Honesty Is Sometimes The Best Policy
Writing a simple request for cash at the bottom of your invites is a straightforward way to ask for money instead of gifts.
This should be handled both delicately and politely. Luckily for you, we have a couple of templates to help you with this
Having you at our special day is all we could hope for. However, if youre thinking of buying us a gift, we would be grateful for a small cash donation towards our
While your attendance at our wedding is all we request, if you want to buy us a gift weve registered a small list at . However, any monetary contributions towards our future plans would be greatly appreciated.
Use A Cash Registry Website
For those more tech-savvy guests, turn to a cash registry site. There are many options, including:
In Lieu Of Gifts Wording For A Wedding Shower
Most wedding shower guests assume they need to bring a gift. Let them know thats not the case with wordings such as:
21. The average cost of a wedding is almost $35,000! Just something to remember if you planned to give a gift but werent sure what we needed
Consider this variation on the above suggestion for a wedding shower!
22. As you know, weve already made a comfortable home together. In lieu of gifts, please consider making a donation to one of the following charities.
Wedding shower gifts often consist of items that a young couple might need to get started in a new home. If youre already settled in your home, ask for donations instead!
23. Were so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. No gifts needed. However, if you wish to donate to those less fortunate, we would of course appreciate your contribution.
You may use this type of phrasing if you and your spouse-to-be are religious.
24. Our love is the only gift we need. Instead of a gift, we request that guests consider donating to .
This in lieu of gifts wording offers a less religious take on the above example.
25. No need for gifts. We dont have the space! Consider donating to instead?
This is another somewhat humorous way you might request donations over gifts!
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Having A Wedding Website
Having a website for your website can help you in a lot of things, including asking for money gifts. At least asking for cash wedding gifts on a website doesnt seem as tacky as asking for it on wedding invitations.
There are a couple of creative ways to ask for money as a wedding gift that makes you appear less tacky and cute even.
How To Ask For Money Instead Of Gifts For Your Wedding
- Sarah is an Associate Digital Editor for The Knot, with special focuses in fashion, pop culture and wedding trends.
- Before joining The Knot Worldwide, Sarah was a contributing writer for Bravo at NBC Universal.
- Sarah has a degree in journalism and resides in New York City.
We’ll let you in on a secret: When it comes to wedding gifts, you can register for just about anything you want. Today, wedding registries have evolved to be more inclusive and personalized than ever, which means you and your S.O. can ask for anything from patio furniture to a margarita machine to Airbnb gift cards or even money for your next date night. In the past, asking for money instead of gifts for your wedding was seen as taboo, but that couldn’t be farther from the case now. In fact, cash funds and honeymoon donations are some of the most popular registry additions. Your guests want to purchase things that’ll get plenty of use over the years, and there’s no denying that cash would make for a perfect gift to kickstart newlywed life.
So, if you’re wondering if you can use your wedding registry for money, the short answer is yes. But how do you ask for money politely? Don’t stress. Below, we break down everything you need to know about how to ask for cash as a wedding gift. You’ll find practical tips from finance experts, along with six easy ways to politely ask for money for your big day.
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Avoid Putting Gift Requests On Formal Invites
This is one traditional wedding etiquette rule that’s essential to follow today. While your registry information can go on your wedding website and bridal shower invites, it should never go on formal wedding invitations. Since wedding gifts technically aren’t required from guests, putting your gift information directly on your wedding invites can come across as rude. Instead, place an insert in the card with your wedding website address. This will indirectly guide them to your registry, which will help them see that you’ve registered for cash gifts.
How To Ask For Money Instead Of Gifts For A Wedding
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Whether you’ve lived together for years and don’t really need to upgrade your kitchen appliances and linens, have a tiny space that won’t fit any new purchases, or are working on a project that’s getting pricey, sometimes all you really want as a wedding gift is cash. If you’re wondering how to ask for money instead of gifts for your wedding, it requires a bit of tact.
Asking for cash for a wedding gift might rub some family members and friends the wrong way, so we outlined the best tips when it comes to asking for and handling cash gifts.
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Is It Ok To Ask For Money On Your Birthday
The answer to this question can be yes or no, depending on your approach. It will probably be seen as rude if you decide to ask people for money. However, you can use some hints that most people will take to understand that youd prefer money instead of a physical gift.
Keep in mind that at the end of the day, you cant control what people give you entirely. This may mean that youll end up with some gifts even if you dont want them. Its best to be gracious when receiving gifts of all sorts and thank the person who provided them, even if you cant use them.
Create A Very Small Wedding Registry At A Store
For couples who could use a few small items for their home but would still prefer cash, you can try creating a small wedding registry with a store. The goal is to add enough items for only about half of your guests so that the registry will look picked over quickly, especially as your big day approaches.
Guests who have waited a little too long to order a gift will instead opt to give you and your partner money instead. This option often satisfies couples who did need just a few household goods but would still prefer cash overall. No one has been directly asked to give money as a gift, so your guests won’t feel pressured.
This plan, however, is far from full-proof. Rather than give money, guests who cannot find a gift left on the registry may decide to give you gift cards to the store instead. While gift cards can be great to receive, they’re not nearly as universal as cash. If you wanted the money to spend on a honeymoon or a downpayment on a house, then gift cards will not get you very far.
Some guests might also decide not to bring a gift at all if there is nothing left on the registry. They might think that you have what you need and instead bring just a card. Again, there’s no wedding etiquette law that says your guests have to bring a gift, though it is encouraged, so some guests might just take this as a reason not to give a gift at all.
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Poems For Couples Buying A New Home
As were getting married we thought it would be fun, To move into a brand new home we need to get it done. As wedding gifts are bulky and were a little short on space, Some money would be the ideal gift to help us buy our place!
Well soon be saying I Do, And for a gift, if you havent got a clue, Then wed really love some cash, So that for our home we can splash, Out on a cosy new bed for two!
Weve just moved home and have filled it with stuff, From books to sofas, weve certainly got enough! Instead of more wine glasses, wed really love some cash, So that we can book a perfect honeymoon and head off in a dash. A romantic beach break would really do the trick, As soon as we can afford it, well be on that plane quick!
We cant wait to spend our wedding day with you, Weve been planning hard and spending money for a good year or two. As were keen to start our married life in style, An amazing honeymoon would really make us smile. Instead of a gift list from a high street shop, Wed really love some money so on a beach we can flop! Your financial donation would truly mean a lot, So thank you for contributing to our honeymoon pot!
In order to make our dreams come true, Wed love to go on a honeymoon for a week or two. Instead of a dinner set, a vase or a bowl, A financial contribution would make our wedding experience whole. Weve created a bank account to save our honeymoon money, We really appreciate it, and we cant wait to go somewhere sunny!
Be Specific About How You’ll Use The Cash
Cash or a check can feel impersonal, so letting guests know where the money will go helps your guests feel more connected to the two of you and your plans. If you’re in the middle of a big project, like renovating your home or moving across the country, let guests know about it on your wedding website. Adding a more personal touch with the story of how the project got started, how far along you are, and even the pitfalls you’ve faced along the way will both make your guests feel more connected to your lives and also serve as a plea for help that they’ll be more inclined to answer.
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How To Politely Ask For Money Instead Of Gifts For A Wedding
Ollie fromHitchd
When you were young, you loved unwrapping gifts and feeling surprised at whatever was inside. Even if the gift wasn’t something you had asked for or already had, you felt elated because you had a new toy.
Now that you’re an adult, however, receiving gifts, especially from people you love but don’t see often, can be a little nerve wracking. You wonder if the gift is a duplicate of something already in your home or if it’s something that you know you’ll never use. You feel genuinely grateful for the person’s generosity, but the thought of having to return the gift, give it away or store it in your already short-on-storage-space home feels daunting.
Engaged couples tend to feel this anxiety around wedding gifts because the one thing they really want the thing that never goes out of style is money, but it’s also the one thing that’s very hard to ask for as a wedding gift. If you’re like other engaged couples out there, then you either don’t need items for your home or the items you want, such as a couch or dining table, are simply too expensive to put on a registry.
If you don’t want to run the risk of receiving weddings gifts that you don’t need or will never use, then you need to learn how to ask for money instead of gifts for a wedding the polite way. Here’s how to do it.
Place A Box For Cards At The Reception
While some guests will use your wedding registry to shop for gifts, others might prefer to bring a check on the big day. To accommodate cash donations in person, set up a box for cards at the reception. This cash gift idea, often called a wishing well, is a great way to keep track of all the monetary donations received on your wedding day. Plus, having one spot to compile cards and cash gifts will make writing thank-you notes much easier.
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How Do I Ask For Money For A Wedding Gift Four Options
Stationery by Gilded Lili via
Asking For Cash Often Uncovers Insecurities In Both Parties
Asking for money uncovers insecurities and doubts, especially when youre asking for it without having done something in return. Theres a difference when you request your employer for money as compensation for work done and asking for money without having done anything. After all, we use currency as a means of exchange. Quid pro quo, according to psychologists.
Asking for cash without giving something in return is often viewed as a social faux pas.
And the reality is we would rather hoard our cash wands rather than giving it away whenever someone asks us to folk it over.
When you ask for money as a wedding gift, guests are going to think Why are they having a wedding in the first place? If the weddings too expensive, why not scrap the whole ostentatious and wasteful affair altogether? We shouldnt have to foot their bill to get hitched! Thats the polite version. Most likely, a few choice words get sneaked in there.
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