Wording Your Wedding Invitation: Etiquette For Registry Information

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's considered bad etiquette to include registry details. This is because you're inviting guests to celebrate with you, not asking them for gifts. Instead, it's more common to include registry information on a wedding website, by word of mouth, or on a wedding shower invitation.

If you're creating a wedding website, you can include a Wedding Registry section with a link to your registry. This way, guests can easily find the information if they're looking for gift ideas. It's also a good idea to keep the wording warm and appreciative, making it clear that gifts are not expected or required.

How to include registry information on wedding invitations

Including registry information on a wedding invitation is considered bad etiquette. Instead, it is more appropriate to include this information on a wedding website, by word of mouth, or on a wedding shower invitation.

Wedding Website Registry Wording:

• "We have registered at [insert store name], and our registry number is [insert number]."
• "You can view our registry online at [insert URL]."
• "We have also registered for [insert another type of gift, like cash or experiences]. Please visit our website or [insert other instructions] if you would like to contribute."
• "Thank you so much for your support and generosity!"

Wedding Invite Registry Wording:

If you choose to include registry information in your invitations, keep it short and sweet. List a couple of different stores where guests can find your registry, giving guests options and making it easy for them to find what they need.

• "Joe and Jane are registered at Target, Amazon, and West Elm."
• "For more wedding details, visit our website: www.ourwedding.com."
• "You can find our registry at www.ourregistry.com."

Bridal Shower Registry Wording:

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

No Gifts Required Wording:

• "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've been blessed with a comfortable home and all the essentials, so please don't feel obligated to give us a gift. Your attendance at our wedding is present enough!"

Remember, the key is to be authentic, gracious, and helpful when communicating your registry details.

How to politely ask for cash gifts

Asking for cash gifts for your wedding can be done politely and tastefully. Here are some ideas on how to do so:

Use your wedding website

Your wedding website is a great place to provide more details about your preferences for cash gifts. You can explain why you've registered for cash and how you plan to use the funds. For example, you could say: "Your presence at our wedding is enough of a gift, but should you wish to buy us something, we'd greatly appreciate a contribution towards our [honeymoon/house deposit/renovations/etc.]." Be sure to include a section for your "registry" and share details so that guests understand why monetary gifts are preferred.

Ask family and friends to spread the word

Let your close family and friends know that you would prefer cash gifts and encourage them to tactfully spread the word. Chances are, guests will ask them for gift suggestions, and they can then suggest contributing to your savings fund for a specific goal, such as a honeymoon or a new home.

Set up a cash registry or honeymoon fund

Consider using a gift registry service that offers the option to set up a cash fund. This way, guests can contribute money towards a specific goal, such as your honeymoon or a house deposit. Some popular options include Honeyfund and Zola. This approach allows you to communicate your wishes in a way that is well-received by guests.

Be specific about how you'll use the cash

Letting guests know how you plan to use the money helps them feel more connected to your plans. For example, if you're renovating your home or moving, share those details on your wedding website. Adding a personal touch by sharing the story of your project can also serve as a plea for help that guests will be more inclined to answer.

Designate a place for cards at the reception

Not all guests will feel comfortable sending cash gifts virtually, so set up a wedding card box at the reception for monetary donations. This "wishing well" approach is a great way to keep track of monetary donations and makes writing thank-you notes easier.

While it's considered acceptable to ask for cash gifts, it's important to do so politely and thoughtfully. Avoid requesting money directly on your wedding invitations, as it may come across as presumptuous or greedy. Instead, use the suggestions above to guide your guests towards cash gifts while maintaining good etiquette.

How to ask for physical gifts

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's considered bad etiquette to include registry wording on the invitation itself. Instead, it's more appropriate to include the address of your wedding website on an insert card within your invitation suite, where guests can find more details, including your registry.

Wedding Website Registry Wording:

Your wedding website is the perfect place to include registry information. Most website templates offer a "Registry" or "Wedding Details" tab, which is where you can include your registry link and a short message. Here are some ideas 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 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've 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 honor 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."

Bridal Shower Registry Wording:

If you have a bridal shower, it's appropriate to include registry information on the invitations. Keep the wording short and sweet, such as:

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

Wishing Well Wording:

If you prefer cash gifts, you can set up a wishing well at your reception or an online cash registry. Here are some ideas for wording on your wedding website:

• "Your love and company on our wedding day is the only present we require! If you do wish to honor us with a gift, however, a contribution toward our wishing well would be much appreciated."
• "We've lived together for so long, and we've amassed everything we could possibly need for our home. As such, we kindly request no boxed gifts. If you wish to give a gift, a contribution to our honeymoon fund would be warmly appreciated: [insert link]."
• "After spending nearly 10 years together, we are lucky to already have everything we need! However, for those who wish to bless us with a gift, a wishing well will be present at our reception."

No Gifts Required Wording:

If you've decided to opt for no gifts, you can mention this on your wedding website. Here are some examples:

• "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've been overwhelmed with generosity since our engagement party, so for this reason, we politely request no gifts. Sharing our special day with our favorite people in the world is the best gift we could ask for!"

Remember, it's essential to strike a gracious and appreciative tone when asking for gifts. You don't want to give the impression that gifts are required or that you're fishing for presents. Be sure to also include a sentence or two about how much you're looking forward to celebrating with your guests.

How to direct guests to your wedding website

A wedding website is a great way to provide your guests with all the information they need for your big day. It's also a good way to avoid receiving hundreds of text messages from guests before the wedding. Here are some tips on how to direct your guests to your wedding website:

Include the URL on your invitations or save-the-dates

If you're sending out physical invitations or save-the-dates, you can include the URL to your wedding website on an additional insert card. Alternatively, you could include the URL discreetly at the bottom of your invitations. If you're sending online invitations, your guests will be able to click the link directly.

Share via email or e-card

If you're using a wedding website builder with a built-in guest list, you can send all your guests an email or e-card with the link to your website. This is a good way to announce any changes to your plans and keep your guests updated.

Keep your URL simple and memorable

Creating a custom URL for your wedding website will make it easier for your guests to remember and type into a search bar. Try including your first names or future surname, for example: "HarryLovesSally" or "TheFutureJohnsons".

Include a password, if necessary

If your wedding website is password-protected, keep the password simple and memorable for your guests, such as your wedding date.

Make your website mobile-friendly

Your guests will likely be accessing your wedding website on their phones or tablets, so it's important to ensure that your website is mobile-friendly.

Include a welcome message

Your welcome message is the first thing your guests will see when they visit your website. Keep it simple and direct, and include some basic information about what they can find on the site. For example: "Welcome to our wedding website! We can't wait to share our special day with you. Here, you'll find all the information you need about our big day, including travel recommendations, accommodation suggestions, and our gift registry."

How to communicate registry details via word of mouth

While it's considered bad etiquette to include registry wording on your wedding invitation, you can still spread the word about your registry details via word of mouth. Here are some tips and examples to help you communicate your registry preferences effectively:

Enlist Your VIPs:

Share your registry details with your immediate family, bridesmaids, and groomsmen. Let them know they can spread the word on your behalf. They can inform other guests when asked about gift preferences.

Be Clear and Concise:

When sharing your registry information verbally, keep it short, simple, and clear. For example, you can say, "We're registered at [store name]." or "You can find our registry online at [website URL]."

Provide Context:

When sharing your registry details, provide some context to make it more meaningful. For instance, you can say, "We're moving into a new home and would appreciate gifts to help us get started." or "We're saving up for our dream honeymoon, so we've set up a honeymoon fund."

Express Gratitude:

Remember to express your gratitude when communicating your registry preferences. For example, "Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift, but if you wish to honour us with a gift, we'd be grateful for contributions towards our new home."

Offer Alternatives:

It's a good idea to offer alternatives or mention if you prefer monetary gifts. For instance, "We're hoping to save up for a down payment on our first home, so we'd appreciate any monetary gifts towards that goal. But of course, your presence at our wedding is the most important gift."

Be Mindful of Tone:

When sharing your registry details, be mindful of the tone you use. Choose words that fit the style of your wedding. For a formal wedding, opt for kind and classy phrases like, "With thanks, we kindly request your presence and any gifts from our registry." For a more casual wedding, light and fun wording works well, such as, "We've got a list of fun stuff if you're thinking of getting us a gift!"

Frequently asked questions