Wedding Blog
Yup, turtles. Again. We love ’em — and I did warn you we’d be weaving them throughout our reception.
Several months ago, I spotted this blog post. As the photographer writes, the couple shared a kiss at the reception whenever guests rang a bell — but only if the ringer made a donation to a charity the couple had designated.
Daddy Bruschetta, who will welcome everyone and offer his own brief remarks once our guests are seated for dinner, has agreed to briefly explain the “rules” for our dinner game. We’ll encourage guests to clink their glasses to request we kiss. We won’t comply, though, unless the guest contributes funds to benefit the Wetlands Institute.
Here’s where I need your help and input! I’m still unsure whether we should set a price — $1 per kiss? $2 per kiss? — or leave it open to our guests. If we decide on an amount, will guests participate?
Or will they not want to part with a few greenbacks? Would requiring a specific amount raise more funds or discourage people from joining in the fun? What say you, hive?
Oh, and look at the amazingly adorable “piggy” bank we found. This cute little turtle will sit on our sweetheart table — and it’ll be a useful little money holder after the wedding. (When, um, we have money again!)
Did (or will) you and your new spouse (!) participate in any sort of kissing game as part of your reception?
|
Share this post: Two Turtle Loves
We didn’t have any kissing games, but when glasses were ‘clinked’ for the toasts some people thought they were for a kiss and we were more than happy to oblige 
I love your idea and I’d leave the denomination up to your guests.
PS - You’re soooo close! So excited for you!
I think that’s a perfect idea! Bravo for helping out others on your big day. We didn’t do anything as neat as that, but did kiss when guests clinked glasses as well. I would let the donor determine the price, I think you’d be surprised at how generous people can be.
What a nice idea. I’d say leave the amount open to guests, I think they’d be more generous if an amount is not suggested. Maybe instead of clinking glasses they could ring a little bell or something by the turtle bank. This way they don’t have to clink and get up, or try to clink and walk over to the turtle at the same time..? The big day is right around the corner!!! So exciting!!
Thats a sweet idea! I say make it a dollar! A dollar per kiss is always cute! Like a kissing booth! I love the turtle bank. My MOH loves turtles and I call her daughter (our flower girl) little turtle!
I think $1 per kiss is good. If you leave it open, it might get awkward or feelings might get hurt if people try to out-do each other. Just trying to ward off any potential family drama!
This sounds like a great idea, my family also does the “dollar dance” (pay a dollar to get a short dance with the bride during a specific song) for the couple to get spending money for the honeymoon. Someone could do this to raise some money too! Usually guests pay more than a dollar and its always cute watching the ring bearer get his turn
I LOOOOVE this idea. I hope you’ll forgive me, but I plan to pinch it! Both my FI and I have lost grandparents, other family and close friends to cancer. We had been looking for a way to honor those that can’t be with us and avoid the dreaded thousand clinking glasses issue. This is PERFECT!!! We’ll set up a box dedicated to a cancer charity and photos of our loved one and place a bell next to it. Then, when someone wants us to kiss, they’ll have to walk over, put any denomination in the box and ring the bell. Thank you thank you Miss Bru, you’re brilliant!
i think that’s a wonderful idea! i’d leave the donation amount to the requestor but i think this is great.
I don’t know what your friends and family would go for, but maybe there could be menu for kisses…$1 = cheek kiss $3= peck on lips $5=french kiss. (whatever you want) Maybe people could bid more $$ on you to do sillier (not too scandalous)things like “the groom kiss the bride’s hand and all the way up her arm, to her neck and then lips”
What an amazing idea!!! I think your guests will donate whatever you ask because it’s fun! Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
I’d definitely leave the denomination up to the guests. No need to seem pushy about such a great cause.
I seem to be the lone dissenter, but I’d say.just let people relax and enjoy the evening and not worry about giving money to a cause, albeit a good one.
I always thought the dollar dances were tacky, but this is OK I think… I agree with the other about the amount; let the guest decide. I’m sure you’ll get to do a lot of kissing
Let them decide what they feel comfortable with. I also like the idea of the bidding!
hmm. . .I’m with a.m. on this one. I know it’s a cause you feel passionate about, but some people may be offended that you’re turning your wedding celebration into a fundraiser. Not to be offensive, what you’re doing is admirable, but perhaps some could view it that way.
I also feel that guests may find it offensive that they need to donate to a cause dear to you unless it is also a cause dear to them. Why not try non monetary games?
I agree with jhguba. I know this is a GREAT couse (biologist here), but I feel that a wedding is not the time or the place to do a fundraiser. Some guests may find this offensive. If you really wanted to raise some money, then maybe it would be better to tell everyone to forget the wedding gifts and donate to the charity instead.
I think it sounds like a good idea..and everyone that will be there will be family and good friends so I’m sure they wouldn’t find it offensive…..if it were strangers, maybe.
Our DJ suggested that everytime there is clinking a couple will be called out and whatever kiss they do is what we have to copy. I’m really excited about it because I think it will probably get a little silly =]
I LOVE this idea. If I weren’t married, I’d probably still it. I like the idea of just getting them to donate with no $$ attached. But maybe the more money they give- the juicier a kiss.
Ours was at a golf couse. So we had a little putting green and if they wanted us to kiss they had to make a put. It was very short lived because the kids ruined it.
I LOVE this idea! We’re already doing donations instead of favors to donatelife.org (in memory of my 24 year old cousin) and this would be an awesome idea to get more people to donate to organ donation research and promotion! If you’re not registered - go to http://www.organdonor.gov! Ha! Just had to put in my plug.
I think this is a great idea - I would def donate money to see the bride & groom kiss, especially for a great cause like this!
I think it could really turn into a fun part of the evening, especially if you keep working on making the kisses juicier and more exciting as people donate. They’ll catch on and keep going just to see what you do next!
I love this idea! I would leave the amount up to the guests. Because you could have some guests who donate $1, but I’d guess with the amount open- many will probably donate more
Cute idea! I vote that you leave it up to the guests. That way no one is pressured into anything and they may want to donate more than the amount you determine.
Ring those bells and kiss away!
I think it’s a great idea! But I think the amount should be open to the guests. I would point one thing out though. A friend did “ring a bell for a kiss” at her reception, and so many people rang their bells during dinner, she was hardly able to eat. Hopefully your guests will be a bit more considerate and wait for you to get a few bites in before starting the bell rally.
Great idea. I would go with the idea of it being a dollar a kiss. Its not too big of an amount, and for this reason, sneakily fools people into asking for more kises and giving far more than they otherwise would (Yeah charity!). I would however ask/put a sign up indicating that guests are more than welcome to give a larger donation….but that that wont be rewarded by any full on snogging!
I love this idea! I like Avo’s idea of spicing it up and keeping kisses mysterious haha.
I think it’s a cute idea! Even if people don’t participate, it will raise their awareness about this cause and hopefully it will encourage them to donate/volunteer later on!
I think it’s a great charity, however I think I’d be more willing to play along with something like this if it were for a human cause that hit close to home for the couple, e.g. a groom’s mom had cancer, donations go to Susan G. Komen. I know this charity is important to you, but your guests might not get it.
I think this is a cute idea. I think I’d leave the donation amounts up to the couple. Are you going to spread the word to your guests before the wedding? Because I know I usually bring a little cash to weddings (to tip folks), but never bring my checkbook or larger amounts. I’d probably want to write a check, but wouldn’t be prepared.
Cute idea! I would let the guests determine the amount. Who knows….after some drinky drinks they might be stuffing $20s in there toward the end of the night 
that is so cute! i love that idea and the turtle piggy bank is amazing! i think i’d leave the amount up to the guests, just request that they make a donation!
I think it’s a really great idea!! I would totally donate monies to cute little turtles, especially if it means getting the bride and groom to share more smooches in the process!
What a great idea! I wouldn’t ask for a specific $ amount, just whatever they can give. I know my friends and I would be stuffing that turtle!
Such a cute idea! I agree you should leave the amount open, I bet some people would only donate $1 but others would want to donate more!
i never heard of this donation game but i would totally do it for charity. i love that you’re incorporating that into your wedding and it allows guests to also be a part of something so wonderful!
i have been in a wedding where it was a dancing donation to dance with the bride or groom. donations were up to the guests and it was a huge success.
i think you are wonderful for thinking of others who need our help for such a special day that is supposed to be about you and your future hubs. *HUGS*
what a cute idea! i’d totally do it and agree with avo - make the kisses juicy so people are more inclined to participate.
This is a cute idea! I would definitely leave the amount open because there are very generous people out there who are willing to give more. Another way to raise money for a charity (or even for yourselves) is doing the Dollar Dash. This is where the bride and groom go against each other to “madly dash” around the reception to collect money from the guest before their significant other does. We did this for our wedding and included our MOH and BM to help us- of course the girls won (we had quadruple the amount the boys did!) and we ended up getting over $300!
I think this is a cute and fun idea. If I were a guest at a wedding that had this, I would not feel like it was more of a fundraiser than wedding. I’d happily give up a dollar (or even $5) for a kiss. I do think the lower and simpler you keep it the more your guests will participate. I am sure you will get a few people that will contribute more.
Oh, I think that is such an adorable idea! And I LOVE the turtle bank. What a sweet bride you are, Bru!
Must. Have.Turtle.Bank.
I LOVE turtles, so I think this is such a great cause. I think a “donate what you wish” policy is probably the way to go. This way people won’t feel pressured and can give whatever they’re comfortable with. You’ll still raise money…and every little bit counts.
I think this is really cute!
However, it might be a good idea to not set an actual price per kiss - you wouldn’t want to discourage four people giving quarters, when only one person would give a dollar. If it’s in the name of charity, every little bit helps. I don’t think people would just through a penny or two in - they’ll likely get in the spirit of things, and want to see you kiss a bunch
and for my 2 cents - I think weddings are perfect places to do a fundraiser. Most people unknowingly make their wedding a “fundraiser” to kick-start their married lives. You’re just choosing to use the money in a different way.
When else will you be able to corral this many people, especially this many people in a good mood?
Sounds like a great dea to me! I probably wouldn’t set a price - any donation is a great donation in my opinion!! But that’s such a wonderful twist on a silly little wedding game!
Awww! That turtle is so cute! =)
We may or may not have a kissing game — since the current game plan is that the dinner portion of our reception will come before the ceremony, I don’t know if people will be as eager to see us kiss. =D Either way, there will be no tinkling of glasses (my fiance and I both haaaaate that sound…plus we’re using plastic everything). We like what my mom and dad did — people had to tell anecdotes or come up with a poem.
I think it’s cute, and I don’t think anyone at your reception is going to say boo about it. They should all know you and what turtles mean to you, and any reason to donate to a charity you believe in is a good reason.
As for me, Mr. GB and I barely kissed for out ceremony - I’m the shyest person on the freakin’ planet. People knew better than to try and get us to kiss at all - all they’d get was a raised shaking fist our side of the table in defiance.
ps- I want that piggy-turtle bank.
I think it’s a great idea!!! I’d leave it open to the guests. I also have a feeling if you open it up to guests, you might get larger donations for those cute turtles than just 1 or 2 dollars. Sure, you’ll probably get some coins in there, but I think a lot of adults, especially those who are interested in your cause, will end up donating more. Love this idea!
I think since you’re going about raising money in a casual way no one will get offended, and it’s not like you put out a huge money barrel which implies - fill ‘er up. A little turtle money bank doesn’t seem offensive to me, and as a guest I think I’d get into it.. and if I didn’t feel like giving I don’t see it putting me off in anyway, but that’s just me.
I LOVE the turtle bank!! it’s adorable! I think $1 is a good amount..but it might be a good idea to let your guests know to bring some cash if you can do it tactfully
The little turtle bank is so cute! I think your kissing game idea will be a big hit!
I think this sounds a really great idea. I’d leave the amount up to your guests as I’m sure most people would give generously.
I would leave the amount open to guests. And I think the little turtle bank is adorable!
I think that is a really cute idea (love the bank!!!), and I’d just leave the denomination up to guests, so they are able to give what makes them feel comfortable!
| Visit our sister sites | Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Fertile Thoughts Infertility Support |
Mrs. Bruschetta, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: 25, Communication Professional
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Physical Therapy Graduate Student
Engagement Date: November 30, 2007
Wedding Date: August 2009
Venue: St. Thomas of Villanova Church & the F.U.E.L. House
About Me: I’m a self-proclaimed grammar geek who loves singing (like, really belting it) in the car. My mister and I are planning a vibrant summer soiree celebrating our passions – including food and Philly – and when we make it official, we’ll have been together for eight years! Being super competitive is in my nature, and talking excessively is in my genes. I’ve got a terrible sense of direction, but can always easily find my way into Mr. Bruschetta’s arms.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 |
Latest Gallery Pics