Wedding fundraising tips and ideas

Published 2 October, 2023. Update: 5 September, 2024.
Wedding fundraising tips and ideas

A wedding day is a unique celebration where two families become one through the love of two people who vow to be faithful and support each other for better or worse. This exciting and joyous event comes with a price, which can ruin fiancées' dreams and ideas. Find out how to get the money for your dream wedding, and don't give up on your creative plans!

Planning a wedding should be exciting and joyous. Unfortunately, for some couples, it's a stressful and expensive endeavour.

The average wedding cost varies between European countries. It also depends on the season and number of guests. If you want a modest ceremony with a small group of loved ones, you can fit in a few thousand euros without any worries. However, with a longer guest list, an increasing number of decorations or a higher standard of wedding hall, the price of an average wedding can rise to tens of thousands of euros.

At 4fund.com, we believe that brides and grooms should not give up on their dreams. After all, there are so many ways to get a wedding fund.

Go to section

  1. How do you get your wedding fund?
  2. Fundraising Ideas for Weddings
  3. Sponsored weddings - is this the domain of celebrities?
  4. Convenient fundraising for a wedding gift
  5. How to ask for money at a wedding? Tips and tools
  6. The solidarity wedding - a charitable trend among couples

How do you get your wedding fund?

There are many ways to raise money to make your wedding dreams come true. The internet is full of wedding loan adverts and articles about sponsorship opportunities. But before you go into debt or spend time and energy contacting brands and entrepreneurs, why not consider an easier way to raise additional funds? For example, with the help of family and friends?

Although it has become increasingly popular, wedding fundraising is not a new trend. After all, we are all familiar with the custom of giving money envelopes to the bride and groom. When deciding how much to give, most guests consider the cost of the venue, catering, and sometimes accommodation. Everyone gives as much as they can afford without any compulsion. It is the same with wedding fundraising.

What makes the two customs different is the timing of the money. In the case of a wedding fundraiser, the bride and groom receive the money before the ceremony. This allows them to make all the necessary deposits and be realistic about how much money they need to contribute to the wedding fund. While this may seem unusual to some, it is a massive financial relief for the bride and groom and makes it easier to plan the ceremony.

A photo of a wedding backdrop with a wedding cake and a circle made of flowers and green leaves

If you want to expand your wedding budget easily and without consequences, fundraising is your solution. And 4fund.com is the perfect place for your wedding fundraiser! We are 100% free, with no commission or transaction fees. What's more, we give you a lot of extra features to help you raise money even faster. Find out why you should choose us and set up your wedding fundraiser today.

Create fundraiser - for free, no fee!

Create fundraiser - for free, no fee!

Minimising the cost of fundraising is one of the best ways to raise money effectively. What are the others? Read on to find out.

Fundraising Ideas for Weddings

Now that we understand the benefits of wedding fundraising, let's explore some creative ideas. They can be tailored to suit your individual needs and preferences, making your wedding truly unique.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding has changed the way people raise money for various causes, including weddings. Couples can start a campaign to tell their love story and gather donations. People who care about them can help them make their dreams come true by donating to the campaign. It can be a powerful way to raise money and connect with people on a deeper level.

Wedding Registry

Instead of traditional wedding gifts, couples can create a wedding registry that allows guests to contribute to specific wedding expenses. It can include anything from the venue and catering to the honeymoon and photography. On 4fund.com you can add symbolic rewards to your wedding fundraiser and let guests choose what they want to fund.

Examples of rewards on 4fund.com so that guests can contribute to specific wedding expenses. Among them: A piece of a wedding cake (5 euro), Souvenir photo (10 euro), 1 hour of music (40 euro), Food and drinks for one guest (100 euro), Bride's flowers (500 euro), Wedding ring (1000 euro)

Fundraising Events

Organising fundraising events can be a fun and interactive manner to raise funds for your wedding. You can host a charity auction, a bake sale, or even a themed party where guests can make donations.

Get creative with your event ideas. Spread the world with them through social media, word of mouth and by adding an update to your 4fund. It's a great way to involve your community and make your wedding a communal affair.

News view with information about the garage sale, all proceeds of which will go towards organising the wedding

Personalised Merchandise

Create personalised merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, or keychains with your names and wedding date. Sell these items or put them on auction to raise funds for your wedding. Not only will people be supporting your cause, but they will also have a keepsake to remember your special day. This can add a personal touch to your wedding and make it truly memorable.

example of a personalised mug with a photo of the bride and groom

Wedding Raffles

Organise a wedding raffle where guests can purchase tickets for a chance to win exciting prizes. Reach out to local businesses and ask for donations of products or services that can be included in the raffle. This not only raises funds but also helps promote local businesses. It's a win-win situation!

Sponsored weddings - is this the domain of celebrities?

Even if you don't have a million followers on Instagram, you can still try to get free stuff for your wedding. Find out how.

Why are companies giving away freebies?

Why invest in free samples, gifts or even full services at a fraction of the price? The only sensible answer is advertising. Preferably one that targets a specific group of people who live in the company's area of operation and may become its future customers. Maybe your wedding guests?

If you are organising a larger wedding, or if a large proportion of your guests live in the local area, you can attract some sponsors who will happily advertise their goods and services at your wedding. To achieve this, prove to the brands that advertising at your wedding party will be effective. See where to start.

Clever ideas for wedding sponsorship promotion

  1. Gather an observer base. 4fund.com is perfect for this! Our platform gives you access to the email addresses of all the people who have donated to your fundraiser. Once you have a reasonable number of supporters, you can use the possibility of contact as an argument when negotiating with sponsors. A sponsor logo in the updates or an email to your guests telling them who prepared the delicious cake for your wedding are just some of the ways you can thank your sponsor and promote their generosity.
  2. Tell a story of love. Use the description of your fundraiser on 4fund.com and then develop it in the updates. You can also share images of your wedding preparations on social media, either on your own or a separate, dedicated profile. As you develop your narrative, remember the values your potential sponsors want to identify with. Include these in your storytelling.
  3. Be polite and open-minded. The sponsor may ask to display their logo in the wedding hall, on social media or in photographs. Don't refuse outright. Discuss and try to agree on methods of exposure that both parties are happy with. You are under no obligation to turn your wedding hall into a billboard. Remember, however, that by offering large discounts or free services, the company can expect the equivalent of advertising.
  4. Be realistic. When approaching sponsors, always consider the value of the service you are discussing and the amount of publicity you can offer them. Hanging a bakery's logo over a coffee table which a hundred people visit is unlikely to be worth a wedding cake. But it might be worth a few loaves of bread or a coffee cake. Especially, when these hundred people live relatively close to the advertised bakery.

The photo shows a table of sweet snacks. One of the plates next to the sweet monoporations bears the logo of the patisserie

Who else can become a Wedding Sponsor?

When thinking about sponsors, don't limit yourself to business owners. With 4fund.com, anyone can contribute to your party. Family, neighbours, friends or work colleagues can easily donate small amounts of money that add up to a larger sum.

Consider the people around you who might contribute, not just traditional sponsors, when raising funds for your wedding. Set aside time and resources to communicate with them. Print posters or flyers and even write letters. These actions will pay off quickly.

Convenient fundraising for a wedding gift

This way, the crowdfunding can be used by the couple or their guests. By putting together a gift, you can raise a significant amount of money and make more than one dream come true. Discover the tools offered by 4fund.com and raise money for your wedding gift.

QR code

This is an easy to use link to your fundraiser that can be conveniently scanned with a mobile phone. The QR code can direct the Donator to view the fundraiser or make a donation - the choice is yours.

”You

Poster

You can put them up at work to encourage colleagues to come along and give a gift to the couple, or email them to people you want to contribute with. With just one click, you can create a poster with a photo, a goal, a snippet of the fundraiser description, a link and a QR code. This is a quick way to get the word out about your fundraiser.

To create a poster, click on the 'Poster' button in the menu below the 'Donate' option. The poster will open in a new tab. You can download or print it.

Greeting card

This feature automatically generates a card with the names of the people who have contributed to the gift. You can print it out and give it to the bride and groom on their wedding day.

To create a greeting card, click on the “More” button placed below “Donate option”. Then choose the “Greeting card” option”. Choose the colours and data (only donations or donations with names and comments) visible on the greeting card.

Sharing tools

Share your fundraiser on Facebook, Linkedin, X or Messenger with one click. Easily reach people who want to donate a few euros towards a wedding gift.

View of the extended menu of sharing tools. At the very top you can see the social media icons: facebook, messenger, linkedin and twitter. Below this is the built-in mailing tool consisting of a text field for entering recipients' email addresses and a second field for the message content.

How to ask for money at a wedding? Tips and tools

Where else can you link to your fundraiser? Could it be on invitations, in the hall or even on tables? Check out our suggestions and get inspired by the ones you like!

Dispatch a donation invitation

The invitation is a great medium to communicate the bride and groom's wishes. You can include the QR code for the wedding fundraiser. Let guests know directly that you prefer donations to gifts, or use pictograms.

A visualisation of a wedding invitation on which the couple, using pictograms and a qr code, included the message that they preferred donations to a fundraiser rather than gifts. The pictorial message consists of a crossed gift box and an arrow pointing to a QR code leading to the fundraiser.

A welcome donation

The welcome board will attract the attention of almost all wedding guests. This is a great place to put a QR code that links to your fundraiser. If someone hasn't donated, they'll remember to do so now.

A photo of the welcome board on which a qr code leading to the fundraiser has been placed under the word ‘welcome’. The code is in a box with the words ‘scan me’

A kind reminder at mealtimes

You can also place QR codes on tables or vignettes. They can make interesting table decorations thanks to the aesthetic design.

Design of an elegant wedding table stand. The design includes a QR code and the caption ’Join our wedding fundraiser and have fun!’

Donations for music wishes

If you want guests to be able to request songs from the band or DJ playing at your wedding, you can combine such wishes with fundraising. Ask the musicians to check that the guest has donated before playing the requested song. You can agree on a minimum donation in advance. You can also place a QR code for the fundraiser on stage to make it easier for guests to donate. You can check the payments using the donations list or the email confirmations we send automatically to each Donator after the payment.

The solidarity wedding - a charitable trend among couples

"Solidarity weddings” are a growing trend that focuses on social justice and community support as part of a wedding celebration. Couples may choose local artisans or fair trade vendors for their wedding suppliers, or ask guests to donate to a charity instead of giving traditional gifts.

This is why some wedding fundraisers are designed to benefit a charity. This trend is particularly popular with couples who take a practical approach to wedding gifts. Instead of flowers or a few sets of crockery, these couples prefer to have their guests invest their money in helping those in need, like animal shelters or charities.

In the foreground of the photo is a large black dog with a ‘Just Married’ placard hanging around its neck. In the background, the newlyweds can be seen lying on the grass.

Donations during solidarity weddings can take many forms. Some couples ask guests to donate in kind, such as buying dog food instead of flowers. While this form of collection is very noble, it has undeniable drawbacks. The bride and groom should contact the shelter in advance to find out what kind of food the animals need, and then pass this information on to the guests. Sometimes shelter animals have specific dietary needs or intolerances. In addition, some wedding guests may not be aware that some of the pet food advertised is of poor quality and no use to the shelter.

Given these arguments and the logistical difficulties of transporting bags and tins to the reception and then from the wedding hall to the shelter, it is worth considering alternative solutions.

Some couples choose to make a financial donation to their chosen charity. Sometimes they collect the cash in a special cash box. And sometimes they opt for a more convenient way.

Online fundraising is safe and hassle-free. Especially when it is done through a portal that does not charge commission on donations and withdrawals. 4fund.com is just such a portal!

If you are organising a wedding fundraiser, you can use all the tools in the article above. Only the goal and description of the fundraiser will change. You can also organise a fundraiser for an organisation from our catalogue. Once the fundraiser is complete, you can pass the money to the charity of your choice with one click.

Whether you are looking to raise money for the wedding of your dreams or to help those in need, we want to help you with this unique fundraising opportunity. Sign up on 4fund.com and let us make it easy for you to raise money!

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