Your wedding day is your day, as it should be. However lots of couples choose to share their love with more than just their guests. Here are some creative ways to spread the love from your wedding to the world.
A Wedding Memories Garden
A simple way to add brightness to guests' moods and to the environment is to create a garden. Brides and grooms sometimes choose the gift of seeds for their guests as a thank you for sharing their day. Often these seeds are planted in guests' gardens or other places of their choosing. It is fun to see where the plants end up, and with new plants popping up in various areas, the environment benefits. But seed planting can be even more meaningful. Instead of having guests plant the seeds in their own gardens, try fostering a community garden. Check with local agencies like the YMCA or YWCA, 4H, and other community centers to see if plots are available for public use.
As the couple of the day, you will invite your guests to plant their seeds (vegetables, flowers, herbs, whatever you choose) in the community spot. Guests can visit the garden time and time again to track the progress. Creating a community garden involves teamwork and a sense of accomplishment, and every participating guest will get to share in the pride of creating something beautiful and beneficial.
Donations in Lieu of Wedding Gifts
Donations are a big way to share the love, and they come in an endless number of methods and forms. Many couples choose to have guests make donations to a specific organization(s) or charities in lieu of gifts.
Sponsorship donations are another way to get your guests involved. For example, races such as the Race for the Cure breast cancer event held annually, gives racers the chance to collect sponsors and money to donate to breast cancer research. Sponsorship donations are a great way for couples to participate in events they love and support and have their guests right there with them as they do so. Couples can also put their guests up to a challenge by asking them to donate an item to their local charitable thrift shop. Most people will have at least one thing they are willing to part with and this could be a perfect way for them to do so.
Keep Wedding Guests Involved
Whatever way you choose to share your love, be sure to keep your guests involved. People appreciate choices, so give your guests a few options of where you would like them to donate. But please allow them to donate whatever they can afford. There is little worse than being told you have to donate a certain amount when you are simply unable to do so. Allow your guests to choose the amount of any donation.
Lastly, make it fun. No one wants to be bored at a wedding, so choose a shared experience your guests will enjoy. Besides, you know them best. You know they are great people. Be sincere and show them that everyone pitching in to do small things can make a big difference.
Sarai Garnett - Sarai Garnett believes that every day brings promise for great experiences. Holding a B.A. in Interpersonal and Organizational ...
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