The Good Beginning – By Beth Helmstetter

If we had to pick one thing about Doodle Dog that makes us happiest, it’s our clients—hands down. Seeing our clients’ passion, kind hearts, and big dreams is what inspires us to create each of our custom designs. Beth Helmstetter is an exemplary illustration of exactly that kind of inspirational client… so, we’re very excited to unveil her new look today! As a luxury destination wedding planner, Beth saw a need yet unsatisfied by the industry. Many of her clients were in a season of life where traditional wedding gifts didn’t fill a functional need or even a desire. Whether working with brides whose kitchens were already well-stocked with gadgets, or travelers whose flexible agenda didn’t require a new KitchenAid mixer, Beth noticed that many of her clients’ lifestyles simply didn’t incorporate standard registry items. Instead, her clients often preferred for those gifts to be directed toward a heartwarming and practical cause. Beth wanted to give back, and so did the couples she was working with. Out of that idea, The Good Beginning was born. Beth Helmstetter created The Good Beginning as a place for couples who preferred charity donations over a traditional wedding registry. Her site allowed clients (and now, everyone!) to set up a registry where they could tell guests about a cause they were passionate about—and have a single, streamlined, platform where guests could donate to that cause. The main features of the site include a platform to tell the world about different social causes, and the opportunity to choose those causes over big-name brands if a traditional wedding registry doesn’t a couple’s current needs. The new site allows guests to donate in a user-friendly environment, collecting all funds in one place. The design also incorporates a profile page with donor names so the couple can easily monitor a list for thank you notes. Additionally, we included a place for a cause to be considered for a listing—so that any special cause has greater potential of making a name on the site and accruing more donations. We are in awe of Beth Helmstetter’s big-hearted idea, and are so honored to be a part of The Good Beginning’s launch. Check out the design (and some social causes!) here: