Charity Contributions vs. Favors

My FI and I have decided to donate to a charity as well. I will either have it stated in the program if I decide to go that route, or else have it stated on the table.

p.s. I think it it a great way to go instead of spending all that money on little things that people will have to dust or never use.

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Posted by BelMal

My FI and I have decided to donate to a charity as well. I will either have it stated in the program if I decide to go that route, or else have it stated on the table.

p.s. I think it it a great way to go instead of spending all that money on little things that people will have to dust or never use.

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Thanks!! Having it stated on the table is a great idea!

American Cancer Society sends you beautiful personalized scrolls with your donation and I really think its a WONDERFUL idea!! Check out their website.

We are donating to the Autism Society (I am an autism teacher) . I am going to print out an explanation of the autism ribbon with a statement about the contribution and then make little autism ribbons to either glue or pin onto the card.
I just think it is a nice idea and I could never think of anything to give people that they would really want or need!

I def like the idea, but didnt do it at my wedding. b/c my stepbrother did it at his and I heard comments from people saying this is the favor????? I think most people expect a favor, look forward to getting them- usually the older guests ( women) so if you def do it, make something small to also give as a favor, something edible, something for them to take home other than a scroll.

Favors are like a token , a gift thanking the guest for coming and essentially for the gift they are giving you in return.

We donated to St. Jude's Children's hospital in lieu of favors. I had the opposite reaction. A lot of people came up to me saying how great an idea it was and how they never saw that before.

Honestly, how many favors do you get at weddings that you actually keep? I can't think of 1 favor I received at a wedding that I actually kept. Most times it goes in the garbage.

The last couple of weddings I attended the favor was a donation, I think it's catching on.
My friend donated to American Cancer Society, and another friend donated to the NYPD widows and children's fund.

Usually the charity will send you something that says 'In lieu of favors, Mr. and Mrs. X have made a donation to X charity in the name of their guests. St. Jude's came in a nice scroll.. and also described the charity It was really touching.

I think donating to a charity will make you and your guests feel good inside! I know it did for us. and most of our guests At a time when we were concerned about everything going perfect on our 'special day', it's nice to give back and think of others less fortunate.

You can also do a donation and something small for your guests. We had 3 Jordan almonds at everyones plate. Just a little something traditional.

We are doing a donation but will add a small edible favor of some sort.

Personally, I think people prefer to donate on their own. It really depends on how well you know your family and friends. Some might find it pushy that you're doing that for them, that they didn't have a choice in it. Especially if they want to come away remembering your wedding day and didn't get anything .

That's just my opinion. As for party favors, I can think of tons of practical things to give your guests that they will use, ie, coasters, jewelry boxes, letter openers, etc. And yes, I have received things that are collecting dusts as well... :)

i've thrown out every favor that wasn't edible or just left it at the hall.

i think contributions are the best favor you can ever give.

a 'cute' favor that you spend a lot of money for often gets left at the hall or thrown out at home. if i need an icecream scoop, i'll go buy one myself. that's my honest opinion.

i'm doing a donation. a donation favor isnt forced on anyone since you are not asking them to pay for it.

if you have enough $$ you can do a donation and a small favor. or incorporate a favor into the seating cards.

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Posted by debbiedee77

We donated to St. Jude's Children's hospital in lieu of favors. I had the opposite reaction. A lot of people came up to me saying how great an idea it was and how they never saw that before.

Honestly, how many favors do you get at weddings that you actually keep? I can't think of 1 favor I received at a wedding that I actually kept. Most times it goes in the garbage.

The last couple of weddings I attended the favor was a donation, I think it's catching on.
My friend donated to American Cancer Society, and another friend donated to the NYPD widows and children's fund.

Usually the charity will send you something that says 'In lieu of favors, Mr. and Mrs. X have made a donation to X charity in the name of their guests. St. Jude's came in a nice scroll.. and also described the charity It was really touching.

I think donating to a charity will make you and your guests feel good inside! I know it did for us. and most of our guests At a time when we were concerned about everything going perfect on our 'special day', it's nice to give back and think of others less fortunate.

You can also do a donation and something small for your guests. We had 3 Jordan almonds at everyones plate. Just a little something traditional.

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You dont have not ONE favor from any of the weddings you have ever gone too? WOW! I certaintly do, photo albums, glass ice bucket, sterling silver gray boat and spoon, picture frames, set of sterling silver mini spoons set like a flower, candles,ornament, I could go on on how many BEAUTIFUL favors there are that people DO keep!

Its up to the bride and groom, but I have to say about 95% of your guests do look for a favor- how many times have you gone to a wedding and said oh I wonder what the favor is? Its exciting, and guests like to take something home from weddings. Im not saying not to do a donation all I am saying is that I saw the reaction and it wasnt a good one from a lot of guests when they saw the favor was a donation, I rec to have something small, kisses in tulle, something for them to take home.
I didnt want to say this either but I will to give you some thought too about what your guest may think about your donation idea, I heard a few guests who werent family say- and I quote ' How cheap can they be- this is the favor, what did they donate 100 bucks! and they laughed. Some of your guests may not agree with your choice of donation AND may feel it was the cheap way out.
I dont want to get blasted for this, Im just quoting what I heard from guests and thats why I stayed WAY clear of doing donations. If my favors didnt cost me 10 a pop, we would have done a favor for my DH mom who died of a stroke, but I didnt want her to be remembered that way at the wedding either, so we agreed not to do it.

I dont want you guys to think Im saying its cheap, I am just commenting on what I heard from people who were at a wedding regarding the donation favor.
and right its most of the older women that look for something.
Like all favors its a personal decision of the bride and groom, will aunt eloise remember it- who knows? will she talk about it at her bridge games? who knows but really who cares, the wedding will come and go and no matter what you cant please everyone and thats too bad, its your wedding, go with what is in your heart.

Honestly, I don't have any favors from any wedding I have been to. I can't even think of one. Oh, I did get a wedding CD once that I have never played (not my taste in music).

I never go into a wedding wondering what the favor is, but that's just me. I think the only people that care are old aunts. I would rather see a donation to a charity than take home a gravy boat or ice cream scoop.

I never heard the comment about the 'cheap way out'. That is terrible that people honestly think that way. I have only heard positive comments from people about donations.

Everyone is different.............

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Posted by debbiedee77

Honestly, I don't have any favors from any wedding I have been to. I can't even think of one. Oh, I did get a wedding CD once that I have never played (not my taste in music).

I never go into a wedding wondering what the favor is, but that's just me. I think the only people that care are old aunts. I would rather see a donation to a charity than take home a gravy boat or ice cream scoop.

I never heard the comment about the 'cheap way out'. I have only heard positive comments from people about donations.

Everyone is different.............

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I didnt either until I heard it, regarding the cheap way out. I thought it was rude. You'd be surprised of the comments people make at weddings or the days after, they compare all the time- the place the food- the flowers , even our dear old aunts, unfortunately. I heard it before my wedding with my stepfamily, oh so and so did this and that and blah blah blah. but again like you said everyone is different, when I read this post it reminded me of what happened at my stepbro's wedding and just wanted to share.

my cousin donated money to the cancer center that she feels is the reason she is still alive today... the type of treatment they gave her was very unique and it worked great for her--she has been surviving now for years and everyone LOVED it, i thought it was the nicest idea i had seen in a long time...
my FH and i are going to donate to MADD because we lost a very special friend of ours to a drunk and reckless driver. we are also making a donation to the ASPCA b/c my FH and i LOVE animals. ALSO (lol--we are in the giving mood) we are donating the left over food to a Veteran's soup kitchen and flowers to a senior citizen home.
who really needs another 2 dollar favor to throw in the draw anyway, JMO. i never use the stuff i get--half the time the people leave them on the table!

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Posted by girlygrl33

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Posted by debbiedee77

Honestly, I don't have any favors from any wedding I have been to. I can't even think of one. Oh, I did get a wedding CD once that I have never played (not my taste in music).

I never go into a wedding wondering what the favor is, but that's just me. I think the only people that care are old aunts. I would rather see a donation to a charity than take home a gravy boat or ice cream scoop.

I never heard the comment about the 'cheap way out'. I have only heard positive comments from people about donations.

Everyone is different.............

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I didnt either until I heard it, regarding the cheap way out. I thought it was rude. You'd be surprised of the comments people make at weddings or the days after, they compare all the time- the place the food- the flowers , even our dear old aunts, unfortunately. I heard it before my wedding with my stepfamily, oh so and so did this and that and blah blah blah. but again like you said everyone is different, when I read this post it reminded me of what happened at my stepbro's wedding and just wanted to share.

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i agree with the fact that everyone is always talking about your wedding but i think no matter what you do someone is going to find fault or say something. it's so sad but that is just the way people are. no matter what wedding you go to there's always going to be some nasty person making negative comments so i try not to let that bother me and do what makes me and my FH happy b/c you really can't win. it stinks! lol