Wedding Fundraising

I wouldnt call this wedding fundraising. Just tell people you are having a bake sale or selling dinners. What you choose to do with money from your side hustle is no one elses business but you and your FH.

ETA: Ppl take on side or 2nd jobs all the time to help pay for weddings. Im sure they dont walk into the employer and say that. You are not asking for money. You are selling a product/food/service.

Its just a bake sale~ Nothing wrong with a bake sale~ If you were in my state I would stop by. Who doesn't love bake sales!

I wouldn't call this fundraising either. Just say it's a bake sale and that's it. No need to say you are trying to make some extra money for you wedding. It's not like you are starting a go fund me or asking people to donate to your wedding.

Why not sign up to be an uber or lyft driver or something like that instead?

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This is what FH and I did and it's been the best decision.

My thoughts are that you should spend the time you would "fundraising" getting another job. Fundraising for your wedding is just inappropriate IMO.

"Fundraising" should be reserved for actual causes. If I saw a bakesale "fundraiser" for a wedding I would walk right by it. Just call it a bake sale. Who knows, maybe an actual long term side business can come out of it. But please don't call it a fundraiser when there is people fundraising for cancer, animal shelters, kids's sports teams, ALS, survivors of domestic violence... I mean, I hope you get the point as to why people may find it distasteful to call it a fundraiser.

Yeah, I agree starting a small side-business (like selling pre-made meals) or getting a second job are probably your best strategies. The only thing to consider is that it's almost certain there are laws and licensing requirements related to starting a small business, especially selling food items (and, liability...what if someone becomes ill and blames it on you and attempts to sue you...). Doing a "fundraiser" for your wedding (even if you're actually providing goods/services) isn't likely to go well. I'd seriously think through the pros and cons of trying to start a business (which might not be as profitable as you hope -- remember, "it takes $ to make $ ) or just picking up a part-time job. Good luck!

My thoughts are there’s a million ways to save/have a low budget wedding and “fundraising” should never be one of the ways.

I wouldn’t refer to it as wedding fundraising but simply as a way of bringing in extra income

I took on a side job at Things Remembered in the local mall because I wanted to have some extra money for the wedding, but also I wanted the employee discount on items that I was going to purchase anyway. My Husband thought it was a great idea and I paid for our honeymoon with my seasonal earnings. They liked me so now I'm a regular employee still working there till June when we have our big celebration, and move to Wisconsin.

I think having a second job is a great idea to earn money for your wedding but, I wouldn't call it a fundraiser though as that seems a bit disingenuous. Most people think fundraisers are for charity, church groups, sports teams, etc. and wouldn't consider a wedding amongst these types of groups. Personally, I wouldn't buy anything/give you money if you marketed this as something for your wedding. You are better off marketing it as a side business and not bring your wedding into it.

Also, have you thought through the logistics of this? In my area, you cannot sell any food products unless it is made in a licensed kitchen by someone with food safe certification. Church bake sales, community cook-offs, etc. are all subject to this same rule. It has really cut down on the number of these events I see being run. Also, will you have insurance? What if someone becomes ill from something you made and they decide to sue you?

How much will the ingredients cost you? How much is your time worth? Consider also, the cost to package the goods and things like transportation/table rental fees. Will you make a profit after you factor these into your sale price?

Also, have you considered how this will impact your taxes? Do you require any special permits?

Honestly, you are probably better off taking on a more traditional second job instead. You will likely earn more money.

Do you all really buy from bake sales without knowing what they're supporting? If I just saw a bake sale, I'd ask what the cause was...

Haha. There are some posts on this forum, when I read them I think, nooooo, I wish I could save you!

The poor unsuspecting poster is just asking a question but you know people will crush their spirits.

I don't see anything wrong with selling baked goods for extra money (what you do with the extra money is no ones business). I am planning on starting a small baking business as well and selling at farmers markets and such, but you still need a license for that depending on your state, so look into that.

The only issue I'd take with this is calling is a fundraiser. A wedding is not worthy of a fundraiser. It is a small side business.

I don't buy from bake sales because Fluffy gets to eat off the counter or people wipe their itchy noses with their finger and don't wash their hands before going back to touching utensils or food... I agree with LB for once, get another job.

I actually work for the state of fl. Anyone who works for the state knows it's not a great paying salary. We also have a 2 year old daughter and working a second job doesn't allow me to be the parent I want to be. Thanks to those who are not judgemental for your helpful comments. And yes it may very well turn into a lucrative business. You have to start from somewhere

Would agree that this is just a side hustle and there is nothing wrong with that. I agree with PPs that "fundraiser" is typically used for a charitable or community event and I would probably be a little turned off by someone marketing it as such when it was really to pay for your wedding - not anything wrong with it technically but I think this could hurt your business from a customer perspective.

Also, I think there are ways you could earn a lot more money that would involve less liability. Uber, Part-Time Retail, Babysitting, Dog Walking/Petsitting, part time administrative work, etc.

Thank you!

Do you know who else gives you money in exchange for services? Employers. Get a second job to save for the wedding, don't lean on your friends/family to "pay" for services they don't really need.

Also, there are tons of health codes to comply with if you want this to turn into a "lucrative business."