Charity Wedding Registries: Everything You Need to Know

Here is everything you need to know about what charity wedding registry is all about and how to have one of your own!

A charity wedding registry is a type of registry where couples ask you to donate to a particular charity rather than have a traditional registry where they are given home-making gifts.

If you would rather have a charitable wedding registry rather than a traditional registry, here is your ultimate guide on exactly how to choose your charity and what steps to take to make your guests donate to your wedding registry. 

The first step to creating your registry is to choose a charity to support. Once you have this step down, you can then start to design your own website to have an online registry. There are lots of websites that help you create a registry online. 

Instead of choosing specific gifts that you want on the online registry, you can opt to receive cash gifts. Indicate which charity you are supporting on your online registry so that your guests know what they are donating to.

When you receive the cash donations, then make a donation in your name to your charity of your choosing. 

If you think traditional registries are out of date, and you don’t want anymore kitchen gadgets, opt for a different option. Having your guests donate to charities is a more philanthropic option than honeymoon registries or puppy funds. 

Wedding guests will be happy that they do not have to find a specific wedding gift or a product off of Amazon that they think you will enjoy. A simple charitable donation is all you will ask for in lieu of cash or any other wedding day present for the newlyweds.

Benefits of a Charity Wedding Registry

Opting for a charitable donation instead of wedding gifts on your special day is not only better for your guests, it is also a great way to give back. Your wedding day is one of the happiest days of your life, so why not give back a little?

Weddings often cost a lot of money. If you have a wedding then it is often implied that you have a good amount of money to spend on having the special day of your dreams, so why not use your guests gifts to you as a way to show your appreciation for everything you have. 

Depending on your charity of choice, you will help people in the world that are suffering. The gift of giving back is better than any kitchen appliance or honeyfund that you would receive at your wedding. Your favorite charity foundation will be appreciative that you used this opportunity to give back. 

Choose a Charity to Support

There are five distinct questions to ask yourself when determining what charity you want to support. According to TIME magazine, you should use this criteria when determining which charity you want to donate to. 

1. Give to your own values, passions and interests which will help your giving become more intentional and deepen your relationship with a given charity
2. Reflect back on the last year, if you lost a loved one to an illness or injury, a charity that helps fund research or raise awareness about that cause might be meaningful to you
3. In the aftermath of natural disasters or humanitarian crises, it’s natural to want to help, and charities in related fields often tie their solicitations to those headline-making events
4. Decide if you want to make an impact locally or globally
5. Before you open your wallet, make sure the charity to which you plan to give will use your donation wisely

Good Charities to Support for Your Registry

The following charities were found on GoFundMe.com under the most popular charities to donate to as of 2021. 

Heart to Heart International

Heart to Heart International has shipped medical supplies to over 131 countries and given over $2 billion in aid to the less fortunate. To help curb the spread of COVID-19, it has created Stay Healthy kits that include standard hygiene products, but also gloves, masks, and bottles of hand sanitizer.

Cancer Research Institute 

The Cancer Research Institute funds research on immunotherapy treatment for all types of cancer. Its programs include training for emerging cancer researchers, clinical research, and public education initiatives. In fiscal year 2019, the organization spent 87 cents out of every dollar donated on its programs. 

The Trevor Project 

The ultimate goal of The Trevor Project is to end suicide among LGBTQ people under 25 by providing them with counseling and education. It offers young people support with trained counselors via phone, text, and online chat. Every $1 donated allows people to get one more minute of counseling.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

The ACLU has been defending the constitutional rights of individuals for almost 100 years. Whether it means fighting for LGBTQ+ rights or ensuring that women are able to make their own choices about their reproductive health, its mission is to protect the civil liberties of every person in the US.

The Innocence Project

More than 365 innocent individuals in the US have been exonerated thanks to DNA evidence. The Innocence Project fights for justice by re-examining cold cases with new DNA evidence and freeing those who were wrongfully convicted. The nonprofit also aims to reform the criminal justice system to prevent future wrongful incarcerations.

Relief International

This nonprofit works in 16 different countries to provide food, education, and medical care to “people in the world’s most fragile settings.” Now, its workers are building isolation and treatment centers in refugee camps for COVID-19 patients, delivering care packages to the homes of refugees, and opening more health clinics.