Gift Cards As Wedding Gifts: Etiquette And Ideas

Asking for gift cards or money instead of physical gifts for your wedding can be tricky, but it is possible to do so politely. Here are some suggestions on how to approach this:

- Use an online registry: Online registries are a great way to organise your gift preferences and tactfully ask for gift cards or cash. You can create different funds or campaigns where people can contribute to specific aspects of your life, such as your honeymoon or a new home. This adds a personal touch and makes it more fun for your guests.

- Address it on your wedding website: Create an FAQ page on your wedding website to mention gifts. This way, it seems like you are addressing the issue because you've already received questions about it.

- Ask friends or family to spread the word: This option may be risky, as it doesn't give you much control over the message. However, if you have a close network who can subtly spread the word, it can be effective.

- Set up a honeymoon/house deposit/home improvement fund: Some gift registry services allow you to set up a fund where guests can contribute money towards a specific goal, such as your honeymoon or a new home.

- Use subtle and polite wording: When addressing gifts, focus on the importance of your guests' presence and celebrate their contribution to your special day. You can also mention that you already have many physical items and would appreciate monetary gifts to put towards your future together.

- Provide a well-placed box at the reception: Ensure you have a designated and labelled area for guests to place their cards or gifts during the reception.

- Send thank-you notes: Always express your gratitude to your guests for their attendance and gifts. This serves as a lovely reminder of your wedding day.

Asking for gift cards instead of gifts

Be Polite and Tactful:

Remember to be polite and use tact when asking for gift cards. It is okay to know that gift cards are what you want as a wedding gift, but you don't want to offend your friends and family by bringing it up in the wrong way. They may be excited to choose a gift from a registry, so approach the topic sensitively.

Use an Online Registry:

Online registries are a great way to organise your gift preferences and tactfully ask for gift cards. You can set up different "funds" or "campaigns" where people can contribute to various aspects of your life, such as your honeymoon, a new home, or a project fund. This adds a personal touch and makes monetary donations more exciting for your guests.

Keep it Separate from the Invitation:

Avoid including gift preferences or registry information directly on your wedding invitations. Instead, provide this information separately, such as on your wedding website or through word-of-mouth from your family and bridal party. The invitation is meant to be a keepsake, and you don't want to spoil it with explicit requests for money or gift cards.

Provide a Personal Touch:

When asking for gift cards, consider adding a personal message or a cute poem to your website or registry. You can also mention what you'll be using their gift for, such as your honeymoon or a new home. This helps guests feel more connected to their contribution.

Include Some Regular Gifts:

While you may prefer gift cards, consider adding a few regular registry items as well. This caters to guests who prefer giving traditional gifts, and it can also help ensure that you receive a variety of gifts that meet your needs and desires.

Spread the Word:

If you don't want to include registry information in your invitations, you can ask your family and bridal party to spread the word about your preference for gift cards. They can discreetly inform guests about your wishes when asked about gift ideas.

Remember, the key is to be considerate of your guests' feelings while also clearly communicating your preferences. By following these suggestions, you can politely ask for gift cards instead of traditional gifts for your wedding.

Online registries

When creating your online registry, you can create several "bins" or "campaigns" that are different "funds" where people can donate to various aspects of your life. For example, if you are planning a honeymoon, you can create a campaign for it and add a fun story to make it more exciting for your guests.

You can also ask for gift cards from specific retailers. For example, if you are planning to buy beauty products for your honeymoon, you can add a Sephora gift card to your registry. This way, you can ensure that you receive gifts that are useful to you and your partner.

It is important to remember to keep the details of your registry separate from your wedding invitation. You can include the information on your wedding website or have your family and bridal party spread the word.

Wording on invitations

While it is acceptable to ask for gift cards as wedding gifts, it is considered rude to include these details on the invitation itself. Here are some suggestions for wording on your invitations:

"Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. However, should you wish to honour us with a gift, a list [of gift suggestions] has been registered with [store name]."

If you are looking for money or gift cards to put towards a new home, you could say:

"Your love, laughter and company on our wedding day is the greatest gift of all. However, should you wish to help us celebrate with a gift, a wishing well will be provided on the day."

Or:

"We look forward to your presence on our special day. We do, nonetheless, realise that some of you may wish to give us a wedding gift to commemorate our union together. After having lived on our own, we have all of the household items we need. However, for those of you who would like to give us a gift, we will have a wishing well at our reception that will go towards our future together."

If you are saving for your honeymoon, you could say:

"Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. However, should you wish to honour us with a gift, a contribution to our honeymoon would help to create memories that will last a lifetime. A wishing well will be available on the day."

If you would like to politely decline gifts altogether, you could include a simple line such as:

"Your presence is present enough."

Spreading the word through family

Asking for gift cards or money instead of physical gifts for your wedding can be tricky, but it is possible to do so politely. Here are some tips for spreading the word through your family:

Firstly, it is important to remember that asking for money or gift cards instead of traditional gifts requires tact. You don't want to offend your friends and family by bringing it up in the wrong way. They may be excited to choose a gift for you, so it's best to approach the topic sensitively. One idea is to create a small registry with only a few essential items. People will likely get the hint that you prefer money or gift cards if there are limited options on the registry.

Another option is to rely on word-of-mouth. You can ask your family members to discreetly spread the word that you prefer monetary gifts. This method can be risky, as it doesn't give you much control over the message, but it may be effective if you know your family is good at subtly conveying information.

Additionally, consider setting up a honeymoon or house deposit fund with a gift registry service. Some services allow guests to contribute money towards a specific goal, such as a honeymoon or a new home. This option provides a polite way to ask for monetary gifts without directly asking your guests.

If you have a wedding website, you can also include a subtle message about your preference for gift cards or money. You could say something like, "Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. However, if you wish to honour us with a gift, a contribution to our honeymoon would be greatly appreciated." This approach lets your guests know that their presence is the most important thing to you, but also provides guidance on gift preferences.

Remember, the key is to be polite and considerate. While it's acceptable to ask for gift cards or money, do so in a way that respects your guests' choices and doesn't come across as demanding. Good luck with your wedding plans!

Honeymoon/house deposit/home improvement fund

Asking for gifts on your wedding day can be a tricky situation. While it is considered rude to include gift details on your wedding invitation, there are other ways to politely ask for gift cards or contributions to a honeymoon/house deposit/home improvement fund. Here are some suggestions and tips to help you navigate this situation gracefully:

Suggestions for Asking for Contributions:

• Include a separate gift card or message with your wedding invitation, indicating that your priority is your guests' presence, but also providing information about your gift preference. For example, "Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. However, should you wish to honour us with a gift, we would greatly appreciate a contribution towards our dream honeymoon."
• Inform your guests about your gift preference by including a message on your wedding website or asking a relative to spread the word.
• Provide a labelled box at the reception for cards and gifts, often called a "wishing well."
• Send your guests a thank-you note after the wedding, expressing your appreciation for their attendance and gifts.
• Set up a specific fund for your honeymoon, house deposit, or home improvement with a gift registry service. This allows guests to contribute financially to a meaningful purchase.

Tips for Asking for Contributions:

• Be respectful, considerate, and gracious in your wording.
• Be clear and specific about your preferences and the purpose of the contributions.
• Provide alternatives and options for your guests to choose from.
• Explain why gift cards or monetary contributions are a more practical option for you. For example, mention limited storage space or that you already have the necessary household items.
• Share your plans for the contributions to add a personal touch and help guests understand how their gift will make a difference.
• Avoid mentioning registry or gift details directly on your wedding invitations. Instead, use a separate card or rely on word of mouth through family and bridal party members.
• Be subtle yet direct in your requests. For example, include phrases like, "Let's make it simple and skip the gift wrap – gift cards are the way to go!"
• If you have a wedding website, create an FAQ page to address questions about gifts and provide suggestions for contributions.
• Designate a place for cards and monetary gifts at your reception, such as a "wishing well."

Remember, it's important to be thoughtful and considerate when asking for contributions. While it may feel uncomfortable, many guests will appreciate the guidance and clarity you provide.

Frequently asked questions