by Johanna Osborne

Weddings are a little like Christmas, everyone comes together and it’s a time for family, friends, sharing and caring. So it makes total sense that more and more couples are opening their hearts to a good cause and incorporating it right into their celebrations. Not only does it create goodwill and good cheer, but also helps to make an actual difference. What am I talking about? The famous and wonderful Unicef of course. Unicef is a new exhibitor at the upcoming Wellington Wedding Show on the 5th of May in the TSB Arena, and we are very excited to welcome them onboard! Today we chat to the lovely Ella Anselmi from UNICEF NZ’s Wellington office, and she fills us in all there is to know about Unicef, and how you too can make a difference on your wedding day and every other day thereafter too.

1. What can you tell us about Unicef?
“UNICEF does amazing things to transform kids’ lives around the world – we immunize half the world’s children, we work to get 67 million children without an education into school, and we protect children from violence, exploitation and AIDS. We do all of this (and more!) for one reason – because we believe every child born into this world, has the right to a childhood. Since we’re a charity, we couldn’t make any of this possible without the help of those who support us with their time and donations in New Zealand. You can find out more about what we do at www.unicef.org.nz or about the favours by clicking www.unicef.org.nz/favours.”

2. How can brides and groom incorporate Unicef into their wedding day?
“We want bride and grooms to share in our love for children! Couples who choose to buy UNICEF Wedding Favours make the best day of their life also the best day of a child’s life. Bride and grooms can say thank you to their guests with UNICEF Wedding Favours, while sending a gift of hope on their behalf so children can live healthier, happier and safer lives. Couples can give the gift of life with therapeutic food, mosquito nets or polio vaccines. “

3. Tell us more about Unicef wedding favours
“It is so easy for couples to choose UNICEF Wedding Favours for their big day. All they need to do is go to www.unicef.org.nz/favours and select the wedding favours they would like for their guest (these come in packs of 10 ranging from therapeutic food, and vaccines to mosquito nets). The couple will then receive stylish little cards for each guest to go on their table (can be used as name cards) and we will send the live-saving gifts to children who need them the most.Charity wedding favours is a new concept for New Zealand and we are very excited to see people take to the idea. For the extra keen bride and grooms we also have the UNICEF Wedding Registry. By choosing a UNICEF Wedding Registry couples receive gifts that make a lasting difference to children around the world. We have already had one Wellington couple ask their guests for UNICEF donations over gifts for themselves. What an awesome couple! There is something incredibly cool about a couple sharing their special day with friends, family and thousands of children around the world.”

We are in love with this idea – you just can’t get much more Angelina Jolie than that! We love that the favours and contribution can be adapted to suit a couple and their budget, and the overall feel-good factor at a wedding with these would be through the roof! Why not stop by their stand at the Wellington Wedding Show and see for yourself how Unicef could bring a little magic into your day. Great idea Unicef, keep up the good work! xoxo www.unicef.org.nz/favours