Asking For Money Wedding Gifts

by heather
(whitney point)

I live with my future in laws, and we don't need the usual gifts. How can we appropriately ask for gift cards / cash as wedding gifts?

Our Thoughts

The easiest way to do this is through a wedding website where you can post your preference to receive cash or gift cards. It is not recommended to mention this in your wedding invitations.

Creating a wedding website is very easy, especially if you create one somewhere like Wedding Tracker. Take 25% off a one year subscription to Wedding Tracker and build the ultimate wedding website! Use code AFF25.

Another easy way to get the word out is to have your bridal party spread the news to your family and friends.

Regards,
Danielle

Asking For Vendor Gift Certificates

by CT
(Mass)

We are paying for our own wedding, and have a home already. If asked, can we request gift certificates for our vendors to help us out?

Our Thoughts

Spreading the word amongst your bridal party, friends and family is the best way to get the message out about what type of wedding gifts you would like to receive.

While you can certainly spread the word that you would like gift certificates for your vendors, you want to make sure that it is very easy for your guests to purchase gift certificates.

It makes things a lot easier for your guests if vendor gift certificates are available online. If they have to call the vendors, or if it is difficult to buy gift certificates, your guests might end up bypassing this idea.

Honeymoon registries are a slightly different alternative. You register online, and your guests can help pay for activities, like your flight, meals and excursions.

Honeymoon Wishes is a great website that allows you to create a free honeymoon registry.

Another (sometimes simpler) option is to just request cash gifts. You can spread the word in a similar manner, and then use the cash to pay for the wedding.

To Your Wedding!
Danielle & Stephen

Asking For No Wedding Gifts

by Marie
(Canada)

My fiancé and I getting married for our 2nd time and already established, would prefer if guests did not buy gifts for us. How do we tactfully say that in invitations?





Our Thoughts

There are many endearing ways to state this in your wedding invitation...much more so than No Gifts Please.

Here are a few ideas:

"The only gift you should bring is yourself."
"The only gift we request is the gift of your presence."
"Your warmhearted wishes would be our most cherished gift."
"Please let your good wishes be your only gifts to us."

Congratulations to you both.

To Your Wedding!
Danielle & Stephen

Asking For No Wedding Gifts

How can we tell our family and friends we don't want wedding gifts and that their presence at our wedding is all that we want? We don’t want to offend any of our wedding guests.



Our Thoughts

The easiest way to spread the word about your preferences for wedding gifts is through word of mouth. Tell your bridesmaids and close family to spread the word to your families and friends.

Also, set up a wedding website which includes a section about wedding gifts. A wedding website is essential to communicate important information about your big day.

One thing to keep in mind is that even though you are getting the word out that you don’t want any wedding gifts, there will probably be a few guests that won’t get the message and bring you a gift anyway.

Sometimes people just feel better giving a gift, even if you as the bridal couple would prefer that they don’t.

Regards,
Danielle

Asking For Cash Wedding Gifts

by Lauren
(San Luis Obispo, CA)

My fiancé and I would prefer to receive cash for our wedding gifts, as we want to buy a house soon! I already have the china, the linens, and more kitchen stuff than is necessary. How would you suggest we ask for cash to buy a new home rather than a registry?


Our Thoughts
Lauren,

The easiest way to handle this is to have your family and bridal party spread the word that you would rather receive cash instead of gifts.

This is a very wise, sensible move in our opinion, and you should feel very proud that you are making a sound financial decision.

If people ask you where you are registered be honest and tell them that you are saving for a home and would prefer cash gifts. We would not recommend, however, that you mention this on your wedding invitation.

While most of your guests will respect your wishes, be prepared to get a few random gifts some of which you may like and other that you won't. Some people just prefer to give gifts.

To your wedding!
Danielle & Stephen

No Wedding Gifts

by Kate
(NY, USA)

My fiancé and I have decided not to have wedding gifts because neither of us has the space to store it. Also, I am leaving for the military (not sure when yet).

I am not planning on having a bridal shower either because I have no interest in one and probably will not have the time to have one. I have strongly expressed that with my bridesmaids.

Is there an option to do a registry later and request that gifts be given at a later date?



Our Thoughts

Dear Kate,

First let me congratulate you on both your engagement and for joining the US Military! What an exciting and brave time in both of your lives.

This is always a tough question since those who love you dearly want to express their love buy giving you and your fiancé a gift to celebrate the beginning of your new life together. Although some may find it rude to ask for monetary gifts or gift cards, this may be a great option in your situation instead of requesting gifts at a later time.

Find a store that you both really adore and ask your bridal party and wedding guests to provide gift cards from this store or monetary gifts to be used at a later date.

Please know and be prepared that some of your guests will still show up with gifts, but let's hope they provide the gift receipt along with it if it is something you do not like.

A good way to help spread the word is to create a wedding website (if you haven’t already). Below is a link to a discount at Wedding Tracker in case you wanted to use it.

Take 25% off a one year subscription to Wedding Tracker and build the ultimate wedding website! Use code AFF25.

I wish you the best of luck in both adventures and be safe!

Regards,
Danielle