How To Deduct Wedding Expenses From Your Tax Return

Planning a wedding can be a costly affair, with couples often underestimating the cost of products and services. While weddings are not tax-deductible, there are some ways to make tax savings. By donating certain items, such as flowers, food, and attire to a charitable organisation, you can claim a tax deduction. In this case, you would need to list these as itemised deductions on your tax return. You can also donate your wedding dress to a non-profit organisation, which would help others in need and also provide you with a tax write-off. If your wedding venue is a historical location, such as a museum or garden, you may be able to deduct the cost as a charitable contribution. Additionally, if you are getting married in a church, you may be able to deduct any additional donations made outside of the ceremony fee.

Donating your wedding dress

Brides Against Breast Cancer

Your donation will help fund breast cancer research, awareness, and early detection. They also accept bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, tiaras, veils, slips, and shoes.

Angel Gown® Program

This organization provides infant gowns to parents who have lost their newborns in the NICU. They accept wedding dresses and create multiple infant gowns from them, providing them to grieving families at no cost.

Brides Across America

This organization supports brides of military members and first responders, helping them overcome various service-related hardships. Your tax-deductible donation will help brides in need.

Brides for a Cause

Brides for a Cause is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. They accept wedding dresses, bridal accessories, and bridesmaid and flower girl dresses. They also accept dirty or damaged dresses and work with local dry cleaners and seamstresses to clean and repair the gowns. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation.

Making Memories

Making Memories is another non-profit organization that accepts wedding dress donations.

Local Goodwill or The Salvation Army

You can donate your wedding dress to your local Goodwill or The Salvation Army. They will be able to provide a receipt for a tax write-off.

Remember, in order to claim a tax deduction for charitable donations, you must donate to a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Be sure to document your donations with receipts so that you can claim your tax deductions.

Venue fees at historical locations

If you're planning a wedding, you might be wondering how to cut costs. One way to do this is to look for tax-deductible expenses. While weddings are not tax-deductible, there are some ways to garner tax deductions. One of these is to have your wedding at a historical location, such as a museum, garden, or state or national park. In this case, you may be able to deduct the venue fee as a charitable contribution as long as the fees are for the preservation of the historical location.

When booking a historical venue, be sure to ask if the fees are for the preservation of the location. Many venues will indicate if this is possible when you're making booking arrangements. It's also important to note that only additional donations to the venue are tax-deductible. If you are paying a ceremony fee, the fee itself won't be tax-deductible because it is paid in exchange for receiving a service.

Additionally, keep in mind that the tax-deductibility of venue fees at historical locations may vary depending on the country or state you are in. Be sure to check with the site representative or a tax professional to understand the specific rules and regulations that apply to your situation.

• Be flexible with your wedding date: Choosing a weekday wedding or one during the off-season (winter, in most parts of the country) can result in lower rates.
• Cut down your guest list: Larger venues that accommodate more people will cost more than smaller venues.
• Look for all-inclusive venues: Venues that offer in-house catering and other services may provide cost savings compared to hiring external vendors.
• Read contracts carefully: Be open about your budget and understand your venue contract. There may be some fees that the venue can waive if you ask politely.

Leftover food donations

While weddings are generally not tax-deductible, there are some ways to garner tax deductions from wedding-related expenses. One way to do this is to donate your leftover wedding food to an IRS-recognized non-profit organization that feeds others in need. This is possible thanks to the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.

To do this, ask your caterer to package the leftovers, and then you or a designated person from your wedding party can drop them off at a relevant organization. You will receive a donation letter that can be used as proof of charitable contribution. It is important to note that unless the food is in its original condition, it should be valued at less than the full retail price.

Some people have expressed concerns about donating leftover food from weddings due to food safety rules and the possibility of foodborne illnesses. To address this, it is recommended to carefully monitor and ensure that any leftover food is repacked and stored within food safety guidelines. Additionally, some caterers may already have a process in place for donating leftover food, so it is worth discussing this with them.

In addition to donating leftover food, there are other ways to create tax write-offs from your wedding. These include donating flowers, wedding attire, and decorations to charitable organizations, as well as choosing a wedding venue that is a charitable organization or a historical location, such as a museum or national park.

Flower donations

Flowers are often a significant part of a couple's wedding budget. While you cannot claim the entirety of your flower expenses on your taxes, you can donate your flowers and centrepieces to a local charity, homeless shelter, women's centre, hospice, or similar non-profit organisation to get a tax write-off.

It is important to note that the deductible amount may be considerably less than the price you paid, as it is based on the condition of the donated items at the time of donation. Additionally, you will need a receipt or donation letter from the organisation to claim the tax deduction.

Some national charities that accept flower donations include:

• Petals for Hope: This charity will pick up your flowers immediately after your wedding and repurpose them into bedside bouquets.
• Repeat Roses: This organisation can help you donate your flowers.

If you cannot find a place to donate locally, it is worth checking with these national charities to see if they have a participating affiliate in your area.

Remember to contact the charity or hospital ahead of time, as some may not accept floral donations. Also, ensure that they are an eligible tax-exempt organisation, or your donation won't be tax-deductible.

Charitable gift registry

A charitable gift registry is a great way to give back on your wedding day. Instead of receiving gifts, you can ask your guests to donate to a specific charitable organisation or cause. This is a perfect option for couples who already have all the standard newlywed items and want to start their marriage with a generous gesture.

There are several ways to go about creating a charitable gift registry. One way is to use an online platform such as MyRegistry.com, which allows you to set up a free wedding registry and add a direct link to the charity's donation page. You can also set up a cash gift fund in the name of your chosen charity and let your guests contribute to it. Another similar platform is The Good Beginning, which allows couples to research, choose, and embed a link to request donations for various charities directly onto their wedding website.

If you prefer a non-digital approach, you can include a note on your wedding website or invitations requesting that guests bring cheques to the reception, made out to your chosen organisation or charity. You can place a decorated box at the reception where guests can drop off their donations.

It is important to note that for donations to be tax-deductible, they need to be made to a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organisation. Keep in mind that you will need to itemize your deductions, and be sure to document your donations with receipts for tax purposes.

By choosing a charitable gift registry, you can make a positive impact while also giving your guests a meaningful way to celebrate your special day.

Frequently asked questions