Junior Rasmussen
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, and with the seemingly endless number of details to organise, it's easy to become overwhelmed. One of the most important aspects of wedding planning is the registry, where guests can purchase gifts for the happy couple. However, for couples who have been cohabitating for years, a traditional gift registry may not be necessary. Instead, a honeymoon fund is a great alternative, allowing guests to contribute monetarily to the cost of the couple's post-wedding trip. With the rise of modern society, asking for a monetary gift is becoming increasingly common, and there are now several websites that allow couples to set up a honeymoon fund or cash wedding registry. These funds allow guests to choose specific experiences to gift, such as spa treatments, romantic dinners, or unique excursions, adding emotional value to their contribution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Honeymoon fund registry websites | Honeyfund, Hitchd, The Knot, Traveler's Joy, SPUR Experiences, Honeymoon Wishes, Blueprint, Zola |
| Honeymoon fund fees | Some sites charge a transaction fee, while others are free |
| Gift options | Spa treatments, romantic dinners, excursions, plane tickets, hotel stays, gift cards, activities, experiences |
| Guest payment methods | Cash, check, credit card |
| Credit card fees | 2.95% service fee (Traveler's Joy), 2.5% transaction fee (The Knot), 5% service fee (other sites) |
| Other considerations | Number of gift options, ease of use, safety and reliability of the website |
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What You'll Learn
Honeymoon fund etiquette
Asking for money for your honeymoon can be done in a tasteful way. Here are some tips for honeymoon fund etiquette:
Choose a reputable registry
There are many honeymoon fund registries to choose from, including Honeyfund, Hitchd, The Knot Honeymoon Fund, Traveler's Joy, SPUR Experiences, and Honeymoon Wishes. When choosing a registry, it's important to consider fees. While it may be tempting to go with a registry that claims to have the lowest pricing, these sites often have hidden fees or forced upgrades. Stick with a reputable registry to avoid having your guests feel upsold or deceived. Also, consider how your guests will pay, as credit cards generally carry a small payment provider fee, plus a service fee from the registry itself. Some registries will even let you choose who pays the fee, and from an etiquette standpoint, it's best if you absorb the full fee so as not to add to the amount your guest is contributing.
Provide plenty of options
It is considered poor etiquette to provide little to no options for guests when they are exploring your registry. Aim for a range of 20-50 gifts, with a mix of big-ticket items like flights and accommodation, which can be contributed to by multiple guests, and smaller, more exciting and romantic gifts. If you're short on time, you can always start with a handful of gifts and break them down into more detailed ones later.
Make it easily accessible
Whether you include a link or address to your honeymoon registry on your wedding website or link to it directly from your invitation, make sure it's easily accessible to your guests. You don't want to be too discreet, as this is likely the main reason your guests are visiting your wedding website. However, you also don't want it to feel transactional. If you don't plan on having a wedding website, you can allow a honeymoon cash registry to do the talking for you by linking to it directly from your invitation.
Be mindful of your guests' situations
While honeymoon funds are a convenient way for guests to give, remember that they may not be able to give as much as they would like during difficult economic times or unexpected hardships.
Consider a hybrid registry
If you're concerned about etiquette, a hybrid registry that includes both physical gifts and a honeymoon fund option may be a good solution.
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How to tactfully ask for money
Asking for money can be tricky, especially if it's out of the ordinary for you. However, it's becoming more and more common for couples to ask for monetary gifts to fund experiences like honeymoons or even a home purchase. Here are some tips on how to tactfully ask for money for your honeymoon:
Be Comfortable with the Idea
First, you need to be comfortable with the idea of asking for money. It's essential to recognise that your guests want to give you something that you'll get a lot of use out of. If you already have traditional wedding gifts or feel well-equipped with home goods, it's perfectly fine to ask for something else.
Choose a Honeymoon Fund Website
There are several honeymoon fund websites available, such as Honeyfund, Traveler's Joy, SPUR Experiences, Hitchd, Honeymoon Wishes, and Blueprint. These websites allow you to create a registry for your honeymoon, where guests can contribute to specific experiences or simply give monetary gifts.
Provide Specific Details
When asking for money, it's important to provide specific details about your honeymoon plans. Share your travel fund registry on your wedding website, and include information such as your destination, excursions, and any upgrades you're considering. This helps guests understand what they're contributing towards and makes them feel more connected to your travel experience.
Communicate Your Preferences
There are various ways to communicate your preference for monetary gifts politely and casually. Here are some examples:
- "Cash gifts welcome—we'll use them to make our honeymoon memorable!"
- "Our homes are full, but we'd love to make memories. Cash donations towards our honeymoon are appreciated!"
- "We have all the pots and pans we need, but we'd love your help in planning an incredible adventure."
You can also get creative and use a poem to express your preference for honeymoon funds instead of gifts.
Inform Close Family and Friends
After setting up your registry, inform your close family members and friends about your preference for cash funds or honeymoon contributions. They can then spread the word to other wedding guests who may approach them for gift inspiration.
Accommodate Different Contribution Methods
Not all guests will feel comfortable with virtual monetary transfers. Some may prefer to give you a congratulatory card with a cheque inside at the wedding. To accommodate this, set up a wedding card box at the reception, often called a "wishing well," to keep track of all monetary donations received.
Remember, it's essential to choose a reputable registry website to ensure the safe handling of money from your loved ones. By following these tips, you can tactfully ask for money for your honeymoon and create a memorable experience that your guests will be excited to contribute towards.
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Honeymoon fund registry websites
There are several honeymoon fund registry websites that you can use to get cash for your honeymoon. Here are some of the most popular ones:
The Knot Honeymoon Fund
The Knot Honeymoon Fund is one of the most popular honeymoon fund registry websites. It offers a straightforward process for guests to contribute to your travels. It is free to use, with no percentage taken out of the cash total or set-up fee, although there is a 2.5% credit card transaction fee added to each guest's final total at checkout. The Knot also allows you to combine your honeymoon fund with traditional registry items, such as airline tickets, hotel rooms, and more.
Traveler's Joy
Traveler's Joy is one of the oldest honeymoon fund websites, launched in 2004. It offers a free service with no sign-up or upgrade fees, and 100% free gift redemptions in the US. If a credit card is used, a 2.95% service fee is deducted from the gift amount. Guests can easily find your Traveler's Joy registry by searching your wedding website on The Knot.
SPUR Experiences
SPUR Experiences offers over 4,000 adventures for your honeymoon fund, including spa days, wine tastings, and concert tickets. It is free to sign up, and couples and guests are not charged fees for purchasing gifts. SPUR Experiences vouchers also do not expire, and gifts can be exchanged for credit towards other options.
Hitchd
Hitchd is a honeymoon fund registry website that focuses on registry page design and a modern mobile and desktop experience for couples and guests. It is free to sign up and create your honeymoon registry, and it offers a price slider for guests to decide how much they wish to contribute.
Honeyfund
Honeyfund is a free honeymoon registry website with no fees for couples or guests. It offers various popular travel destinations and starter registries for honeymoons, including all-inclusive resorts and cruises.
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Cash wedding registries
There are several cash wedding registries that you can use to get cash for your honeymoon. Here is some information about a few of them:
Honeyfund
Honeyfund is a free honeymoon registry that allows couples to create a gift registry that reflects their unique interests. You can customize your website with details about your love story, wedding day, and registry. It also allows you to collect RSVPs and manage your guest list. Guests can contribute to your registry through Venmo, PayPal, or gift cards with zero fees. Honeyfund also offers great honeymoon deals curated from their top partners.
The Knot
The Knot offers an All-In-One Wedding Registry that combines cash funds and classic gifts in one list, making it easy for guests to choose what they want to gift. You can make it a honeymoon registry or ask for anything else you can imagine. The Knot charges a 2.5% transaction fee, which they claim is one of the lowest in the industry. They also offer budgeting tools, style quizzes, and a filter search for vendors, attire, and wedding rings.
Hitchd
Hitchd is a cash wedding registry that allows guests to use credit or debit cards to contribute money to your fund. Hitchd charges couples a one-time fee, so guests do not pay any extra fees. The money goes into a Stripe account that you set up, and you can transfer it to your bank account. Hitchd also offers guidance on how to start a cash wedding registry and provides templates to help you write an introduction.
Joy
Joy is a wedding planning platform that offers zero-fee cash funds for wedding registries. It integrates with popular cash-sharing services like Venmo, PayPal, and CashApp, allowing guests to send funds without any transaction fees. Joy also offers a wedding website, planning tools, online RSVPs, guest list tools, and invitations for free. You can set up a cash fund specifically for your honeymoon or add other types of gifts to your registry.
Zola
Zola is a wedding planning platform that offers both traditional and cash gift requests. You can set the amount and designate the funds for honeymoon experiences, gift cards, or other personal goals. Zola uses Venmo for zero-fee payments, but there is a processing fee for credit card contributions. After receiving the funds, couples can transfer them to their bank account or convert them to Zola store credit for a 5% discount. Zola also provides customizable website templates to share with guests.
In addition to these platforms, you can also consider simply skipping the registry altogether, as most people give cash at weddings anyway. You can also create a small registry of physical gifts or gift cards to give guests other options if they are uncomfortable with giving money.
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Honeymoon fund wording
Asking for money towards your honeymoon can be tricky, and it's important to get the wording right. Here are some ideas for how to politely ask for cash for your honeymoon:
Be upfront and transparent
It's important to be clear and direct when asking for honeymoon funds. Guests want to give meaningful presents, so gently guiding them with transparent instructions will ensure they feel comfortable and appreciated. For example, you could say something like:
> "Your presence at our wedding is the best gift we could ask for! If you’d like to contribute to our honeymoon fund, we’d be forever grateful."
"In lieu of gifts"
This is a popular and neutral way to ask for honeymoon funds, and it usually fits any casual or formal invitation style. You could say:
> "As we prepare to embark on our new journey together, your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for. However, if you would like to contribute to our special day, we have created a honeymoon fund instead of registering for traditional gifts. Your donation will help make our honeymoon unforgettable and create memories that will last a lifetime. To contribute, simply visit [insert link to your online honeymoon fund]. Thank you for your love and support."
Use poetry
A fun and creative way to ask for honeymoon funds politely is through poetry. Depending on your wedding style, a poem may resonate more with your guests and make a bigger impression. For example:
> "Roses are red; violets are blue,
> We can’t wait to share our big day with you!
> Afterward, we’ll be on the way,
> To our adventurous honeymoon getaway.
> There are ways to help us take flight,
> Have a spa day or a date night.
> Be a part of our first married trip,
> We’re so excited; we could flip!
> To contribute, simply visit [insert link to online honeymoon fund]."
Be sincere and heartfelt
Let your guests know how much their support means to you. You could say something like:
> "Our elopement was an intimate and beautiful experience, and we are so excited to celebrate with all of you at our upcoming celebration! Since we’ve chosen to keep our wedding simple, we’ve created a honeymoon fund in place of a gift registry. If you’d like to help us make more memories, we’d deeply appreciate your contribution."
Remember, it's essential to choose wording that reflects your personality and relationship and always express gratitude for your guests' generosity and support.
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Frequently asked questions
Some honeymoon fund websites include Honeyfund, Hitchd, Traveler's Joy, SPUR Experiences, The Knot, and Zola.
It is recommended to be as detailed as possible about your honeymoon plans, including the destination, interests, and duration of the trip. It is also a good idea to provide a range of gift options for guests to choose from, including both smaller and larger gifts.
Here are a few examples: "In lieu of gifts, please consider making a contribution to our honeymoon fund", or "We would love to create lifelong memories, instead of receiving physical gifts. Please consider making a contribution to our honeymoon fund."
It is important to consider the fees associated with the website. Some websites may charge a percentage of the total cash gift as a service fee or have other hidden fees. It is also important to ensure that the website is safe and reliable, especially when dealing with money from loved ones.
