Etiquette Guide: Asking For Gift Cards As Wedding Gifts

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. Here are some suggestions:

- Include a separate gift card or a gift message as part of your information card.

- Let your guests know how important their presence is to you, and that their attendance is your main priority.

- Inform your guests about your gift preference. You can include a message with your wedding invitation or ask a relative to spread the word.

- Provide a labelled box at the reception for cards and gifts.

- Send your guests a thank-you note after the wedding, expressing your appreciation for their attendance and gifts.

Remember, it's essential to be respectful and considerate when asking for gift cards, and ensure your guests know that you value their presence and appreciate their gifts.

Be clear and specific about the amount, store and purpose of the gift card

When asking for gift cards on your wedding invitation, it is essential to be clear and specific about your preferences. Here are some tips to achieve that:

Specify the Amount

Explain to your guests that you prefer gift cards over traditional gifts and provide a suggested amount for the gift cards. This can be done tactfully by mentioning that you are saving for a particular goal, such as a honeymoon or a new home. You can also mention that gift cards would be appreciated to cover the costs associated with your wedding or honeymoon.

Suggest Gift Card Options

Provide your guests with a list of retailers or stores where they can purchase the gift cards. Consider creating an online registry that includes various "funds" or "campaigns" related to different aspects of your married life. For example, you could have a fund for your honeymoon, home improvement projects, or everyday expenses. This approach allows guests to contribute to specific areas that resonate with them.

Communicate Your Preferences Clearly

Be transparent about your gift preferences. You can include a separate gift card with your invitation or add a line or two on your information card. A polite way to phrase this could be: "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 gift card to help us achieve our dream honeymoon."

Provide Practical Reasons

Explain to your guests why gift cards are a more practical option for you. For example, if you're moving into a smaller space or already have limited storage, you could mention that gift cards would help you avoid clutter and ensure you only bring items that you truly need. This approach shows that you are considerate of your guests' time and efforts.

Share Your Plans for the Gift Cards

Let your guests know how you intend to use the gift cards. For example, you could mention that you plan to put them towards a down payment on a new home, fund your honeymoon, or donate to a charity close to your heart. This adds a personal touch and helps guests understand how their gift will make a difference in your life.

Remember, it's essential to be gracious and appreciative in your wording. While it may feel uncomfortable to ask for gift cards, many guests will appreciate the guidance and clarity you provide in your invitation.

Include a statement of appreciation and a reminder that the gift card can be used to purchase exactly what is needed

When asking for gift cards in a wedding invitation, it's important to be thoughtful and respectful. Here are some ideas for wording your request with a statement of appreciation and a reminder that the gift card can be used to purchase exactly what is needed:

"We are so grateful for your presence at our wedding, and we thank you for considering a gift to mark this special occasion. We kindly request a gift card so that we may choose the perfect item for our new home together."

"As we start our new life together, we are incredibly grateful for your love and support. If you are thinking of giving a gift, we would be most appreciative of a gift card, allowing us to select something that we can cherish forever."

"Thank you for sharing our joy on our wedding day. If you are considering a gift, we kindly request a gift card. This will enable us to choose something that we truly need and will always remind us of you."

"Your presence at our wedding means the world to us, and we are grateful for your love and support. If you wish to honour us with a gift, we would be most appreciative of a gift card. This will allow us to select something meaningful that we can enjoy together as a newlywed couple."

"We are thrilled to be celebrating our wedding day with you. If you are thinking of giving a gift, we kindly request a gift card. This will give us the flexibility to choose something that we need as we begin our new life together."

Offer alternatives by providing guests with a selection of options to choose from

Offering alternatives and providing guests with a selection of options to choose from is a great way to ask for gift cards or monetary gifts. Here are some suggestions on how to politely include this information in your wedding invitations:

Wishing Well:

The concept of a wishing well has gained popularity as many couples already live together before marriage and have all the household items they need. Here are some wording suggestions:

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

> "We look forward to your presence on our special day. We realise that some of you may wish to give us a wedding gift to commemorate our union. As we already have all the household items we need, we will have a wishing well at our reception for those who would like to give us a gift."

If you plan to use the monetary gifts for something specific, such as a honeymoon or a new house, you can mention it:

> "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 create memories that will last a lifetime. A wishing well will be available on the day."

Honeymoon or Other Funds:

Instead of a traditional gift registry, you can set up a honeymoon fund or other specific funds to gather money for different goals, such as home improvements or a down payment on a house. It is considered polite to be specific about what you plan to use the money for, so guests understand their contribution. You can include a link to an online fund or mention that a card box will be available at the reception:

> "We are so excited to have you join us on our special day, and your presence is the best gift we could ask for. However, if we are honoured with a present, a monetary gift towards our [insert how funds will be used] would be very much appreciated. We have set up a cash fund at [insert URL] under registry ID [insert ID number]. Alternatively, a wedding card box will be at our reception."

> "Thank you for being a part of our wedding day. If you feel inclined to give us a wedding gift, a contribution towards our [insert item] would help get our newlywed life off to a great start. We have set up a cash fund at [insert URL], and a wedding card box will be available at the reception."

Gift Cards:

If you prefer gift cards, you can include a line or two on your information card or a separate gift card included with the invitation:

> "Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. However, should you wish to honour us with a gift, we would appreciate gift cards to [insert store name(s)]. These will help us [insert what you plan to use the gift cards for]."

> "We've created a wedding gift list with The Wedding Shop, focusing on sustainability and only asking for what we truly need. If you'd like to buy us a gift, take a peek here: [personalised URL]"

Remember, it is generally considered impolite to include 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.

Include gift cards in your gift registry

While it may be considered rude or tacky to include gift details on your wedding invitation, there are ways to politely ask for gift cards without appearing greedy or demanding. Here are some instructive and focused suggestions for including gift cards in your gift registry:

Be Clear and Specific

When asking for gift cards, it is essential to be polite and grateful. You can include a statement of appreciation and gently remind guests that a gift card will enable you to purchase exactly what you need. For example, "Thank you for considering our request for a gift card. Any amount you choose to give will be appreciated and will help us purchase a new computer." Being subtle yet direct can guide guests without being too specific. You could include a phrase like, "A gift card for a day out at the movies would be wonderful."

Offer Alternatives

Another considerate approach is to offer your guests a selection of gift card options to choose from. Provide a variety of alternatives, such as local stores, restaurants, or entertainment venues. This way, your guests can select a gift card that aligns with their interests and budget.

Including gift cards in your gift registry is a convenient way to guide guests towards your preference. It allows guests to select gift cards from their favourite retailers, making it easier for them to contribute without extensive research. You could also include creative phrases in your invitation, such as, "Let's make it simple and skip the gift wrap – gift cards are the way to go!"

Use Word of Mouth

Although it can be tricky, using word of mouth through your wedding party or family is an effective strategy. This method can be especially useful when dealing with a large and diverse group of invitees. It ensures that your preference for gift cards reaches a broader audience and increases the chances of receiving them.

Set Up a Honeymoon/House Deposit Fund

Consider using a gift registry service to set up a fund for a specific purpose, such as a honeymoon or a house deposit. This option allows guests to contribute financially to a meaningful purchase. In some cases, you may need to register for a few physical gifts as well, but it's worth exploring to avoid unwanted gifts.

Ask friends or family members to spread the word

Asking friends or family members to spread the word about your preference for gift cards is a popular option, but it's a risky one. It might work if, for example, you know your mum is good at subtly dropping things into conversation, and you're mostly expecting physical gifts from that side of the family. However, if it's not handled delicately by the friend or family member in question, you could end up inadvertently offending your guests.

If you choose to go down this route, make sure the person you ask is both tactful and trustworthy. It's also a good idea to give them a script to follow, so they know exactly what to say. Here are some examples of what they could say:

"I know the couple would be grateful for any gifts, but they've mentioned that they'd particularly appreciate gift cards as they're moving out of state soon and don't have the room to transport physical gifts."

"The couple already have all the household items they need, so they're asking for gift cards instead. That way, they can put it towards their honeymoon/new home/etc."

"As the couple are moving into married housing at college soon after the wedding, they're asking for gift cards so they don't have to ship gifts to their new home."

"The couple are saving up for [something specific], so they'd really appreciate financial contributions in lieu of physical gifts."

It's also worth noting that some people may still give physical gifts, even if your friend or family member spreads the word about your preference for gift cards. In that case, you can always return the items and get store credit.

Frequently asked questions