Bridal showers and wedding showers are meant for friends and family to gather together in celebration of the bride and/or partner’s upcoming marriage. Traditionally, a shower will consist of games, brunch or lunch, and gift giving (and usually gift opening). If opening gifts in front of an audience or planning another event in addition to your wedding isn’t your cup of tea, consider “VOWing” your shower and do good while getting to enjoy quality time with your closest friends and family!

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“For us getting married is an incredibly spiritual experience celebrating a bigger story of sacrificial love. But we also knew there’s many who don’t have the privilege of choosing that story for themselves, which is why we were delighted to replace requests for bridal shower gifts with a VOW fundraiser. ”

– Karyn & Kyle, VOW Couple | $1,738 raised in lieu of bridal shower gifts

Reasons You May Want a Non-Traditional Bridal Shower

You want the day to center around quality time with your friends and family, rather than gifts

You do not want to open gifts in front of everyone

You would like to create a sustainable and charitable day that aligns with your values

Your wedding registry covers everything you need, bridal shower gifts seem unnecessary

You feel uncomfortable asking your guests to purchase additional gifts

You do not want to add to your wedding planning to-do list

Many newly engaged couples enjoy registering for gifts to start their new life together – and we understand why! It’s a great way for family and friends to gift you with items and/ or experiences that you will actually love and put to good use. But what about bridal shower gifts? If you think your wedding registry covers all of the gifts you and your fiancé/e will need, or you resonate with any of the above, consider giving back with your bridal shower with a charitable registry – here’s how:

Step 1: Add Your Information

Once you have decided that you would like to create a charitable registry with VOW, click here to begin the process. Then you will simply add your name, your partner’s name, wedding date and some additional information so we can get to know you and so your guests know they are in the right place!

Step 2: Customize Your Charitable Registry Page

After entering your information, you will be taken to your newly created charitable registry page! From there, all you have to do is add a photo, set a fundraising goal, and add a note on why you are choosing to support VOW with your bridal shower.

Example language: “In lieu of traditional bridal shower gifts, I kindly ask you to instead consider donating to VOW for Girls, a non profit organization that is dedicated to ending child marriage. I am grateful to be able to choose love on my own terms and want the same for all girls around the world. Thank you for showering me with love and supporting a cause so dear to my heart.”

‍VOW bride Courtney created a dedicated donation page in lieu of gifts at her bridal shower

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Step 3: Share Your New Charitable Registry

We highly recommend adding the link to your new charitable shower registry page within your bridal shower invitations to allow guests to easily find your page. If you are looking for a shorter URL, please contact the VOW team and we will be happy to provide one.

Step 4 (Optional): Kick Off Your Donation Page

By kicking off your wedding shower registry with a donation of your choosing, you will help encourage guests to join in and get involved. You have the option for this to be anonymous as well should you prefer.

And that’s it! The entire process takes no more than 5 minutes and 100% of the funds raised go directly to grassroots efforts to end child marriage. Every dollar counts, as just $47 can pay the enrollment fees for a girl to attend school for a year.

These same steps apply if you would like to create a charitable registry in lieu of wedding gifts. Check out our blog for more inspiration on how to give back with your wedding!

READY TO DITCH THE SHOWER GIFTS AND DO MORE?

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