Wording Gift Cards For Wedding Invitations: Etiquette And Examples

Wedding invitation wording is a tricky task, especially when it comes to asking for gifts. While it's considered rude to include registry details on the invitation itself, couples can include this information on a separate gift card or information card. It's also common to rely on word of mouth, spread by family members and bridesmaids, to inform guests about gift preferences.

If you're unsure about how to word your gift card, here are some suggestions:

- 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...

- 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.

- 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. After having lived on our own, we have all 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.

How to politely ask for money as a wedding gift

While it may feel awkward to ask for money instead of a physical gift, it is not considered rude to do so. In fact, monetary wedding gifts are quite common across different cultures. For instance, in Korean weddings, guests often present envelopes of cash to the parents of the couple, who then pass the money on to the newlyweds. Similarly, in Chinese weddings, guests give the bride monetary gifts in red envelopes symbolising good luck.

Create a Cash or Honeymoon Registry:

Registering with a cash or honeymoon fund registry website is a clear and polite way to indicate your preference for cash gifts. Most wedding guests are accustomed to gift registries, so this approach feels familiar to them. It also eliminates the awkwardness of having to specify how you would like to receive the money.

Provide a Link to Your Wedding Website:

Include your wedding website link on your invitations, and add a section on the site about your gift preferences. You can write something like, "We'd be over the moon if you'd consider giving money instead of gifts," followed by what you plan to spend the money on.

Mention Your Wishes to Close Friends and Family Members:

Share your gift preferences with your inner circle, and let word-of-mouth take care of the rest. This way, your closest friends and family can field questions from other guests and help spread your message in a more subtle and casual manner.

Talk About How You Plan to Use the Money:

Weave in some of your personal story and let your guests know how you plan to use their contributions. For example, explain that instead of giving a $50 or $100 gift, they are helping you save for your first home or your dream honeymoon. This helps your guests visualise their gift's impact and feel more connected to your plans.

Offer Other Alternatives:

Even if you prefer cash gifts, some guests may still want to offer a physical gift. You can make suggestions for other gift ideas, such as creating a smaller, tailored gift registry with a handful of physical items or featuring gift cards for experiences or products you like.

Have a Card Wishing Well at Your Reception:

Set up a designated table or "wishing well" at your reception for guests who want to bring cash gifts or envelopes with cards. This ensures there is a safe and secure place for guests to leave their contributions.

Use Poems or Creative Wording:

Including a lighthearted poem or creative wording in your invitation can communicate your wishes in a thoughtful and less direct way. It adds a personal and creative touch that reflects your personality as a couple.

• Do not ask for money directly on your wedding invitations. This is considered a wedding etiquette faux pas.
• It is okay to include your wedding website link on your invitations, with gift details on the site.
• Be sure to also create a traditional registry, as some guests may prefer giving physical gifts.
• Always thank your guests for any gifts you receive, whether monetary or physical.

Wording suggestions for wedding invitations

Traditionally, wedding gifts were given by guests to help the new couple set up their home together. Nowadays, however, couples often already live together and may prefer cash gifts or have everything they need.

It can be considered rude to include gift details on the invitation itself, so it is recommended to include this information on a separate gift card or information card. Here are some suggestions for wording your gift card or information card:

• "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..."
• "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."
• "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 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."
• "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 have a wedding website, this is a good place to include gift information, particularly if you have a registry or honeymoon fund. Here are some suggestions for wording:

• "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]."

If you are not requesting gifts, you can simply omit gift details from your invitation. Alternatively, you could include a line such as "Your presence is present enough".

How to address wedding thank-you cards

After the wedding, it's important to send thank-you cards to your guests promptly, to show your appreciation. Here are some tips for addressing your wedding thank-you cards:

• Envelope Addressing -- Address the envelopes formally, including titles and last names (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.), even if they are close friends or family. This is consistent with how you addressed your wedding invitations.
• Interior Addressing -- On the inside of the card, you can be informal and address your guests by their first names. Include all individuals who attended or whose names were signed on the gift card.
• No Gift Received -- If you didn't receive a gift, still send a note expressing your appreciation for their presence in celebrating your special day.
• Handwritten -- Thank-you notes should always be handwritten. This shows that you took the time to personally write a thoughtful message.
• Avoid Abbreviations -- Avoid using abbreviations and always sign your full names. An extra special touch is for both spouses to add their own signatures.
• Stamps -- Be sure to use individual stamps on each envelope (avoid prepaid postage or postage meters).
• Timeliness -- It is considered good etiquette to send out thank-you cards within two to three months of the wedding. For gifts received before the wedding, send thank-you notes within two weeks.

What to include on your wedding invitation

Wedding invitations should include the following elements:

• A request to come to the wedding
• The names of the couple
• Reception information

The request to attend

There are many ways to ask for the pleasure of your guests' company. Here are a few options:

• "The pleasure of your company"
• "At the marriage of their children"
• "Would love for you to join them"
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "The honour of your presence"

The British spelling of "honour" traditionally indicates the ceremony will be held in a church or another house of worship.

The names of the couple

If their names haven't been included in the host line, the couple's names should still take centre stage a few lines down. Traditionally, the bride's name always precedes the groom's name. For same-sex couples, the traditional rule of the woman first and man second isn't applicable. Alphabetical order or what sounds better are good options.

Reception information

Very formal invitations include this information on a separate card. Otherwise, it can be printed on the wedding invitation itself if there is room. Include the time if the wedding reception is not immediately following the ceremony.

Gift cards

It is considered bad etiquette to include registry details on your wedding invitation. It is your wedding day, not an invitation to buy you a gift. It is more commonplace and proper etiquette to include the URL for your wedding website on your invitation, where guests can RSVP and find more details, including your wedding registry.

If you would like to include gift card information, it is recommended to include this on a separate gift card or a line or two on your information card. 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 list [of gift suggestions] has been registered with..."

If you are asking for money, you could say:

> "We are extremely lucky to have love, laughter and a house full of furniture, so if you'd like to help us celebrate with a gift, we've set up a honeymoon fund at (details here)."

How to word your wedding RSVP card

The wording of your wedding RSVP card is a simpler task than the invitation. Here’s what you’ll need to include:

• RSVP date: The first piece of information on the card is the reply-by date, which is typically three to four weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to get a final headcount for the caterer and to finalise your seating chart.
• Remember to keep the wording consistent with the invitation. For example, “the favour of a reply” typically matches the invitation wording “the honour of your presence.” For less formal wedding invitation wording, such as “request the pleasure of your company,” the RSVP wording would typically be “Kindly reply by” or “Kindly respond by.”
• Guest(s) names: Next is a line for guests to write their names, along with checkboxes for accepting or declining the invitation.
• Most traditional weddings use the “M” line to indicate the place where guests will write in their names. The “M” itself is meant to designate the first letter of the formal salutation (Mr., Mrs., Miss or Ms.) that the guest would write along with their name(s). For less formal celebrations, we suggest the more straightforward “Name(s)” instead.
• Additional information you can include: Meal choices, along with checkboxes or illustrated icons, and a song-request line such as, “We promise to dance if you play __________.”

If the ceremony and reception are held at the same venue, include the line “Reception to follow” at the bottom of the invitation. However, if the reception is held at a different location, it should be treated as a separate event – include a separate reception card with the event details as part of the invitation suite.

Frequently asked questions