Amid all the beautiful chaos of wedding planning it can be easy to forget that not every day is filled with romance and roses, so we love any opportunity to support causes that help those in need both near and far. And with The Good Beginning, it doesn’t get any easier. Founded by wedding planner Beth Helmstetter, The Good Beginning is an online charitable donation registry program. Beth’s giving us the 411 and even sharing some of her favorite sustainable and stylish picks for your home – pretty fab, huh?
Beth Helmstetter, one of our go-to wedding planners and owner of Beth Helmstetter Events, recently launched The Good Beginning; an online wedding registry for charitable causes around the world. In addition to (or in lieu of) classic china and luxurious cotton sheets, couples can invite their guests to join them in supporting a worthy charity and start their marriage out with the ritual of generosity.
“I’ve always felt strongly connected to philanthropy, having spent much of my early career in the nonprofit world. After visiting Haiti following the 2010 earthquakes, I felt compelled to connect my couples with charitable causes that would impact the world around them in a very significant way. I soon found out that many other couples shared the same desire to give back,” says Beth.
The Good Beginning streamlines the giving process by allowing couples to choose from over 130 organizations, both in the United States and in developing countries. From well-known names to smaller specialized efforts, couples can select a cause that is meaningful to them. .
Couples register for their wedding just like they would with a traditional retail registry by selecting an organization or by adding a new charity. From there, the couple is given a personal domain name to their registry that can be shared with guests. The clean and stylish interface invites visitors to browse their profile, learn more about various causes, and contribute easily. The Good Beginning makes the perfect complement to a more traditional wedding registry, for those couples who may not need the top-of-the-line espresso maker, and are seeking a way to donate those extra funds to a worthy cause.
In addition to sharing The Good Beginning with SMP, Beth has curated a list of her favorite stylish and ethically manufactured goods below! Check out The Good Beginning’s blog, The Daily Give, for more even more inspiration and to learn about starting your charitable wedding registry today.
KITCHEN
Halston Espresso Cups by Arran Street East, available on The Citizenry
Handcrafted in Ireland, each of these ceramic cups takes several days to throw, fire, and glaze – all made start to finish in a fair trade environment.
Apasco 5-Piece Mezcal Set by Xaquixe Glass Studio, available on The Citizenry
Handcrafted by a studio of 19 glassblowers, each piece is a one-of-a-kind work of art made from recycled glass. Each piece is tediously tended to in a Oaxacan glassblowing workshop employing a truly sustainable manufacturing process, including ovens powered by recycled oil.
Alabama Chanin Wooden Spoons
Made in Alabama from sustainably-harvested wood from South America, these wooden spoons are built to last many a dinner party or quiet meal for two.
LIVING
Estrada Floor Pillow by Mexchic Design Studio, available on The Citizenry
Perfect for creating a warm and inviting holiday home, these pillows are made by a family-owned workshop in Tianguistenco de Galeana, Mexico and are created from start-to-finish in a fair trade environment.
La Piedra Coasters by The Peca Design Studio, available on The Citizenry
For cocktails shared in good company, we love these starry, marble coasters made of volcanic rock in Tonalá, Guadalajara. In partnership with a small, fair-trade stone masonry in Mexico City, these coasters make for a great complement to a classic glassware set for the bride and groom.
BEDROOM
Mayarte Throw by Ara Collective
This handwoven throw will help keep couples cozy as the seasons change. For every throw purchased, Ara Collective donates 10% of the proceeds to education and health care for the artisans and families of Aid to Artisans Group; a network of artisan weavers and embroidered in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas.
Sama Basket by Local & Lejos
Marriage means twice of everything – store it all in this beautiful naturally-dyed grass basket from Tanzania by the Weavers of Babati. Each purchase provides the artisan and her family with water for one month.
Parachute Home Venice Linen Duvet Cover
Create a sanctuary with flax linen fabrics from Parachute Home, made in Portugal and free of synthetics and chemicals. Partnering with the United Nation’s Nothing But Nets campaign to prevent malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, Parachute sends one life-saving bed net to people in need for every Venice Set sold.
The Complete Bride + Groom’s Guide to Wedding Registries
SMP’s Wedding Registry ABCs | Unique Wedding Registry Ideas | 10 Must-Have Registry Items
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