Alternative Gift Registry and Favor Options

The ring is on your finger, the date is set, the reception hall is booked- it's time for the age old tradition of registering for gifts. But what if you are already trying to put two households together or just don't want a bunch more stuff? Some couples today are opting to share their love by requesting donations to charity instead of gifts.

As today's brides and grooms are getting older and more established in their lives and careers, many couples already have household items (sometimes even two sets) normally put on bridal registries. Other couples may be planning several moves over the next few years with jobs and careers and just don't want to be saddled with a lot of excess items to pack and unpack. Others simply want to share their love and joy without accumulating unnecessary material possessions. Instead of registering for gifts you may or may not use often, why not opt for donations to your favorite charities.

As you celebrate the uniting of your lives in love, it is a natural extension to pass that love on to others. Choose one to three charities that are meaningful to you as a couple. Maybe your families have been touched by diseases that need research money for cures. Maybe childrens' charities are particularly close to your hearts. Or maybe a local charity is really making a difference in your community. Chose your charities carefully, knowing how and why they will spend the money donated. If it is a local charity, let them know what you are planning so they can keep track of donors and give you a list so you can send thank you notes. Remember that a charitable donation given in your name is still a gift and deserves a handwritten thank you note from you, the couple.

There are several online sites that can assist in keeping track and taking your guests donation. JustGive.org and IDoFoundation.org both have websites set up to help your guests make their donations. Just remember when using websites like these your guests will pay a 3%?10% processing fee that will either be taken out of their donation or be added on to their total, depending on the website. There also maybe gift center service fees added on so check all the fine print before choosing to use a third party website.

If you opt to just give information directly to your guests and forego the extra fees, first of all, get the websites, phone numbers, and addresses of all your chosen charities. Print all the information on cards along with brief descriptions of why the charities are important to you. Distribute these to family, wedding party members and close friends for them to have information available when guests ask where you are registered. You may also decide to have a charity themed bridal shower to set the tone where guests donate to a charity instead of bringing the traditional shower gifts. This can be printed in with the shower invitation and is a great way to 'get the word out.'

The old rule of etiquette was that anything about gift giving should never be put in writing. But in today's wedding culture it is perfectly acceptable to enclose a card with your invitation that explains that 'in lieu of gifts' you have chosen the following charities to share in your love. According to Sara Keltsch at The Monogram Shoppe, this should never appear on the invitation itself but an enclosed card with your charities' information is perfectly acceptable.

However you decide to inform your guests, charitable donations are a wonderful way for you, your family and friends to multiply the love you have to many others less fortunate as you celebrate your special day. After all, it's all about love!