Declining Gifts Graciously: Wedding Invitation Wording

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's essential to convey your wishes regarding gifts clearly and politely. While some couples may prefer not to receive physical gifts, it's crucial to express this in a thoughtful manner. Directly stating no gifts, please on the invitation might be considered impolite by some, as it draws attention to the topic of gifts. Instead, consider including a separate insert within the invitation suite, expressing your preference for their presence over presents. You could also direct guests to a wedding website or provide alternative options, such as contributions to a honeymoon fund or donations to a charitable cause. Ultimately, clear and tactful communication is key to ensuring your wishes are respected.

No gifts, please. Your presence is the best gift you could bring

There are many reasons why couples may not want to receive physical gifts for their wedding. They may already have everything they need, not have the space for extra gifts, or prefer to put funds towards a different purpose.

However, it is considered impolite to explicitly state "no gifts, please" on a wedding invitation. This is because, by mentioning gifts, you are putting an emphasis on them, which is the opposite of your intention.

• "No gifts, please. Your presence is the best gift you could bring."
• "Your presence is a gift in itself."
• "We're excited for your presence, not presents. Please, no gifts."
• "Your presence is truly enough, no gifts please."
• "Your presence is all that I/we wish for. Please save gifts for the next wedding or party you attend!"
• "We have everything we need, and your attendance is the cherry on top! Please, no gifts."
• "Your presence is our present."
• "The gift of your company is the only gift needed."

If you are open to alternative gift options, you could consider including a charitable element:

• "Please, no gifts. Instead, consider making a donation to your favourite charity."
• "In lieu of gifts, please consider making a donation to [charity name]."
• "In lieu of gifts at our wedding, we kindly request you donate to [charity name] in our name if you feel inclined."

If you would prefer monetary contributions, you could phrase it this way:

• "For more information about our wedding, please visit [insert wedding website link]. In lieu of gifts, we would appreciate a contribution made to our [honeymoon, house, etc.] fund."
• "We would prefer your presence rather than your presents! However, if you insist, money towards revamping our home would be greatly appreciated."
• "We would love to accept your present, but unfortunately, we don't have room for a lot of wedding gifts. Please give us the wonderful gift of your presence instead."

“Your presence is a gift in itself

Communicating your preference for no gifts at your wedding can be tricky, but it's important to be upfront with your guests. Here are some ways to express that "Your presence is a gift in itself":

"We're excited for your presence, not presents. Please, no gifts." This direct approach clearly states that you value their attendance more than any material item.

"Your presence is truly enough, no gifts please." This phrase emphasises that their presence is the only thing you desire, making it clear that gifts are not expected.

"We want you to know that it is your presence, not your presents, that is important to us. However, if you wish to bless us with a gift, then money towards our honeymoon will be most appreciated." Here, you acknowledge that guests may still want to give something. By suggesting a contribution to your honeymoon, you provide an alternative to traditional gifts.

"Thank you so much for your generosity, but we prefer our guests not to bring gifts. We feel blessed enough that you're choosing to spend the day with us." This wording expresses gratitude for their presence and politely declines any gifts.

"We would love to accept your present, but unfortunately, we don't have room for a lot of wedding gifts. Please give us the wonderful gift of your presence instead." This option is ideal if you're concerned about space constraints. It politely requests their presence while declining physical gifts.

Remember, it's essential to communicate your wishes clearly to avoid any confusion. You can include this message on a separate card inserted with your invitation or direct guests to your wedding website for more details.

“We're excited for your presence, not presents. Please, no gifts

There are many reasons why you may not want to receive gifts at your wedding. Perhaps you already have everything you need, or you don't have the space for extra gifts. Whatever your reason, it's perfectly acceptable to decline gifts. However, it's important to communicate this to your guests clearly and upfront to avoid any confusion.

"We're excited for your presence, not presents. Please, no gifts."

This phrase clearly communicates that you value the presence of your guests more than any material gifts. It's direct and easy to understand, ensuring your guests are well informed about your wishes.

"Your presence is our present. No gifts, please."

This option emphasises that having your guests at your wedding is the best gift they could give. It's a warm and heartfelt way to express your wishes while also conveying the message that gifts are not expected.

"We're blessed to have your company. Please, no gifts."

Here, you're expressing your gratitude for your guests' attendance and making it known that their presence is more than enough. This option is a polite and gracious way to decline gifts while still showing appreciation for your guests' support.

"Your attendance means the world to us. Please, no gifts necessary."

With this phrasing, you're emphasising the importance of your guests' attendance and making it clear that gifts are not necessary. It's a respectful way to convey your wishes while still celebrating the significance of their presence at your wedding.

"We're all set with gifts. Your presence is what we truly want."

This option is a friendly way to let your guests know that you don't need any gifts. It acknowledges that gift-giving is a common tradition while also shifting the focus to the importance of their presence at your celebration.

Remember, it's generally not considered proper etiquette to include "No Gifts, Please" directly on your wedding invitations. Instead, you can include a separate insert within the invitation suite or direct your guests to your wedding website for more information. Spreading the message verbally or through your wedding party is also an option.

Your presence is our present

If you're looking for a polite way to ask for no gifts on your wedding invitation, "Your presence is our present" is a great option. This phrase conveys that the most important thing to you is your guests' attendance and well-wishes, not any physical presents. Here are some ways to incorporate this sentiment into your wedding invitations:

"We're excited for your presence, not presents. Please, no gifts."

"Your presence is truly enough, no gifts please."

"We're sending out this invitation in hope that you will join our celebration. If you intend to send a gift, we kindly mention that your presence is our present."

"Your presence at our wedding means more to us than any gift. We kindly request no gifts, please."

"As we are fortunate to already have a home together, we kindly request no gifts. However, if you wish to mark our marriage with a gift, a contribution to our honeymoon would be greatly appreciated."

It's important to note that explicitly asking for no gifts on a wedding invitation may be considered impolite by some. In these cases, it's better to include an insert with your invitation suite that mentions your preference for no gifts. You can also choose to spread the word in person or direct your guests to a wedding website with more details.

We would prefer your presence rather than your presents

There are many reasons why couples may not want to receive physical gifts for their wedding. Perhaps they already have everything they need, or they don't have the space for extra items. Whatever the reason, it is important to communicate this clearly to your guests. Here are some ways to politely and directly express your preference for their presence over presents:

"We're excited for your presence, not presents. Please, no gifts."

"Your presence is truly enough, no gifts please."

"We would prefer your presence rather than your presents! However, if you insist, money towards revamping our home would be greatly appreciated."

"We want you to know that it is your presence, not your presents, that is important to us. However, if you wish to bless us with a gift, then money towards our honeymoon will be most appreciated."

"We would prefer your presence at our wedding rather than presents. Contributions towards our future together will be greatly appreciated."

It is also recommended to include a card inserted with your invitation suite that provides specific details regarding gifts. Alternatively, you can direct your guests to a wedding website where you can include more information about gift preferences. Remember, clear communication is key to ensuring your no-gifts request is respected.

Frequently asked questions