Wedding planning is the exciting part, but navigating wedding gift etiquette can sometimes feel a little tricky. For many, asking for monetary gifts instead of physical gifts doesn’t come naturally. That’s why many couples seek polite but cute ways to ask for money as a wedding gift.
To help you find the right words, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide on asking for money as a wedding gift. We will also cover some creative wording examples you can use.
Can I ask for money as a wedding gift?
Absolutely! Nowadays, it’s completely acceptable to request money as a wedding gift. Many couples already live together and have their homes set up. Cash gifts can help them achieve specific goals like a dream honeymoon or house down payment. By politely expressing your wishes, loved ones can celebrate you in a meaningful way.
How to ask for money as a wedding gift
There are several ways to politely express your preference for cash gifts for your big day:
1. Consider setting up a cash registry
Cash registry platforms like Joy or Prezola take the guesswork out of requesting cash gifts. These platforms offer dedicated spaces specifically designed for monetary contributions. Many even allow you to personalize your request by creating a honeymoon fund or a specific goal fund, like a “dream home” fund. Additionally, some cash registry platforms offer features for tracking contributions and managing thank-you notes, making the process even smoother.
Please note that while a cash registry is a subtle way of asking for a monetary wedding gift, some platforms charge guests a fee on top of their contribution.
2. Address it on your wedding website
If you have a wedding website, it’s a perfect place to express your gift preferences. Include a clear and dedicated section explaining your wish for cash gifts and how guests can contribute.
3. Address it on your wedding invitations
While a direct request for money on invitations isn’t traditional, there are subtle ways to communicate your wishes. Instead of including a traditional registry list, you can mention your honeymoon fund or cash registry.
4. Set out a box for cards at the reception
A beautifully placed card box at your reception allows wedding guests who prefer a traditional route to contribute a card with a gift of cash. This subtly suggests the option without any expectation. However, to avoid unexpected boxed gifts, it’s a good idea to mention your preferences on your wedding website or invitations. Speaking from experience, many guests still like to give you wedding cards in addition to cash contributions – and some simply forget to check your wedding website to find the cash gift registry information.
What do you write when asking for money for a wedding gift?
Before we explore some creative and cute examples of asking for money as a wedding gift, let’s cover some elements you want to include no matter the wording you choose:
- Focus on appreciation: Let your guests know that their presence on your wedding day is the best gift of all.
- Add personality: Explore creative ways to express your wishes for cash wedding gifts. Think of a way that reflects your personalities! For example, if you are celebrating your special day with family members and closest friends, there’s no need to use overly formal wording.
- Be specific about how you’ll use the cash: If you have a goal in mind for the cash gifts, like a financial contribution towards a honeymoon trip or new home, mention it politely.
- Provide clear instructions: Make it easy for guests to contribute by providing clear instructions on how to give cash gifts, whether through a wedding registry platform or a card box at the reception.
- Consider alternatives (optional): If you’re open to receiving a small wedding gift or gift cards in addition to cash, mention that alongside your cash request.
Cute ways to ask for money as a wedding gift: 8 wording ideas
Now that you know the key elements for a charming cash gift request, let’s get creative! Here are some wording inspiration for cute ways you can ask for money as a wedding gift – you can adapt these to fit your unique style:
- “Your presence is our greatest joy. However, if you’d like to honor us with a gift, a cash contribution would be gratefully received.”
- “We’re incredibly fortunate to have everything we need. If you’d like to celebrate with a gift, a contribution towards our cash registry would be a wonderful way to help us achieve our goals.”
- “In lieu of gifts, we’ve set up a honeymoon registry for our epic adventure to [destination]. Your presence is our greatest gift, but if you’d like to shower us with some love (and maybe a little travel cash!), we’d be eternally grateful!”
- “Your presence is the most precious gift of all, but if you’re feeling generous, a contribution towards our dream honeymoon to [destination] would be a memory we’d cherish forever.”
- “We’re excited to see you celebrate our love story! While your presence is the greatest gift, we’re also saving for our honeymoon to [destination]. Any contributions, big or small, would bring us one step closer! Thank you for being a part of our special day.”
- “Knowing you’ll be there to celebrate our special day means the world to us. While a gift is never expected, a contribution towards our cash registry would be a delightful way to help us kickstart our married life together.”
- “We can’t wait to celebrate our big day with you! Your presence is more than enough, but if you’d like to contribute a gift, we’ve set up a cash registry alongside some gift card options to suit your preference!”
- “We’re already bursting with excitement for our big day! While your presence is all we could ask for, a contribution towards our new home fund would help us build our dream space together.”
Remember, these are just springboards! Don’t be afraid to get creative and personalize the wording to reflect your voice and financial goals. You can even incorporate inside jokes or references special to your relationship!
How I asked for money as a wedding gift
While there are general guidelines on how to ask for money as a wedding gift in a polite way, there is no one-size-fits-all solution! The wording and method depend on many factors, like your style as a couple, the formality of your wedding, and even your culture.
When we got married a couple of years ago, we had a fairly small celebration with our families and close friends. Therefore, the way we asked for monetary gifts was also fairly casual. We included a note on the wedding website saying: “The most important thing to us is that you are able to celebrate with us on our wedding day. However, if you wish to give a gift, we will gratefully accept any contributions towards our honeymoon. Please see the details below.”
Instead of using a cash registry, we simply requested any contributions directly to our bank account. Why? We wanted guests to avoid any potential transaction fees related to registry platforms. This might not feel like a natural approach for everyone but if you don’t want guests to pay transaction fees, consider opting for a cash registry website that has no fees.
Final thoughts
With these tips and examples as your inspiration, you can craft a creative and cute way to request cash gifts for your wedding. By expressing your appreciation upfront, adding a touch of personality, and providing clear instructions, you can ensure your request is both polite and effective.
Once you’ve crafted your perfect wording, consider incorporating it into your wedding website, invitations, or a card box at the reception. This ensures everyone is on the same page, making it easy for guests to celebrate with a gift they know is meaningful to you.
