A wedding is a time of celebration and happiness for all involved. At its core, the day is a showpiece to love – as two people take the time to shout about their love in front of a collection of treasured guests. But while the happy couple should always be at the center of things, it’s possible to use the big day to also benefit charitable causes. 

In the UK, as many as 278,000 weddings are said to be held on an annual basis. In the US, that number extends to a mind-boggling 2 million. If every one of those events raised just a modest $50, that would amount to a whopping $113.9 million a year being accrued across those two nations alone.

Are you interested in how your wedding day might be able to help give back to those in need? Here are three of the best ways to seamlessly blend fundraising and partying together as part of any occasion. 

1.Sell goods and donate the profits 

A lot of what you use at a wedding is unlikely to serve a purpose again in the future. And while it’s totally at your own discretion to keep any items for sentimental reasons, it’s also not unheard of for brides and grooms to sell-on any items which they can’t see themselves using again. After all, your day will be forever cemented in photos. 

If you do feel comfortable selling goods you no longer have a use for, you can make the choice to donate all profits back to charity. Arguably the biggest ticket item in this regard is the wedding dress itself. Reports show that you can receive up to 50% of the original cost of a dress if it’s returned in good condition. 

2. Run a wedding raffle or silent auction 

An oldie but a goldie, having a raffle which people can buy tickets for, or a silent auction where people place private bids on items throughout the day, is a guaranteed way to spin a profit. Just make it clear that the proceeds are going to a good cause. 

You can choose to either have a small percentage of the raffle money be given out as a prize, or a specific item which you’ve bought beforehand. In order to heighten the impact, consider making the silent auction prizes something sentimental (like a dinner out with the married couple at a later date). 

3. Donate a percentage of your registry to a charity 

It’s likely that you’ll have a wedding registry as part of your celebration. This is a great chance for you to redirect a percentage of any financial gifts towards the cause of your choosing. 

Research shows that the average wedding gift value sits at around $160. If 50 guests donated this amount, and even just 10% of this went towards a charity, you’d raise $800 from your registry alone. 

A wedding should always be about the love you share for your spouse. But that doesn’t mean you need to overlook the love you have for your fellow man as well. Consider utilizing these fundraising ideas on your big day to help give back to those in need. 

Guest writer, Leo Clarke

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