Over the years, one thing has struck me again and again: the brides who choose me as their wedding photographer are some of the kindest, most compassionate people I have ever met. I find this out before the big day at their engagement session, only to have it confirmed ten times over at the actual wedding. These amazing women (and men, because the groom is always involved as well!) have invested time, energy, and money into thinking about others on a day that most would agree is all about them.
Because this theme has been true throughout the years, I wanted to highlight the ways to give back at your wedding by supporting charitable organizations, creating eco-friendly wedding themes, and more. These are just a few of the things I have seen - let me know what other ideas I haven’t mentioned!
1) Donate to a charitable organization in lieu of favors.
If a charity is near and dear to your heart, consider making a donation on behalf of your wedding guests, or even letting them decide by ‘voting’ with their name cards. Favors can be both expensive and forgettable, and this is a way to make your wedding memorable, both for your guests and the organizations you impact afterward.
2) Donate wedding flowers to a charity.
My sister actually introduced me to this idea! She worked for years at a nursing home, and after the wedding her florist brought the remaining flowers there to bless the residents. Ask your floral designer for ideas about how to donate your wedding flowers after the fact so you can give the beautiful centerpieces and bouquets a second life!
3) Create eco-friendly themes at your wedding.
One of my brides in particular was sad about the waste that can often occur on a wedding day, so she chose to give seeds to her wedding guests to restore some of the environmental impact a huge celebration can have. You can also choose recycled materials, buy a dress from a consignment store, rent bridal party attire, and more - here’s a whole blog post full of ideas!
4) Give your wedding gown a second life.
This one can be difficult, and if you choose to keep your wedding dress there is nothing wrong with that at all. Personally, I would love to give my wedding dress away, but Nathan is very sentimentally attached, so it is preserved in our closet to this day. But, if you are open to the idea, there are a few amazing organizations that re-purpose wedding dresses for good (Brides Across America, Adorned in Grace, and The Angel Gown Program, to name a few).
5) Highlight businesses that give back.
There are so many socially-conscious businesses and eco-friendly wedding vendors that provide support to those in need far beyond the wedding day. Everything is on the table, from buying jewelry that counts (Noonday Collection, Hands Producing Hope), choosing ‘green’ invitation suites (Bella Figura), using re-purposed floral arrangements (rebloom), and more. For every vendor you choose, there is sure to be one that gives back with its time and money - a simple internet search will give you almost limitless options!
If you want your wedding to give back, if you want to use your wedding to support charitable organizations, or even if you want to plan an eco-friendly wedding, there are countless ways to make your wedding about more than just yourselves while still hosting a gorgeous, memorable day.
Maria Grace is a wedding photographer and digital marketer for small businesses based in Hampton Roads, Virginia. She has been married to her college sweetheart, Nathan, for almost 9 years, and two years ago they brought their feisty and beautiful daughter Willow home through adoption. Nathan and Maria are certified foster parents, gluten-free foodies, and community builders in their local church.
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