How do I ask for gift cards or money instead of gifts?

Monetary Gifts

I had a friend say something on her website to the effect of "We live in a small NY apartment and don't have the space for a large selection of gifts" followed by a link to their honeymoon registry.

Otherwise I'd suggest not having a registry. People can figure out that you only want money if you don't have any registry. You can also have your family or bridal party pass the word.

However, I would suggest that you don't specifically say it to guests unless they ask where you're registered.

Im adding for a wishing well wedding....on my friends website instead of registry she had a wishing well....with a cute poem

Soon you will hear our wedding bell,

As Friends and family wish us well.

Our household thoughts are not brand new,

We have twice the things we need for two.

Since we have our share of dishes and things,

We're having instead a wishing well wedding.

But more important we ask of you,

your prayers of love and blessings too!

I am also doing a wishing well. On my registry page of my website this is the poem I used: More than kisses so far we’ve shared,

Our home has been made with Love and Care,

Most things we need we’ve already got, And in our home we can’t fit a lot!

A wishing well we thought would be great,

(But only if you wish to participate),

A gift of money is placed in the well,

Then you make a wish, shhh don’t tell,

While enjoying our honeymoon we’ll feel brand new,

We can look back and say it was all thanks to you!

And in return for your kindness, we’re so sure,

That one day soon you will get what you wished for.

This fits us as we have been together 18 years and we will definitely use it towards our honeymoon cruise. But I will not tell people that they have to give money or anything for that matter. Good luck!!!

Hindsight, did she use that exact wording? I don't know why, but I would feel put off by that caption.

I would just put a small, small registry of things you REALLY need or want. Maybe 5 or so things. People will get the hint that money is the goal. Or just let word of mouth go or write on your website/save the datse/whatever that while gifts are appreciated, you are hoping to save for a new home or whatever.

I agree with hindsight, don't register and spread the word. people will ask, if not you directly, your mom and close bridal party members like moh.

"Accounting for travel, monetary gifts are appreciated. Large gifts can be shipped to_"

Please oh please do not use a "cutesy poem" or do a wishing well (yuck). Do what Hindsight said, a small registry and it people ask just say you are saving for xyz.

Any mention of gifts should not be on or in invites. Decline any showers, because those are boxed-gift events.

Asking for money in any shape or form is extremely rude and very tacky, even tackier and ruder with a "cutesy peom".

You could register for a few items on Amazon or myregistry.com and include a note that things be shipped directly to you because of travel. With that note and a small registry, people should get the message

In the end, you can't control what people decide to do. If you don't want gifts, don't register. Include poems and instructions regarding money at your own risk. That is such a turnoff. I am sorry to be a bummer about it but it's just so gross to do that. Just don't register, period. You're going to get gifts no matter what.

I find asking for money very offensive. Don't mention registry stuff on any invites and don't register and people will either give you money or crap you don't need and you can return it.

You don't ask. It's rude to expect people to give money. Gifts as they are, guests have the right to choose what they want to give you. Even understanding why it'll be hard for you to receive boxed gifts, you still don't ask for money. Just don't register, or register for only a few small things. People will get the hint. They aren't so stupid as to think "of she didn't register I guess we don't need to bring a gift" they will figure it out. You can let your family spread word of mouth, but you don't outright ask or say anything.

Case in point: my brothers wedding they asked for money instead of boxed gifts. I was going to buy him just about $20 gift since I was broke. But them asking for money 1. Was actually off-putting, and 2. I felt obligated to give more, b/c a mere 20 bill in a card looks pathetic. I was literally broke enough I had to borrow extra from my parents, because I felt bad that I gave them more than the 20 I originally planned to spend.

No cute anything, no poems, no registry on the invites, no asking. It's tacky. Register for a few things and spread your preference by word of mouth.

I personally wish wish that wishing wells would go away.

Personally (and this is just me), I would almost be MORE likely to not give anything and/or simply not attend if I read that the couple was requesting money/monetary gifts. I once received an invitation that said (no joke) "Flat gifts preferred" and I about fell over. The gall and nerve of some people never ceases to amaze me!

If you would LIKE to receive monetary gifts, I agree with everyone else - just don't register. Most people will get the idea that what you'd prefer is cash. Usually, everyone prefers cash, and that's what most people end up giving....but it's just in poor taste to request cash gifts only, IMHO.

Register for a few items at Target, there are some people who want to give gifts, that is how they are programmed, like everyone said people will get the hint, and most gifts you can return for store credit/gift cards. I would try not to put pressure on your guests.

K & A I agree with you 1000%. Asking for money is just so tasteless. Honeymoon registries, gift card registries, money trees, wishing wells.....Sheesh!!!! Make it all stop!!!

I think you tell your MOH and parents and let them spread the idea word of mouth to people who ask. Do not register for any gifts. Some people will probably still bring boxed gifts, but without a registry, most will give money.

Ditto to what @Corina said. You really can't ask though like @K & A and @Michelle said... it just "ain't right!" If you have a small registry people who want to get actual gifts can get them and everyone else will probably give you gift cards/money.

Don't register for anything and have your bridal party/parents spread the word