When planning a wedding, couples have three options to choose from…

1. Rather than traditional wedding favours like candied almonds, the couple can make a donation to support patient care, education or research.
2. The couple can choose either place cards or display a certificate to inform their guest a donation has been made in their honour. Place cards are sold in packages of 25 for $25. Certificates are $150.
3. Couples can customize a personalize wedding page online to ask their guests to make a donation in lieu of gifts.

How to celebrate your love story by giving back

The program, in its infancy, averages 10 wedding celebrations a year in support of LHSC to date. But the goal is to increase this number significantly over the next couple of years. “It’s a great opportunity to make a difference in patients’ lives who are in need of care at our hospital.”

The first step is for brides and grooms to connect with Shannon and her team through phone and email to get hooked up with the program.

Certificates and/or place cards are provided by LHSF to allow couples to notify their guests that a donation has been made. According to Shannon, this is typically done in lieu of wedding favours. Couples can then donate easily and securely online or they can collect pledges through an online wedding donation page. “Most couples choose to honour a loved one who has received care at LHSC,” says Shannon. “Someone who has had an experience with LHSC, whether personal or through a family or friend and is looking to make a difference for future patients.”