donation to the church?

I've been to weddings where they passed around the collection plate as part of the ceremony. There was no announcement beforehand as it's usually not needed, just the regular, "we will no take our offering for God's work". No one noticed who did and did not put money in the plate, no one mentioned it later (that I recall), it just got passed around like a normal Sunday service. If you're from a community of church-goers, which you seem to be, they won't be surprised or offended at the passing of the plate, don't worry! I would say make it part of the ceremony and don't draw excess attention to it and you won't have a problem. I think your pastor would find it very generous of you and your fiance to include a tithe as part of the ceremony. And no one says anyone has to put anything in the platee, but as you know, some people will be compelled (I know I tithe whatever I can when I see this done!).

Good luck!!!

I'm a very devote Christian, pay tithes, been in church leadership, the whole bit. So please listen to me on this one.

If I were a guest at a wedding and the bride mentioned that donations were acceptable, I would feel very uncomfortable. A wedding is not a fund raising event for a church.

I realize that is not what you mean to be doing and you obviously love your church and pastor. However, it is not appropriate to do what you're considering. These people are your guests;, whether or not the wedding is small or large, whether or not they are family or friends. This is not a chance for solicitation and should never be treated as such.

No one is stupid. We all know that churches have to have money to operate. But, this is not appropriate behavior for a wedding. IF however, I went to a wedding, and felt that God wanted me to donate something to the host church for whatever reason, I would gladly get out my checkbook and write a check. But sometimes, our good hearts try to take care of things instead of letting God take care of it. And when we do, we usually mess things up tremendously. I've certainly been there a few times.

Let it go. Donate your money, continue to pray for your church and pastor. In fact, you do need to give the pastor an honorarium for his services. Then let it alone.

I wish you the best. You sound like an awesome young lady with a good heart.

Well this can be a touchy subject, I would recommend only asking at the rehearsal since only family and the bridal party will be there. Otherwise No don't ask any one to donate some people might get offended (non belivers). As far as when to give the money the best man is supposed to deliver it after the wedding.

You could always put a basket or Money tree at your reception or decorated mason jars on the tables and charge guests for a kiss, then what you decide to do with this either put it towards your honeymoon or donate it to a cause is up to you.

Congratulations, I hope you have a magical day!

I have no idea what these other people are talking about....but if you're compelled with the idea of asking for a donation for the church there is a reason for that! My friend had the church praise team perform at her wedding..and then later we passed the collection plate for a donation for the praise team....SAME thing! I totally understand where you are coming from and it already sounds like something that God laid on your heart so go for it. I'd ask at the rehearsal dinner...then I'd give it to the Pastor before ceremony. Personally..I'm doing the same thing...My church charges nothing...yet..i'm using the hall, chapel, lighting.

A church expects about $50-$100...and are very understanding when couples pay for their own wedding

YOU WILL be receiving lots of $$$ gifts without having to ask. I wouldn't ask...I would just wait & see because all those cards you're going to see on the gift table will have cash in them!

Asking for $$$ before the wedding will decrease those gifts! (and is likely to offend SOMEbody!)

BTW - get a guard for that gift table - some people know this & get sticky fingers (horrible but true)

I do not think you should ask them They know the church can use money and they will donate if they wish to without you asking. I think it is unfair pressure to ask as part of your wedding .

i like this idea..idk what emilee was talking about but by reading i know what you are talking about it its hard for me to understand how she came to that conclusion that you were having people pay?? wtf? i dont see how people would persieve a donation church basket as a wedding donation basket??

how about when guests first arrive at the church have a donation basket, but make it out in the open so people will know what its for and not hidden in a corner.. you can have a sign next to it that says something like

"donations to church" or something..or whoever might be in charge of the guest book sign in then they can say if people would like to make donations to the church you can place the donation money in the basket.

If they want to donate to the church and waste their money, they will on their own time. You're being pretty selfish and putting people on the spot making them feel like they have to.

And I'm pretty sure the workers of the church don't need another Hawaii vacation THAT badly.

And you spelled "rehearsal" wrong. You sure you were old enough to get married? Those stupid religions these days get stricter and stricter telling you how to live your life and how you can't.

You could have a basket by the guest book and just say "If you feel called to make a freewill donation to this ministry, please place here"

And I would put them in an envelope with your donation and send it to them the week after the wedding-put a family member in charge of dropping that in the mailbox while you guys are on your honeymoon.

Don't ask anyone else to give to the church. this is your wedding and you shouldn't ask people to help pay for it. The best man gives the preacher the money before or after the ceremony.

EDIT: I'm not saying you didn't pay for the wedding yourself, but people will perceive it that way.