Wording Your Wedding Invitation Gift List: Etiquette And Examples

Asking for gifts can be a tricky part of wedding planning. While it's considered bad etiquette to include registry wording on your wedding invitation, it's still important to give your guests a heads-up about your wedding gift wishes. Here are some tips and examples to help you navigate this topic gracefully.

Asking for money instead of gifts

Be Subtle and Polite

It's essential to approach the topic sensitively and politely. Remember that guests want to freely choose their gifts, and some might find it rude to be told that one kind of gift is preferred over another. Here are some subtle ways to guide them towards monetary gifts:

• Include a line on your wedding invitations about gifting or having a 'wishing well'. This is a direct approach, but if phrased carefully, it can be done tastefully.
• Address it on your wedding website. Create an FAQ page to mention gifts, as it will seem like you're addressing the issue due to guest queries.
• Ask friends or family members to spread the word. This option gives you less control, but it can work if you have a subtle and delicate messenger.
• Set up a honeymoon/house deposit/home improvement fund with a gift registry service. Some services allow you to set up a fund, and you can contribute money to a specific goal, like a honeymoon or a new home.

Sample Wording for Invitations

"Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. However, if you wish to honour us with a gift, a cash gift would be very welcome."

"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 kindly request a contribution to our future plans/honeymoon/new home fund."

"We're hoping to create once-in-a-lifetime memories on our honeymoon, and it would mean the world if you could help us make this a reality. There is no pressure to contribute, but if you'd like to, you can find our honeymoon fund details below."

"Your presence at our wedding is gift enough, but should you wish to give a gift as well, a monetary contribution towards our future plans/honeymoon/new home would be greatly appreciated."

"As we've lived together for a while, we don't need many household items. But if you were thinking of a gift, a contribution towards our future/honeymoon/new home fund would be very welcome."

Remember to personalise your requests and funds so that guests know what they are contributing towards. You can also add a selection of physical gifts to your list, as some guests may prefer that option.

Including gift registry details

It is considered bad etiquette to include registry wording on your wedding invitation. Instead, it is recommended to include this information on a separate gift card or a line or two on your information card. Here are some examples of wording for including gift registry details:

"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 [store name]."

"We hope you can join us in celebrating our marriage! Please know that your presence is the best gift you could provide, but should you feel inclined, we have a gift list with [store name]."

"All we really want for our wedding day is for you to be there to celebrate with us, but if you'd like to give us a gift, we have a gift list at [store name]. Our gift list reference is our surname."

"We are 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'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 means more to us than any present. But should you want to buy us a gift, we’ve created our dream wedding gift list at [store name]. Find our list at: [personalised URL]"

Wishing well wording

Wishing wells are a common feature of modern weddings, with many couples choosing to ask for cash gifts or donations instead of traditional household items. Here are some ideas for "wishing well wording" to include on your wedding invitations:

Short and Simple Poems

"Because at first we lived in sin, we've got the sheets and a rubbish bin. A gift from you would be swell, but we'd prefer a donation to our Wishing Well."

"While wedding presents are so nice, your attendance will certainly suffice. But if you wish to give as well, you can donate to our Wishing Well."

"If you were thinking of giving a gift to help us on our way, a gift of cash towards our house would really make our day. However, if you prefer to purchase a gift, feel free to surprise us in your own way."

Longer Poems

"We've been together a few years now; we have pots and pans and linen and towels; we have glasses and toasters, really quite a few; so instead of more gifts, we suggest this to you; if it doesn't offend and it won't send you running; what we would really appreciate is quite simply money; we know choosing gifts can be such a pain; and this way there is no chance of bringing the same."

"Our home is quite complete now, we've been together long. So please consider our request, and do not take us wrong. A delicate request it is, we hope you understand. Please play along, as it will give our married life a hand. The tradition of the wishing well, is one that's known by all. Go to the well, toss in a coin and as the coin does fall, make a wish upon that coin, and careful as you do. For as the well's tradition goes, your wishes will come true."

"We don't want to offend but we have it all, all household goods and so much more. To save you shopping, sit back and rest, a gift of currency is our request. Don't go overboard or rob any banks, any little thing will make us smile with thanks. We supply the wishing well, just pop in an envelope and who can tell?"

Direct Wishing Well Wording

"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."

No gifts required

There are many ways to politely indicate that no gifts are required on your wedding invitations. Here are some suggestions:

Be Direct

It is perfectly acceptable to be straightforward and direct in your wording. Some examples include:

• "Your presence is present enough."
• "Your presence is the gift."
• “We're excited for your presence, not presents. Please, no gifts.”
• "Your presence at our wedding is more important to us than a gift."

Provide Alternative Ways to Celebrate

You can also suggest alternative ways for guests to celebrate your marriage, such as:

• "If you are thinking of giving a gift to help us on our way, a gift of money in a card would really make our day!"
• "If you wish to honour us with a gift, a contribution to our honeymoon would help to create memories that will last a lifetime."
• "We would prefer your presence rather than your presents! However, if you insist, money towards revamping our home would be greatly appreciated."

Express Gratitude

Expressing gratitude and appreciation for your guests' presence can also convey that their attendance is more important than any gifts. Here are some examples:

• "More than anything, we hope that you can make it on the day, so please don't feel obliged in any way."
• "We are sending out this invitation in hope that you will join our celebration. But if a gift is your intention, we would appreciate money for our saving pot. Most importantly, we request that you turn up as our wedding guest."
• "The most important gift to us is having you share in our special day."

Use Humour

If you prefer a light-hearted approach, you can inject some humour into your wording:

• "We've lived together for a while, with all our pots and pans. And as we don't need homely gifts, we've got another plan. We know it's not traditional and not the way it's done, but rather than a wedding list, we'd love a bit of sun. So, if you'd like to send us on our way, a donation to our honeymoon would really make our day."
• "For a couple of years we've lived in sin, we have a toaster, kettle and even a bin. Pots and pans we have many, towels and flannels we don't need any. We just want you with us to celebrate our day, but if you're insisting on a gift anyway, what we'd really like is a gift of money."

Provide Additional Information

You can also include more detailed information about your preferences, such as:

• "Having lived on our own for so long, we've amassed everything we could possibly need for our home. As such, we kindly request no boxed gifts."
• "We do not have a registry as we have all that we need at our home. We know most are travelling from far reaches to join us, so your presence with us in celebration is the most generous gift!"

Remember, it is generally advised to include this information on a separate card or your wedding website, rather than directly on the invitation itself.

Charity donation wording

When it comes to your wedding, you may want to suggest that guests donate to charity instead of giving gifts. Here are some ideas for how to word this request:

"We've recently been asked for gift suggestions by friends and family. Please know that your presence on the day is present enough, but for those who have expressed an interest, we've listed the charities below that are closest to our hearts. A contribution would be most appreciated in lieu of a gift."

"We are blessed with absolutely everything we need for this exciting new chapter! However, for guests who have expressed an interest, we'd love for you to consider a charity donation in lieu of a gift. A wishing well will be set up on the day, with all contributions going to [chosen charity]."

"Friends and family may know we are both incredibly passionate about [chosen cause]. For this reason, we've set up a fund with [chosen charity] in place of a wishing well, for those who have expressed an interest in blessing us with a gift. You can make a donation online here: [link]."

"In lieu of gifts, we wish to spread more love by requesting that guests make a donation to [charity]."

"In lieu of gifts, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice."

"Your presence at our wedding is more important to us than presents! However, if you would like to buy us a gift, we have set up a 'wishing well' for charity donations."

"We hope you can join us in celebrating our marriage! Please know that your presence is the best gift you could give, but should you feel inclined, we would be grateful for a donation to our chosen charity."

Frequently asked questions