Charitable weddings: ideas for giving back

At Lineham Farm, we’re also home to Leeds Children’s Charity, a local children’s charity that provides unforgettable respite breaks for underprivileged young people in the Leeds area. It’s no surprise then that wedding charity donations and giving back to those in need is something that’s very close to our hearts.

Couples using their wedding budgets for philanthropic good is becoming an increasingly popular concept. And it might just be simpler than you think. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can incorporate charity giving into your big day, keep reading for our picks of thoughtful ways you can help give back.

Wedding charity donation ideas

Hire a non-profit venue

Marni V Photography

Finding a meaningful, non-profit wedding venue means you can rest assured your wedding budget is going straight back to a great cause. Whether it’s a historical site, a museum or a charity space like ours at Lineham Farm, supporting a worthwhile organisation on your big day through venue hire is one of the easiest – not to mention biggest – ways to make a difference.

Supporting our charity and the local children of Leeds is one of the best reasons to book your wedding with us. As well as getting a blank canvas weekend wedding venue surrounded by acres of gorgeous Yorkshire countryside, you also know that all the profits raised from the venue hire go straight back towards helping a fantastic cause. You get the wedding of your dreams, and in turn, directly contribute towards helping young local people create happy childhood memories.

Charity wedding favours

Why not choose a meaningful way to thank your guests for attending your big day with a charity wedding favour? A small token of appreciation for your guests means even more when it’s supporting a charitable cause.

Charities like Mind, Cancer Research and Macmillan Cancer Support all have wedding favours available for purchase, with some great options to choose from. Small pins and badges can be backed onto a place setting card and are a lovely way to remind your guests that their attendance is helping to support a charity. Charity flower seeds are another fantastic way to show your support for your chosen cause, and the resulting blooms are a perfect reminder of the special day your guests shared with you.

Charity donations

Shelley @ Toast of Leeds

Simple but effective, encouraging wedding charity donations is one of the most straightforward ways to give back at your wedding. Some couples choose to ask guests to forgo traditional wedding gifts, instead recommending a donation to a charity of their choosing. This is ideal if you want to discourage waste from wedding gifts you neither need nor want (most couples nowadays don’t need another set of champagne flutes!) and is a lovely way to pay your guests’ generosity forward.

Another option is to hold a cash charity collection on the day itself. If you have an open bar, a collection bucket nearby for your chosen charity is a nice way of encouraging guests to donate if they have spare cash.

Charity shopping

Second-hand shopping is a sustainable way of preparing for your wedding, and there are guaranteed to be plenty of great, unique finds waiting in the charity shops that line your local high street. From small pieces of décor to larger items like pre-loved wedding dresses, a little hunting through charity shops is often well worth the effort.

Charity shopping is great for couples going for a mismatched, boho theme on the big day. We love the idea of shopping around for one-of-a-kind vases for unique centrepieces, or hunting out some beautiful vintage bridal jewellery.

And a handful more ideas…

• Donate any food leftovers to a food bank or shelter.
• Spread some cheer by donating your wedding flowers to a local hospital or nursing home.
• Donate your wedding decorations to charity so they can be reused by another thrifty couple.
• Include a volunteer or charity event in your hen or stag party – you could help out at an animal shelter, or even do something bold like skydive for a charity of your choice.

Lineham Farm offers a blank canvas that you can use to create the wedding of your dreams, all while supporting the wonderful work of Leeds Children’s Charity. If you’d like to find out more, please download our free brochure here.

If you’d like to experience the beauty of Lineham Farm in person, we welcome couples to come and visit us for a tour. Get in touch with our team to arrange a visit on 0113 3783939 or weddings@linehamfarm.co.uk.