Traditionally after their wedding has taken place, couples of yesteryear would set up home together from their respective parent’s house to a home of their own. Wedding gifts were therefore vital to fill their new homes with appliances, crockery and knick knacks, and give them a new start in life. But in today’s day and age, it is rare for couples to be living separately before their marriage takes place, and therefore many gifts received are deemed unwanted or remain unused.
Something that will always be gratefully received, however, is money! It’s no surprise that couples these days are opting for cash gifts for their wedding present as money can be better utilised, especially in today’s economical climate. Spare cash can be put towards bills, mortgages, your honeymoon or even to pay for some of the wedding.
The tricky part couples don’t quite know how to go about is actually asking for no gifts and money in their place, as is it a rather contentious subject. I’ve compiled a few ways to ask below, to make things a little easier for you!
- A Polite Notice In Your Invitation – One thing you don’t want to sound is ‘greedy’ or ‘rude’ when suggesting for your guests to offer you money, and a polite little notice at the end or attached separately to your invite would be ideal. Here’s an example:
‘The most important thing for us is your presence during the day to celebrate our marriage and gifts are by no means expected. If however, you do feel you would like to give something, then pounds to enjoy whilst on our dream honeymoon would be very much appreciated’
- A Poem – To make your request a little more light hearted, a short rhyme or poem will go down well and again you can attach or include it within your invitation. Again, here is an example to help:
‘We’ve been together for a few years now,
We have pots and pans and linen and towels,
We have glasses and toasters, really quite a few.
So instead of more gifts, we suggest this to you
If it doesn’t offend and it won’t send you running
What we would really appreciate is quite simply money.
We know choosing gifts can be such a pain
And this way there is no chance of bringing the same!’
- A Wishing Well/Money Tree – These are also lovely tasteful ways to receive money from your guests. Both require your guests to place money in envelopes and either pin to a ‘Money Tree’ or drop into a ‘Wishing Well’ which you can bring along to your wedding venue and place in the foyer. Again, these ways will require you to ask for participation beforehand, and a polite notice or poem in your invitation will do the trick.
- No Boxed Gifts – Many Brides and Grooms from other cultures, in particular Indian and China, specify ‘No Boxed Gifts’ in their invitation. This can be loosely translated to ‘no physical gifts, but money is welcome.’ It is purely down to personal preference, and if you feel this short description would work best for you and your guests, then use it.
Elki is from http://www.weddingdays.co.uk/my-wedding/wedding-venues/ and loves to write about all things wedding related especially the area of wedding budgeting and finance.