I have been thinking quite a bit about not giving favors and giving a donation to my favorite organization in lieu of favors What do you think?
Has anyone done this?
How did it go over with your guests?
A lot of our guests are from out of town and I would not like them to carry with too much Also, about 1/2 our guest are doctors and lawyers (do to both our careers and family members) and I thought they will appreciate and understand the donation....as a matter of fact....I think most people will understand.
In case I don't do the donations, most guests drink wine so I thought about giving wine botthe stoppers.
What do you think....donation or wine stopper?
How would you feel if you did not receive a favor?
I NEED HELP!! THANKS
S
Kruzlover
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
I've thought about that a lot too. One one hand, I don't think people even remember to take the favors some of the time - but on the other hand it's so common that people might notice the absence of a favor. I think many people might think it's nice that you've spent your money on a charitable cause instead of with swag that just goes to waste, but you are definitely always going to have those few who complain. I think if it's something you really believe in, then go for it!
jaep129
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
Dot it. We are and when I tell people who are coming to the wedding are so happy and say I would rather that then some favor I would forget or not use. We are donating to the American Cancer Society in my god mothers name who passed at X-Mas. Really it is the best gift ever!
Almostawife
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
I'm doing donations for both my shower and wedding. Breast cancer for the shower since it's all women and ALS foundation for the wedding since my FH's dad passed away from that.
How many weddings have you attended that you get a favor that you could have lived without.
The donations hit the heart and that is what weddings are all about.
Try and find a charity that could or would have helped someone in your family and everyone will appreciate that.
missliss
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
We did donations and I've been to many wedding where they did donations. Guests appreciate the sentiment and trust me they're not going to miss bringing home something they'll never use. Why not pair it with a little something edible like chocolates or cookies or something? We did a candy buffet so our guests had bags of candy to take with them.
stinenandy2010
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
For the past four weddings I've been too, they have done donations. They usually give a little something, like candy with a note saying a donation was made. Try to pick a donation that means something to you. For example, my cousin's Fh's mother is passed and died from lung cancer so their donation is to the lung cancer research foundation.
lizzie217
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
Im doing donations and then a box of 2 Godiva choclates. People dont miss the favors usually!
BarbieGrl10
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
Do it! I love the idea! I honestly hate getting something I'm never going to use and I feel bad about the money spent on each gift. I think giving a donation is such a wonderful gift! I want to do this as well!
92008Bride
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
In my opinion it means so much more to make a charitable gift in lieu of giving 'dust collectors'.
We are making a gift to the Hospice Care Network in honor of my FH parents. They give you a scroll that you can put at each place setting explaining that you have made a donation instead of giving a traditional favor.
And I know that a number of people will often make a donation and create their own cards if the organization doesn't provide it for them.
eoconnell09
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
I am thinking about doing this as well. I already bought coasters but I really like the idea of donations, so I was thinking of making a donation as well.....
What you can do is buy 1-2 really nice yet inexpensive frames for each table and place a note stating that you have chosen to make a donation to XXXXX Organization in their honor. Then you can raffle off the frames somehow if you want. Since I am giving coasters, I would add a line about toasting to the cause or something whenever they use the coasters.
ML110
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
for our wedding almost 3 years ago, we did donations. and even this long after, we still get comments from time to time of what a nice idea it was. we donated to the lance armstrong cancer fund, becasue my dad is a cancer survivor and so are a few people in both our families. we gave each guest a yellow 'Livestrong' bracelet and a little tin of mints. the tag said something like ' To honor our loved ones affected by cancer, a donation has been made to the lance armstrong cancer fund' this way, the guests that like to have something to take home, had something. we got nothnig by positive comments about it, and some of the guests were wearing the bracelets for months afterward. i feel like it was definitely a good move good luck!!
NickandTara426
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
I am doing donations instead of favors because most people either take them home and throw them away or leave them on the table. We are donating to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund because my Grammy died from OC in 2002. I was thinking of buying the teal personalized M&M's and wrapping them in tule just to give something.
sophisticat13
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
We are doing donatins in lieu of favors. I know I will be beaten after I say this but....I have been to so many weddings where the favors (with the exception of edible favors) were just another thing to gather dust in the house... (sorry!!! JMO...although I have seen so many cute and useful favors lately!!!). That was one of the reasons we chose not to do a favor. The other was that we want to honor our late fathers at our wedding and we chose to do this by donating in their honor to certain charities. I don't really think that guests will miss a favor...I have asked some close friends for their honest opinions and they all told me that they don't think a favor will be missed especially when we are donating to worthy causes. I think that if you want to do this it's a great idea and most guests will think highly of you for doing it!!!!!
Brooklynbride
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
Thanks!!!
jeanne08
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delete
BunnyBears
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
I really like the idea of donations but I like favors too. When I shared my idea about doing a donation instead my family did not care for it. If you have guests who will appreciate it it helps. I 'll still donate but at another time.
AndRecKy
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
im doing a donation ANd an edible favor as well.
beram63
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
we're giving donations favors as a way to honor our deceased fathers and my cancer-surviving brother. We're attaching notes to gerber daises we're buying in bulk from costco so guests will technically get their 'free gift.' IMHO, if guests are annoyed that we chose to put the money toward a good cause rather than give them a cheap knick-knack, tough nuggies. it's my wedding. i don't suspect it'll be a problem tho.
bigrd37
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
I'm doing a donation in honor of my father as well as giving out chocolate truffles. i wanted to give people something to take home, but something that won't break the bank. so the chocolates aren't too expensive and the difference i'm giving to St. Judes.
sheeshamuff
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Re: Donations in lieu of favors
Donation all the way. I am doing a donation to the American Cancer Society b/c one of my best friends, who would be in my wedding, passed away 2 years ago from cancer. Also, FH's uncle just died a couple weeks ago of cancer. So it makes sense for us to honor them in this way. I always think it is a nice touch to do a donation favor. It is a small way to give back. I also want to use breast cancer awareness stamps on my invites. At least someone, other than me and my reception hall, will be profiting from my wedding, even if it is just a little bit.
