Cash registry?

As a general rule, you want to register for gift gifts at the shower, because it's one of the things you'll do at the party (open gifts). People will likely give checks for the wedding, whether you have a cash registry or not. Usually people will bring a gift to both events, however, you can't count on gifts at either.

Check out something like the HoneyFund. You can have it set to specifically be money to go towards a home (vs like a honeymoon). Its a way for people to give you cash without giving you cash. We're using one to help pay for our honeymoon as we don't need a lot of "stuff".

A shower is best for gifts, some might feel uncomfortable giving money since they will likely give cash or check at the wedding. If you have everything you need, you can make it a no gifts shower and people might give an extra $50-100 on your wedding day. You could also spread the word on a group gift, for example say that you want a nice piece of furniture ($500-$1200) and would like people to group gift for a gift card (people should get with the host to donate) so people aren't put on spot and it doesn't force them to give a mandatory minimum. That way people know what they are buying instead of just handing you $50.

The purpose of a bridal shower is to “shower” the bride with gifts. If you don’t want physical gifts, don’t have a shower or ask the host(s) to instead throw a recipe shower, stock the bar party, or another alternative to a traditional shower.


Cash registries are also useless. You’re literally paying a third party part of your gift to collect money for you. Just skip the registry.

Honeyfund as an example charges a fee for your guest to give you a financial gift. In addition, it tells the guest they're buying you "experiences" when really it's just cash. That's misleading for your guests. I'd stay away from that.

A shower isn't for asking for money. It's for guests to give a physical gift. If you want a shower maybe make a small gift registry.

Agree that you need a registry of smaller items if you're having a shower. You can also make it a no-gifts shower or a recipe shower (love the idea from the commenter above!).

Totally fine to have a cash registry for a wedding, but a shower is a little different.

If you have no physical registry, then a shower serves no purpose. Have a bridesmaids lunch instead because a shower is for physical gifts.


Do you have anything you want to upgrade to better quality or matching sets? Anything that you have seen at the store while shopping that you would not spend your own money on? Many people don’t give cash gifts under any circumstances and if there is no physical registry, you will receive gifts you don’t want and can’t return.

You do not have to open physical gifts at your shower. I did not and have been to showers where they did not open gifts. Only you know if your guests will think bad of you for having a cash fund. I have never heard anyone judge a couple harshly for having a honeymoon fund or cash registry until I got on this forum. People normally bring a gift to both the shower and the wedding. So if you don't have a registry, people will probably bring you a card with cash or a gift card. As a guest, I want to give a gift that the couple wants or needs. If that's money, that's what I will give them!