Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
Uncover the risks and motivations behind wedding donation requests. Understand why some couples seek cash donations instead of spending their own money.
Asking Strangers For Wedding Donations
Why, oh, why are some couples in such a rush to get married?
I recently stumbled upon a few wanted ads on a popular buy-and-sell group where someone was asking for wedding donations.
Along with the request for cash, this person offered an address so that strangers could stop by with the money.
Porch drop-off only, I bet.
Money has many faces, and those looking for it by typing ‘Money Wanted Ads’ risk putting themselves in danger when strangers are invited to drop off cash.
Consider that this couple has money and doesn’t want to use it.
They could test the online waters to see how many people would give them money.
However, this can be a horrible situation, so don’t put it past anyone to scoop up cash from generous people for other reasons than what was explained.
On the other hand, the couple could be broke and need wedding donations so they can walk down the aisle with little to no debt.
If that’s the case, you’re not financially ready to get married yet.
Who came up with wedding donations anyway?
How cool would it be to get married solely on strangers’ wedding donations?
Meh, you have to live with it, not me.
If you think some stranger online will visit your house to drop off their money, you have serious financial problems to work through.
Granted, I’m sure a few odd people out there have more money than brains.
That or they easily fall prey to nonsense and sob stories, asking for funds unnecessarily.
Marriage is not about soliciting wedding donations. It is about a man and woman becoming life partners.
Somewhere along the line, this world has gone money asking for donations for almost everything.
I get that it’s a great way to help people.
However, we survived with whatever we could get from community organizations, working a second job, and some financial planning.
This is the new age of street begging gone viral.
While I agree that some people tell the truth, others try to save a buck or ‘get rich quickly.’
Rich could be anywhere from $1 to thousands for people with little to nothing.
Wedding Donations Through GoFundMe
GoFundMe, a popular website, is like an ATM that spits out free money.
It’s your choice to donate, but remember, once it’s gone, it’s gone.
- My cat is sick, and I need money
- I didn’t have insurance, my house burnt down, and need cash fast
- I lost my job and need money donations to feed my family
- My wife left me and emptied the bank account. Can anyone help?
- Sympathy stories that are way out there go on and on if you search online websites that cater to money donations.
How To Host A Frugal Wedding
Weddings have become a fad and a costly one that can affect future financial dealings if there’s debt involved.
Unless we change our mindset that we are entitled to lavish weddings, we only ask for more financial trouble.
Recently, our friends got married to the Justice of the Peace at City Hall for a small fee.
Since it was their second marriage and with the debt of a new house and feeding many hungry mouths, they went the frugal route.
It may not be what they wanted, but it was perfect for them.
After the wedding, the bride’s parents put on a substantial Greek dinner for all the guests at their house outside and in the garage.
From what we could see, it was decorated nicely yet simple.
Making Sense Of A Wedding Budget
You plan your wedding around the money you have saved and budgeted for. That’s it.
There’s nothing wrong with having a frugal wedding like we did; however, we paid for our wedding from savings we had set aside over the years.
Although we didn’t have a wedding budget due to the time frame and situation with me living in the UK, we had money in our savings account.
There would be no way we’d ask for wedding donations to call ourselves spouses.
It may be more than a piece of paper to some people, but there’s no rush to get married.
Even then, getting married to see each other is a BAD idea.
It has to be correct and not send you into forever debt.
Suppose you want a wedding that will cost money you don’t have, so you must set up a wedding budget and fund it yourself.
Marry When You Save The Money
Relying on parents, family members, and strangers on the internet to fund your wedding is absurd.
It’s your wedding.
In some cultures, yes, the wedding is paid for, but to ‘expect’ it is just silly.
Related: Did you go overboard on your wedding day?
When Mrs. CBB and I got married, we spent around $1000.
We did not have a lavish wedding; our flowers were even home-grown and potted.
The living room was our church, and the fireplace was ouriance, along with 12 or so guests to witness our joining of marriage.
All decorations were either bought at a discount or found at second-hand shops.
Wedding attire was from a second-hand shop, and Mrs. CBB purchased a lovely dress from a department store.
Our wedding reception was a buffet in a private room of a local Chinese restaurant.
Related: How to have the wedding of your dreams and still be frugal
The best damn wedding we could have asked for.
It was simple, we remember it, and there was little to no stress involved like a large traditional wedding.
This was our choice even though my family couldn’t come to Canada to participate.
I’m almost sure it would be just as absurd if they asked me to fund their trip to participate in our wedding as it does asking for wedding donations.
You Can’t Have All The Wedding Bells Without Cash
Sometimes, we have to do without because we can’t afford it.
Stop telling yourself that you will pay for it later, too. O. M. G. seriously considers your monthly budget, savings, and goals.
If you have debt up your arse and are just scraping by paying bills and rent, then why on earth would you get married?
You won’t pay back the wedding bills in a timely fashion, and you know it.
The costs for your wedding may seem frugal at the time, but add in years of debt repayment with interest, and you’re on an extraordinary level.
Think. About. Your. Money
We’ve already established that saving money is the best way to fund your wedding.
Ideally, you’d want to set up a honeymoon budget if you have grand plans for a honeymoon.
Instead of asking people to Fund My Wedding, try finding other ways to save and be frugal.
Ideas To Generate Wedding Donations Instead Of Gifts
Instead of having a wedding registry, it is not uncommon for couples to set up a cash gift registry or ask for a cash wedding gift in their wedding invitations.
Most couples would rather have the cash to put towards any wedding financial shortcomings from the final wedding bill.
The money could also be used to pay in part for a honeymoon, but it should never be expected. Always do what you must so you do not rely on anybody financially.
Anything you get is a bonus, then, and you won’t be disappointed if you do get 2 or 3 toasters.
Another great way to raise money is by hosting a Buck and Doe.
However, some upfront fees may include hall rental (unless you have a place large enough), liquor license, tickets, food, and prizes.
Although many businesses don’t mind free advertising, you don’t need to ask for donations for your stag and doe.
Related: Couple cancels wedding and spends $3000 made from Stag and Doe on debt repayment
Suppose you plan to approach people you know who have a business first and then see if they know anyone else who might be interested.
This is more about networking than anything, but never expect anything for the wrong reasons.
Other than advertising or family and friend prize donations, that’s about as far as you should go.
Obtaining Financial Help For Your Wedding
Don’t be afraid to do homework about learning about weddings and finding out what you can and can’t afford.
You likely won’t hire a wedding planner unless you know one who will do it for free.
They don’t come cheap.
There’s nothing wrong with talking to other couples about their wedding wins and failures, and most likely, they will offer you plenty of tips.
Be prepared to ask for help with the wedding, and they will give it to you.
Just remember that it’s your wedding, and asking for money donations from strangers is a bit out there, but it happens, and sometimes for all the wrong reasons.
Step By Step.. that’s how marriages should go.
Getting married is beautiful, but the bills will be there once you wake up the following day, and life continues.
If you don’t want a debt-filled start to your marriage due to your wedding expenses, I suggest saving money first.
Don’t ask strangers for wedding donations either, you don’t need it to get a piece of paper that says, “You’re Married”.
Afford what your budget tells you you can afford, or hold off on the wedding until you’ve saved everything you need.
Imagine the freedom.
Discussion Question: Would you ask strangers online to help pay for your wedding?
Leave me a comment below, and I’ll respond to it.
Mr.CBB
Another Week At The CBB House
I’ve been super busy this week, including fall cleaning in and outside the house.
Besides sulking that my truck was too big to fit in the garage, I cleaned it all out and rearranged my cabinets and work table for the better.
This past week, we’ve been to a local pumpkin farm with our little guy, which has become our family tradition.
All I have to say is that he slept the entire ride home. He loves it!
We picked up two pumpkins this year and two pumpkin pie pumpkins that will be made into something delicious.
BREAKING NEWS: We’ve decided to make a significant financial decision that will take money away from us, but we know it’s the right thing to do.
Stay tuned for more on this as it unfolds.
We made pumpkin spice ice cream this week, which turned out great. I’m not a huge pumpkin fan.
I finally set up the bunk beds, ordered all the bedding and necessities, and made the beds.
Our son loves the beds but does not want to sleep in them yet.
We will likely sleep on the bottom bunk until he’s used to it. I’m not sure yet.
I may have to do some research on this first. Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks for understanding my MIA for a bit, but all is well now with the CBB family and extended family.
That’s all for this week,
Mr.CBB
CBB Published Posts
If you have a question that you would like to ask me, fill out the Contact Mr.CBB form on the blog home page, and I’ll do my best to reply to each question.
Top Post This Week: How Much Should My Grocery Budget Be?
- What’s Your Sign? Mine is Debt Free – Our September 2017 Budget Update
- Easy Meal Prep Ideas For Healthy Living
- Fresh Cherry Tomato Soup with Brie Cheese
Top Finance Weekly Read
I stumbled upon a post titled Freedom is Groovy that they were going to share ten signs that we were financially kicking ass.
Find out and let me know if there are areas you can improve on.
Out of the entire list, number 10 stuck out the most.
During this debt-free journey, I’ve learned that a simple family and work-life balance is best.
I no longer want it all, nor do I need a big house to live in with my family.
Fan Brag Of The Week
Please send me your brag to canadianbudgetbinder@yahoo.ca.
Whether posted on CBB or not, every brag gets an entry into a yearly draw for gift cards or cash!!! It’s that easy.
Hey Mr.CBB,
It’s a beautiful day, but there aren’t usually many garage sales this late in the season.
However, I found several today.
- Two kids sweaters (gap and Firefly), track pants (H&M), sandals, neck pillow, diapers $6 (asking was $8)
- Microphone $1 (asking was $2)
- Children’s large world map $1 (asking was $2)
- Roots sweater (ladies) $2 (asking was $5)
- New work gloves $2
- Herschel bags (3) – Free
Total spent: $12
Thanks Jen Peacock.
CBB Words of Wisdom
Top Recipe
Mrs. CBB and I are substantial soup fans, and come winter, we are constantly creating new flavors in the crock pot or stovetop.
The key to a heartwarming bowl of soup for us is flavor and filling.
A soup should be eaten like a meal unless you’d rather have it as an appetizer for a meal than keep it on the lighter side.
This Winter Detox Moroccan Sweet Potato Soup made by Marzia over at The Little Spice Jar looks right up my alley.
I’m going to make a pot of this soup.
Frugal DIY/Crafts Weekly
Nicole and Bianca at Cute DIY Projects have this Halloween craft they call Mini Pumpkins, made from tissue paper and then stuffed with treats.
I’m excited to try this craft with our son and to hand them out to the trick-or-treaters this Halloween. Great idea.
Saturday Search Term Giggles
Always begin and end your day with a SMILE!- Mr.CBB
Every week, I get tens of thousands of people visiting Canadian Budget Binder because they did a search online and found my blog. (SIC) This means I’ve copied the text exactly, but it has spelling errors.
Most times funny, Sometimes serious.
- Ontario Store Scan Credit– Haha, this is a new one. This is The Scanning Code of Practice.
- The impact of downsizing a house on teens– As long as you don’t downsize on top of them, you’ll be acceptable. They will get over it. Life goes on. Just explain to them the reasons why.
- How to teach your husband a lesson about credit card debt– Dude, you’re in trouble, mate. I hope you learn something.
That’s all the fun for this week, thanks for dropping by and we’ll see you all again next Saturday.
Mr.CBB
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