The (Less) Awkward Art of Asking for Cash as a Wedding Present

Are you and your partner drawing a blank when trying to fill out a registry? Perhaps this is because you feel you have everything you need as you've already been living together for years or deep down you are not wanting more "things", or you genuinely just want cash. A common question couples have is.... how do you request money without feeling... well awkward or rude?

Here are some quick tips:

#1: Discuss with your partner and clearly identify what you ARE wanting to put the cash towards. This can help frame for guests why you are asking for cash gifts. You can mention that you and your partner are hoping for monetary contributions towards your future plans to buy a home or vehicle, pay off student loans or debt, or share an experience together.

#2 Consider a honeymoon fund such as HoneyFund. This allows guests to purchase you a round of drinks while you are away, pay for a room upgrade, a dinner, or an adventure. This allows guests to pick and choose what and how much they want to contribute. oftentimes this can also feel more personal and meaningful to guests.

#3 Be Clear. Your guests are not mind readers. Be sure to clearly state on your wedding website or on invitation inserts that you are requesting money. Wedding etiquette does typically recommend that you do not to include information about gifts directly on your wedding invitation but rather add it onto the inserts or website. If someone specifically asks you what you want do not be afraid to state what you want. If that makes you nervous, practice a few go-to lines for when your friends and family do ask, you have a response you are comfortable with.

#4 Be grateful. Although it may seem obvious, oftentimes in the rush of a moment we can easily and unintentionally overlook thanking and showing gratitude to individuals for their contributions or gifts. Be sure to take the time to not only verbally thank guests if applicable but ALSO send out thank you's

Here are a few examples of how I would recommend wording your request;

"Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. However, if you wish to honour us with a gift, a cash gift would be very welcome to put towards our savings for a new home. "
"Your presence at our wedding is gift enough, but if you would like to give us a gift, we kindly request monetary contributions towards [insert what you plan to use the money for, such as a down payment on a house or a honeymoon]."
"We are grateful for your love and support and are looking forward to celebrating with you on our special day. If you would like to give us a gift, we kindly request monetary contributions to help us start our new life together."
"We are so excited to start our lives together and would be grateful for any contributions towards our future. If you would like to give us a gift, we kindly request monetary contributions that we can use towards [insert what you plan to use the money for, such as home renovations or starting a family]."
"Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for, but if you would like to give us a gift, we kindly request monetary contributions that we can use towards [insert what you plan to use the money for, such as a dream honeymoon or a new car].".

Other non-item gift ideas:

Double date or adventure packages. Is your love language quality time? This may be just right for you! Ask your guests to plan or schedule a dinner, adventure, or hike with them. Your upcoming year as newlyweds will be filled with fun adventures, dinners, hikes, movies or games nights with your friends and family.
Donation to a Charity of choice. If there is a charity near and dear to your heart or that ties into your wedding, you can request to have guests donate to that cause.
Meal kit subscription. Perhaps you love good food but DO NOT like to cook, prep or plan. You could always request meals, similar to a meal train. You could provide a few options which may include, purchasing a week(s) of meals or a gift card to a meal delivery service you have wanted to try; Hello Fresh, Good Food, Chef's Kitchen etc. You can also have a calendar set up which allows guests that wish to make homemade meals for their week to sign up and drop off meals or others to send Skip the Dishes or door dash gift cards.

Any other ideas??