There’s no denying that in today’s world weddings can cost an arm and a leg. But then, weddings have a lifelong significance and therefore many justify breaking the bank to celebrate.

Souvenirs, or as they are referred to in some countries, wedding favours, might not be one of the highest costs on the list of wedding expenses. They are however high on the list of headaches when it comes to deciding what kind to choose.

Here’s an original way of saving yourself the hassle of choosing the perfect souvenir and making your big day count even more by giving away meaningful, eco-friendly souvenirs that your guests will surly appreciate.

The custom of donating to charity as an alternative to wedding souvenirs might still be new to Malta, but over the past few years it’s been steadily gaining popularity.

Inspire, the foundation for inclusion which offers therapeutic, education and leisure services to many persons with disabilities, facilitates this good gesture by providing couples with wedding thank you cards to distribute to guests.

In this way, family and friends are kept informed about the good deed and still have something to take home with them as a memory of your big day. A spokesperson from Inspire explains that when deciding to go for a charitable donation as an alternative to souvenirs, it is very important to choose the charity carefully.

“Opting for controversial donations like religious or political causes is not ideal. In order to ensure that your guests don’t feel cheated, the charity chosen needs to be one which the majority are likely to approve of, or which the couple or their families have some form of affiliation to.”

The thank you cards, such as those provided by Inspire, make it possible for the couple to be as discreet about their decision as possible. The cards give a full explanation so that neither the bride nor groom need to make public announcements. This also helps them to avoid having to plaster signs around the wedding reception hall, which could risk turning the event into what looks like a fundraiser.

Donating to charity is always a great way to consolidate your joy

But what if you’re already married, or don’t intend to get married in the near future? This gesture is ideal for whatever the occasion – whether it’s your anniversary, birthday, a christening or any other type of celebration, donating to charity is always a great way to consolidate your joy and to honour your guests for their presence and love.

Inspire also offers thank you cards open for all occasions. So if you’re getting married, celebrate with a bang and make a long-lasting difference to the lives of children with disabilities all over Malta.

For more information contact Inspire on 2189 0000 or e-mail fundraising@inspire.org.mt.

A generous invitation

“For our wedding we decided to give a donation to Inspire as a souvenir. The idea was not to spend money on gifts and objects that would most probably end up in some drawer or thrown away, and as an alternative to share the joy of our big day with people in need and the organisation that supports them.

“By giving out the thank you cards that Inspire provided us with, we honoured our guests and reminded everyone about the importance of thinking of others. We definitely encourage other individuals who are organising any kind of event to do the same because it is highly satisfying as helping others always is.”

Alistair and Clarisse Schembri

“When we were planning our 40th wedding anniversary celebration, we preferred to make somebody happy, rather than receive gifts from our guests. Knowing that Inspire is one of the leading organisations in providing assistance to those in need, we decided to ask our guests for a donation to Inspire. Our guests agreed with pleasure to this arrangement and at the end of the celebration, with the collaboration of our guests, we were able to pass on a generous donation to Inspire.

“We hope that other couples will follow our example so that Inspire may continue on its noble mission.”

Vincent and Ċettina Gauci