Wording Your Wedding Gift Registry: Etiquette And Examples

Wedding gift-giving has been a long-standing tradition, with the purpose of helping newlyweds set up their home together. While traditional gifts are becoming less common, couples now have a variety of alternative options, from online registries to wishing wells and charity donations. Communicating your preferences to your guests can be tricky, especially when it comes to including this information on your wedding invitations. To help you navigate this, we've put together a guide on how to word your gift registry details in a thoughtful and gracious manner. From wedding websites to bridal shower invitations, discover the dos and don'ts of sharing your registry wishes with your loved ones.

Including registry information on wedding invitations

Instead, you can include an informational insert in the envelope with a link to your wedding website, which is a much more subtle approach. It is also common to include RSVP cards, reception cards, and wedding programs in the same envelope as your wedding invitation, so the additional stationery won't be questioned.

Your wedding website is the communication hub for all your wedding details, so it makes sense to use this as the primary place for listing registry information. Most wedding website templates offer a "registry" tab, which is the perfect place for engaged couples to list their registry information.

• "We're looking forward to celebrating with you on our big day. Having you attend our wedding is the greatest gift of all, however, if you're looking for wedding gift ideas, we've registered here for things that we need to outfit our home: [insert details]."
• "We're moving in together for the first time after the big day, so we've put together a gift registry of things we need to complete our home and for our new life together. You can find our wish list at [insert details]."
• "Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for! If you would like to honour us with a gift, we have registered a list with [insert details]. Gift cards to [insert details] are also appreciated, as we are moving into a new home after the wedding."
• "We're thrilled that you're coming to celebrate with us—and that's the best gift of all! But, if you'd like to help us spruce up our place, you can find our registry at [insert details]."
• "We are lucky enough to already have nearly everything we need for this new chapter together! However, for friends and family who have expressed an interest, we have created a gift registry for your convenience here: [link]."
• "Celebrating with you on our special day is the only gift we require. However, for your convenience, we have registered at [store name] for the items we’d find the most useful as we prepare for married life! You can view our registry here: [link]."

Wording for wedding websites

Your wedding website is the go-to place for guests to find information about your wedding, so it makes sense to include your registry details here. Most wedding website templates offer a dedicated registry tab, which is the perfect place to list your registry information. You can also include the details in the "Wedding Details" section of your website.

When it comes to wording, it's important to remember that you can't force guests to buy you a gift. Keep your language warm and appreciative, making it clear that a gift is not necessary or expected. Here are some examples:

"We are lucky enough to already have nearly everything we need for this new chapter together! However, for friends and family who have expressed an interest, we have created a gift registry for your convenience here: (link)"

"Celebrating with you on our special day is the only gift we require. However, for your convenience, we have registered at (store name) for the items we’d find the most useful as we prepare for married life! You can view our registry here: (link)"

"Please know that your presence at our wedding is present enough! However, for friends and family who have been asking for gift ideas, we’ve created an online registry with (store name) here: (link)"

If you're looking for something more light-hearted and creative, you could try a poem! Here's an example:

"They have their dishes and towels for two

They have pots and pans and oven mitts too

So what do you get for the bride and groom

Whose house is set up in every room?

Their house needs repairs and some upgrades, too

But you cannot register for carpet and glue.

A honey fund list is the way to go

So let's make it easy—so everyone knows.

A wish list we offer for those who so choose,

To give a unique gift to the bride and groom."

Remember, it's best to avoid mentioning gifts on your wedding invitations. Instead, include a link to your wedding website, where guests can find all the information they need.

Wording for wedding shower invitations

Traditionally, wedding gift-giving was one of the most important elements of a wedding, with gifts intended to help the couple start their new life together. Nowadays, there are many alternative options for gifts, from online registries to wishing wells and charity donations.

If you are hosting a bridal shower, it is customary to include a link or note to the registry on the invitation. This is because bridal showers are all about gift-giving, and guests will want and need to know what to buy.

> "The couple is registered at [store name]. You can find their gift registry online at [insert URL] or in-store with the registry ID: [insert ID number]."

> "[Couple's names] are registered at [store name]. Their gift registry can be found online at [insert URL] or in the store with their registry ID: [insert ID number]."

> "The happy couple has registered at [store name]. You can find their gift list online at [insert URL] or in-store with the registry ID: [insert ID number]."

> "We are so excited to celebrate [couple's names] and their upcoming wedding! They have registered at [store name] and you can find their gift registry online at [insert URL] or in-store."

> "Your presence at the wedding shower is a gift in itself! However, if you wish to honour the couple with a gift, they have registered at [store name]. You can find their gift list at [insert URL] or in-store with the registry ID: [insert ID number]."

It is also common for couples to set up a honeymoon fund or cash fund instead of a traditional registry. Here is an example of wording for this scenario:

> "We know it's not traditional, it's not the way it's done. Instead of a wedding list, we'd like a bit of sun. We've lived together quite a while, and all the bills are paid. We've got our plates, our pots and pans, our plans have all been made. So if you'd like to give a gift to help us celebrate, something towards our honeymoon fund would be appreciated!"

Communicating registry preferences

Wedding Website Registry Wording

Your wedding website is the perfect place to share your registry details. Most wedding website templates offer a dedicated registry tab, making it easy for guests to find. When writing about your registry, be authentic, gracious, and helpful. Here are some key points to consider:

• Emphasise that their presence at the wedding is the greatest gift.
• Mention that you are moving in together for the first time or setting up your home together, so gifts would be appreciated.
• Provide the registry link or details clearly.
• Keep the wording warm and appreciative, and avoid any sense of expectation or entitlement.

"We're looking forward to celebrating with you on our big day. Having you at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. If you're looking for gift ideas, we've registered here for things to outfit our home: [insert details]."

"Your presence at our wedding means the world to us. We've already lived together for a while, so we've registered for some experiences and upgrades to our home. You can find our wish list here: [insert details]."

Bridal Shower or Wedding Shower Invitations

Bridal showers and wedding showers are all about gift-giving, so including registry information on the invitations is perfectly appropriate. You can include a simple line on the invitation or add a separate insert with the registry details. Here are some examples:

"The happy couple has registered at [insert store name]. You can find their gift list online at [insert URL] or in-store with registry ID: [insert ID]."

"The couple is registered at Honeyfund. You can find their gift registry online at [insert URL]."

Word of Mouth

Informing guests about your registry preferences through word of mouth is a traditional and effective approach. Share your registry details with your immediate family, close friends, and wedding party, and they can spread the word to anyone who asks. Here's an example:

"We're very excited about our honeymoon to [destination]. We would greatly appreciate contributions to our Honeyfund instead of traditional gifts."

No Gifts Required

If you decide not to have any gifts, it's important to communicate this clearly and concisely. Mention that their presence and celebration are all you need. Here are some examples:

"We are so grateful for your effort to join us in [destination]. Your presence is your present, so please, no gifts!"

"We've been blessed with so much already. Sharing our special day with our favourite people is all we could ask for!"

Remember, the key to communicating registry preferences is to be gracious, tactful, and mindful of your guests' feelings. Provide clear information without making them feel obligated to bring a gift.

No gifts required wording

It is considered bad etiquette to include registry wording on your wedding invitation. Instead, you can include an informational insert in the envelope with a link to your wedding website. Here are some "no gifts required" wording examples to draw inspiration from:

> We are so incredibly thankful for the effort you'll be making to join us for our special day in [destination]. Your presence is your present, so please, no gifts!

> We are lucky enough to have everything we need for this new chapter together, so please, no gifts required! Simply bring yourself and your dancing shoes – we can't wait to party with you!

> We have been overwhelmed with generosity since our engagement party, so for this reason, we politely request no gifts. Sharing our special day with our favourite people in the world is the best gift we could ask for!

> We are excited for your presence, not presents. Please, no gifts.

> Your presence is truly enough, no gifts please.

> We are sending out this invitation in hope that you will join our celebration. But if a gift is your intention, may we take this opportunity to mention that we have already got a kettle and toaster, crockery, dinner mats and matching coasters, so rather than something we have already got, we would be grateful for something for our saving pot. But most importantly, we request that you turn up as our wedding guest.

Frequently asked questions