmm... is it really going where she says it is?" no, please send it straight to the charity.

The not liking animals portion of my statement was a joke, I do understand that some people support certain charities more than others. that's cool. the point of a registry though is to get the couple gifts they like and want.. I don't have a registry for someone to tell me whether or not they support my want for a new blender.

I have seen other postings on here they say asking people to donate to charity is rude, but I think it is very sweet and generous of you!! It's very nice of you to think of this option.

Some people (myself included) will be irritated by this because not everyone agrees with the charity, how it appropriates its funds, or other aspects of the charity itself. I'm not speaking on your specific charities personally...just charities as a whole.

Example: The Wounded Warrior Project. I would be so put off by someone suggesting that I donate to a charity that has a nasty reputation for misappropriating funds.

I know the argument will be "Well if you don't like it then just don't donate" but your (again, the collective your) openly supporting something that someone else may not could be taken as being offensive.

I have been to one wedding where they did this and I felt like it was well done. She picked a charity that meant a lot to to her for very personal reasons, it was very heartfelt and warming. The text was as follows:

"We have been very fortunate in life and have more than all that we need. We ask only for your presence on our wedding day. (Seriously.)

If you feel the need to give a gift, please consider making a donation to ______. Donations would be used to _____You can donate on their website at_____.

Otherwise, please consider a donation to one of the Charity Navigator 4-Star charities listed below or to a charity of your choice: "

I think it is a great idea if that's what you choose but I strongly suggest you make it optional, I would dislike feeling pressured into donating to something I do not believe in or an organization that was not known for using their funds well.

I have a traditional registry. I also have a charity many might be irritated by (Planned Parenthood), however, FH and I both openly support PP and most of our family knows that. I'd eyeroll if someone had a charity I disagreed with but wouldn't be offended.

I will say, if it was a truly heinous charity like donating to the GOP I'd probably donate to something opposite in their name though which may totally defeat the purpose of my above statement...

People might have a quibble about it because in a way, it's tantamount to asking for cash. At the same time though, there's a wide gulf between asking someone to give money to protecting dolphins rather than "swimming with dolphins" on a Honeyfund. Besides, it's the ASPCA and/or the World Wildlife Fund. It's not an animal welfare group that might incur strong opinions, such as PETA.

When asked what we want for our wedding we are responding with "please consider making a donation to a charity of your choosing", we also have a very modest registry in case someone asks.