While many wedding retailers and service providers are already a part of this trend, others are just beginning to consider how they can incorporate a charitable focus into their work. Nonprofit organizations, media groups, religious organizations - individuals in all of these sectors are helping couples make a positive social impact through their weddings.

This online newsletter has been developed as a forum for people interested in the intersection between weddings, community, and philanthropy. Each bi-monthly issue will include:
*In Focus: A short essay on a new aspect of charitable wedding practices
*Industry Leader: A company or person working within the wedding industry to promote charitable weddings
*Links: Places to learn more about charitable weddings
*Nonprofit Spotlight: A special focus on nonprofit groups couples may want to support
*Couple Profile: Real stories of couples bringing a charitable focus to their weddings

One of the fastest growing trends for the 2003 bridal season has couples thinking outside of the gift box, literally. Increasingly, engaged couples are looking for ways to bring a social focus to their weddings so that as they share their commitment to each other, they give back to their community.

Couples around the country are incorporating a special social focus into their weddings in ways that reflect their own values and the traditions they plan to establish as a family. Some examples of what couples are already doing:
*Donating leftover food to food banks
*Printing invitations on recycled paper
*Using organically grown flowers in their ceremonies
*Making a donation in place of favors
*Incorporating a service project as part of an engagement party or shower

CWN: How have you observed the wedding industry incorporating a more socially conscious focus?

RB: The biggest change factor, at least here in the New York area, has been 9/11. Since that date, there has been a greater emphasis on family, friends, and the intimacy of the gathering. There also is more of an effort for couples to make their wedding, and all its associated events, more genuine and sincere, as opposed to being swept away by simply trying to have the "biggest, best, grandest" wedding. And in general, since that date, more people are willing to extend a hand to others and to be more giving in their lives and in their charitable efforts. This has extended to the wedding itself, in that brides and grooms are more willing to consider making charitable donations in lieu of gifts and favors.

CWN: How does Manhattan Bride embrace the idea of charitably focused weddings?

RB: In our opening "Something Old, Something New" section, almost every issue presents ideas for charitable favors, gifts, etc., that the couple can incorporate into their wedding. But beyond that, we embrace a "charitably focused relationship" for our married couples. Our theme is simple, and revealed in the subtitle that we always run: "Extend your love to others, and watch it grow."

I created Manhattan Bride as a magazine about "commitment," but I define that commitment as more extensive than what the bride and groom have for each other. I feel strongly that if the bride and groom create a union that is "charitably focused" -- able to reach out and nurture first each other, and then the widest possible circle of friends and family -- they will strengthen and greatly enrich their own relationship.

NCFL's vision maintains that all families at the lowest ends of the literacy and economic spectrum have opportunities to improve their education, economic status, and social well being through family literacy programs.

In Their Own Words: "We know that the family is the strongest element in shaping lives. It's where the cycle of learning begins, where parents' attitudes about learning become the educational values of their children. The National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) is devoted to helping families overcome educational challenges of poverty through family literacy."

To help bring a social focus to their wedding, Gwen and Chett have registered through the I Do Foundation with Linens 'N Things, where a percentage of every dollar spent on their gifts will be donated to charity. In addition to their gift registry, the couple is also suggesting that guests make donations to a local nonprofit agency.

"We know that our family and friends want to buy presents to celebrate our marriage," said Gwen, 31. "If we're still going to get stuff, we want there to be some sort of social benefit to it."

In addition to registering for gifts that will benefit a social cause, Gwen and Chett are also looking at ways to make their wedding more environmentally friendly. Invitations made from recycled paper are already on the to-do list; Gwen is also checking out the possibility of using organic flowers - grown without pesticides.

"Weddings are always a reflection of the couple," Gwen said. "We want our wedding to reflect our values and what is important to us."

I Do Foundation
The I Do Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, whose mission is to bring a charitable focus to special life events. The Foundation helps engaged couples raise charitable wedding donations through three channels:

Gift Registry: When couples register with our partners-including Target, Linens 'N Things and Amazon.com-up to 8% of all spending is donated.
Travel: The I Do Foundation's partner, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, donates 5% of all honeymoon packages and 4% of guest hotel lodging purchases.
Donation Registry: With our flexible Donation Registry, guests can make a donation directly to charity in place of, or in addition to, traditional gifts.