Wedding Blog
Rebecca recently contacted me because she wanted to bounce some ideas off our readers for a really great cause. She’s travelling to Cambodia for a month this fall and is trying to help a local organization called Daughters Cambodia in Phnom Penh, a day center for girls working in brothels, that provides access to showers, basic hygiene, and some form of vocational training. So she’s been trying to think of something to teach the girls which could lead to a small income, and eventually get them out of these lives and onto better things.
Recently Mrs. Plum posted about her bridesmaids’ silk sashes, and Rebecca thought that this was something simple that the girls could learn to make. She’d donate sewing machines to the facility and they have access to great silk in the local markets. Rebecca would then sell these online at her site, with all the profits going back to the girls. She was also thinking about silk shawls or small silk envelope style handbags.
This is a great cause so it’d be really helpful if you could let her know whether you’d purchase something like this, and how much you’d be willing to pay. Any other feedback or suggestions you have is greatly appreciated. 
Rebecca is also working with an organization called Life & Hope to collect funds to buy school supplies ($9 puts a child into school for a year) for children in Cambodia whose parents cannot afford the supplies required to attend. You can read more about that here.
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Share this post: Daughters Cambodia in Phnom Penh
YES! I would definitely buy sashes from them. Other great ideas would be silk shawls, pillow cases, bedding, table runners, table cloth, jewelry rolls, or silk pocketfolds for invites.
I would buy them number one because it is a great cause. And number two, stores charge a ridiculous amount for sashes anyways, so I would feel MUCH better knowing I was putting my money to a good cause. Great idea Rebecca.
I would certainly purchase something like that. I have not priced sashes yet, so I am not sure what I would pay. I have done a lot of fundraising for charity and for me it always helps to define how much money goes to the charity. For example even though it says 100% proceeds, I like to know $10 goes directly to the charity after overhead costs are subtracted. Handbags and shawls sound great too. Good idea!
Yes! I would definitely buy a sash from them!
If we are sticking to the wedding theme, what about ring bearer pillows, sashes for flowergirls, bags for bridesmaid gifts, OOT bags….
I’m sure the list could go on!
But for sure I’d be interested in this!
I would totally buy one!!! Um for prices maybe like $15-25
Absolutely! I would be interested in buying any of my wedding-related supplies from her - what a great cause!!
As for price, I haven’t researched it yet. But I’d be glad to pay whatever is typical… or even a little more. Great idea, Rebecca!
I would most definitely purchase a sash or a clutch (the clutch is a great idea) from a cause like this. I purchased a Vu Couture sash for my dress. Regular price for the sash was $90, which I wouldn’t have been able to afford if not for a February sale. They were offering 50% of all accessories, so my sash was $45 (a steal for the amazing quality). I didn’t purchase a matching clutch from Vu, because even with 50% off, a very simple clutch was around $75.
For a cause like this (knowing my purchase was helping someone on the other end), I’d easily pay $50-80 for a sash. I’d pay more than $60 for a clutch, esp. one with cute detailing.
I hope this helps.
I’m traveling to Cambodia (and Vietnam) for my honeymoon, so this cause already hits home and will even more so once I return.
Mazel Tov!
I think this is a great idea. I especially love the idea of sashes and raw silk shawls. If the sashes could come in various widths, ie 2″, 4″, 6″, then they could be used as bridal sashes or for bridesmaid dresses. I would pay $25 for the skinnier ones and up to $50 for a raw silk thicker one.
I loved working with Rebecca at white aisle and it’s go great that they can incorporate something so wonderful as this. I would definitely purchase a sash or anything.
definitely, i’d buy them! great cause indeed. as for price, how about listing the minimum purchase price but allow buyers to enter a higher price/pay more if they’re able…that way, they can donate and make a purchase all at one time.
Love this idea! I would keep it simple and start with the sashes for now, then add other products later if needed. I would pay $40 per sash. There could be smaller sashes for flower girls and longer ones for the brides.
I’m breaking my own rule here and posting on a message board (technically a vendor), however I just really wanted to say thank you to everyone that has taken the time to read and reply to this post, and to Mrs. Bee who was kind enough to help us out with writing this. Your comments are all so helpful, and I can’t wait to take them all with me to Daughters so that we can come up with a final product.
We will start with the sashes and continue on from there. The ideas of ring pillows and clutches are fantastic! The candid price comments are something we really needed, so I appreciate everyone’s input. Hopefully this will make a great impact on the lives of these young women. I’ll send updates and photos this November once we get to Phnom Penh! Thanks again!!!!
This is such a good idea! I would buy something like that for sure. If I knew the money was going to a good cause, I would pay up to $30 for a sash and $60 for a shawl.
In fact, I am getting shawls for my bridesmaids from a similar organization called WEAVE (http://www.weave-women.org/). I’ve been meaning to blog about it but I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. You should look at what they do and maybe ask them for some advice.
This sounds wonderful! Mrs. Bee, please let us know when the site is up and running!
unfortunately, i dont think i’ll be needing any type of sash for my bm gowns, but i would def do something like this if i did! i think the clutches/handbags are a good idea b/c they will be something useful for more than just weddings and special occasions. maybe i could get clutches for bm gifts too. i’m on the poor side myself so i’m not sure what would be a good price range. maybe $20-40ish?
That is such a wonderful idea! I would gladly pay about $15-25, maybe more knowing that it’s going to a great cause.
I am based in Europe I sell shawls from women’s groups from all over the world I would be very interested in making contact with you please .
Please email as soon as possible
Hi Sarah,
I’d love to get in touch. My email address: rebecca@whiteaisle.com.
Hope to hear from you soon.
I would like to second the idea of table runners– a hard-to-find for rental wedding item (at least in Ohio) and I think $10-$25 would be reasonable, depending on the width and length. Especially since they would typically be bought in bulk.
this is an awesome idea. i’m really excited about someone who is going to do this! plus, khmer (cambodian) silk is really beautiful- the quality of the sashes they make will be really great!
for myself, i think i would pay up to $20-25 for a sash. someone already mentioned it above- having different price brackets would be a good idea. some silks are more expensive than others, so the finer quality silk could be sold at higher prices since the fabric will cost more.
also, i would highly recommend going shopping for fabrics with someone who is local - there one particular ‘mall’ in phnom penh known for their variety of silk- its filled with stalls and stalls of fabric, and you can just bargain away!
please keep us updated on your project. ! =D
[...] one of the creative minds behind White Aisle, was planning on visiting Cambodia in the fall and asked the readers of Weddingbee what they thought about the idea of teaching the girls to create shawls or sashes out [...]
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Mrs. Bee, New York
Age and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee Publisher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Internet
Engagement Date: May 7, 2004
Wedding Date: March 5, 2005
Venue: Westside Loft, New York
About Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
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