No favors

[Promomx2]

DD just got engaged, I have awhile so we're just throwing ideas out. DDF is a marine and somewhere I heard of not having favors and instead putting a note on each table stating that "in lieu of favors, a donation has been made to . . ." . We're thinking of a organization related to the Marines. Anyone else heard of this and where I can get cards made up?

 

[IndyBride]

A friend of mine did that for the Susan G. Komen foundation. However, she just printed them out on pink paper and put pink ribbons on the papers. You might ask the foundation you donate to if they have a template or something. You could easily print some out on your home computer on business cards or something similiar.

 

[DecemberBride]

I was thinking of doing that for a local charity I'm a supporter of down here... I think it's fabulous and I've been to weddings where they have done this. No one misses the gift... trust me.

Also, if you feel the need to give something "real", not that charity and money is not consider what I'm possibly doing. I might be using ornaments as place cards, and they also act as a favor. Also, I'm doing Welcome Bags in LLbean tote bags, so just a few things to consider....

 

[Ember]

It's a lovely thought. My only concern is that the favor is a small token of "thanks" to your guests. They are attending your wedding and bringing your presents. It somehow seems... Disingenuous to be accepting gifts, but donating the little gift you give your guests to charity.

Perhaps you could request the some of your wedding gifts are also to be donated, or make a matching contribution on your own...

I'm not trying to say it isn't a great idea, because it is. I'm sorry if I come across as raining on your parade.

 

[DecemberBride]

No raining here... I think there is a way to do both if it's important to you... Plus, everyone views gifts differently. A donation is a gift to some and to some not so much. It might be best to do both! Or just a favor... to each his own.

 

[schoen]

I would SO much rather the money go toward something worthwhile. I throw away most wedding favors. I do like it when they have chocolates, but the money is better going toward charity than enlarging my hips!

 

[jen54321]

A friend of mine did this as well. You also had to donate money in order for them to kiss (as opposed to tinkling of glasses, etc). I thought it was a wonderful idea. She did have a small favour too though, a small fan, that came in handy on that hot day....

 

[DecemberBride]

Yeah, I like the donation and the small favor idea... best of both worlds!

 

[poohlover]

I have been a lurker on this board for a while now, but my DD is doing just this next year for her renewal ceremony. She was married to a Marine in an intimate beach ceremony in January. They will do a renewal after he returns from deployment next spring/summer, for all the family to attend. It will be a good reason to have a party!

My DD has been volunteering at the animal shelter on base so they will be making donations there. I think the idea of a donation is wonderful. We have been thinking of putting pet treats in bags for people to take home to their own animals. But other suggestions are very welcome.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/inde...nnel=126a7ff0be118010VgnVCM1000000e2015acRCRD


St. Jude does this. I've been thinking about doing it myself for our home reception.
But if you are worried about guests going home empty handed, what about making a book mark of some kind. Easy and cheap enough to do with a little cardstock, stamps and ribbon.

Just a thought. Hope that helps!

Actually I just looked...for your donation St. Jude gives you either scrolls or bookmarks...so they take care of it all for you...

 

[pink_tink8i8]

I've heard of this before. It's starting to become a popular option. The thing that kinds to my mind the quickest is toys for tots but that is usually around xmas time. But it's obviously marine related. I would make the cards yourself that way you could save some money that could be used somewhere else.

 

[turtle51]

I am getting married in 2010 and I want to do the same thing. I am in the field of special education and I am thinking of either donating to the special olympics or donating to the cancer foundation due to having many family memebrs who have or had cancer.

I think that noadays donating money is in the same theme of those who give will recieve.

 

[Lynn5700]

it's a great idea!!!! you can make your own cards

 

[DigitalLove]

We did this for our 'at home' reception as it would have been pretty pointless doing it in Florida as there were only 7 of us in total there! LOL. We made up gift bags for those in Florida, and for our 'at home' reception we told people we weren't bothered about gifts/vouchers/money, but to donate to a couple of charities we chose, and we donated ourselves and put cards on the tables... along with small chiffon bags with candy in which were cheap and cheerful. Our guests were all really touched by it as it was 2 charities really close to the hearts of both families... and we still ended up with a load of gifts and vouchers! I guess everyone figured they had to both buy us something AND donate which really wasn't our intention....

... but we had fun the last couple of days completely refitting our kitchen out with new accessories!

 

[keenercam]

We are putting together very nice welcome bags that contain some things that might otherwise be given as favors. We are also having a dessert party the night before our VR that will be attended by all of our VR guests PLUS about 20-25 other people and we are giving out small favors there.

For our reception, we are not doing favors. Our VR weekend theme is "All of Our Wishes Have Come True". In lieu of favors we are doing a monetary gift to the Make A WISH Foundation. There will be a star at each place setting that will announce the donation in lieu of gift. Nearly all our guests are adults who will appreciate the idea of the donation in their honor, rather than a favor of some sort. I hope that helps!

Also, to the OP, if you are looking for a Marine-related organization, it might be really fabulous to make a donation to Toys for Tots (that's a Marine sponsored event, right?) I am sure they accept donations all year round. I'd LOVE to run with this idea -- for example, every place card could be in the shape of some kind of a toy -- a picture of a bike or a basketball or a doll with the person's name and table number and a note on the back about a cash donation to Toys for Tots! I'd bet that would be the most memorable "favor" any of your guests would ever receive at any reception, and it's one they'll remember and talk about for years. And I'd bet word would get around about the charity, too! Good luck!

 

[Mumofthebride]

We are doing this too for DD's wedding.

When my Niece got married last year only 3 people out of 66 actually took their favours home with them. So we decided against it and will donate the money to a good cause instead.

Kim

 

[sajilunni]

My BIL did this too. My inlaws like to throw lavish weddings and so every aspect of the wedding was opulent except for the favors. They were chiffon bags with a few candies inside and a card explaining in lieu of favors a donation was being made to a charity that supports work on the illness that my late BIL died of. A representative from the charity was there to recieve the check from the bride and groom. It was a very touching moment because all the guests there knew how rocked the family was by his death over 10 years ago. It was a beautiful way to acknowledge that we haven't forgotten him even as we celebrate another milestone.

 

[pink_tink8i8]

We are putting together very nice welcome bags that contain some things that might otherwise be given as favors. We are also having a dessert party the night before our VR that will be attended by all of our VR guests PLUS about 20-25 other people and we are giving out small favors there.

For our reception, we are not doing favors. Our VR weekend theme is "All of Our Wishes Have Come True". In lieu of favors we are doing a monetary gift to the Make A WISH Foundation. There will be a star at each place setting that will announce the donation in lieu of gift. Nearly all our guests are adults who will appreciate the idea of the donation in their honor, rather than a favor of some sort. I hope that helps!

Also, to the OP, if you are looking for a Marine-related organization, it might be really fabulous to make a donation to Toys for Tots (that's a Marine sponsored event, right?) I am sure they accept donations all year round. I'd LOVE to run with this idea -- for example, every place card could be in the shape of some kind of a toy -- a picture of a bike or a basketball or a doll with the person's name and table number and a note on the back about a cash donation to Toys for Tots! I'd bet that would be the most memorable "favor" any of your guests would ever receive at any reception, and it's one they'll remember and talk about for years. And I'd bet word would get around about the charity, too! Good luck!

Cam, we were thinking along the same lines with toy for tots Great minds think alike

 

[Promomx2]

Thanks for all the response. I'm overwhelmed (in a good way). I'd never thought about the Toys for Tots. DDF mentioned maybe an organization to helpinjured marines after they come back from overseas. Since the wedding isn't until Jan 2010, I have a few days to figure this out.