Wording Your Wedding Registry: Etiquette And Examples For Invites

Wedding gift-giving is a time-honoured tradition, with the ritual dating back centuries. The purpose of a wedding gift is to help the happy couple set up their new home and begin married life together. However, in today's world, there are many alternative options available, from online registries to wishing wells and even charity donations. Whatever you decide, communication is key to giving your guests a heads-up before the wedding.

One of the most common questions surrounding wedding planning is whether or not to include registry information on the invitations. While some couples opt to include registry or website links on invitation inserts, traditional etiquette suggests avoiding direct mention of registries on the main invitation. Instead, it is recommended to include an informational insert in the envelope with a link to your wedding website, where guests can find registry details.

Wedding Website Registry Wording

Be Genuine and Heartfelt:

When communicating your gift preferences on your wedding website, remember that your guests genuinely want to celebrate your special day with meaningful gifts. Be authentic, gracious, and heartfelt in your message. Let them know that their presence at your wedding is the greatest gift of all, but if they wish to honour you with a gift, you have provided some options.

Provide Clear and Concise Information:

Include a dedicated "Registry" or "Wedding Details" tab on your wedding website, where guests can easily find your registry information. Provide links to your online registries or wish lists, making it convenient for guests to access them. Ensure that your wording is clear and concise, leaving no room for confusion.

Examples of Wedding Website Registry 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 gift ideas, we've registered here for things that we need to outfit our home: [insert registry link]."

"We're moving in together for the first time after the wedding, so we've put together a gift registry of things we need to complete our home and our new life together. You can find our wish list at [insert registry link]."

"Your presence at our wedding means the world to us, and we wouldn't be here without you. If you wish to give a gift, we would be truly grateful for contributions towards our home down payment, where we can start our married life together. [insert registry link]."

"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, feel free to check out our registry: [insert registry link]."

"We already have most of the physical items we need, but we're saving up for a dream honeymoon! If you'd like to contribute to our adventure, we have a honeymoon fund set up here: [insert registry link]."

Remember, it's essential to avoid mentioning registry information directly on your wedding invitations. Instead, include a link to your wedding website, where guests can find all the necessary details, including your registry information.

Bridal Shower Invitations and Registry Information

Bridal showers are intended to shower the couple with gifts, so adding your registry information to the bridal shower invitation is entirely appropriate. Here are some ways to word the registry information on your bridal shower invitations:

Keep it Short and Sweet

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].

Include a Poem

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 "honeyfund"

We would appreciate!

Include a Simple Line

"The couple is registered at [insert registry name]."

"The happy couple has registered at [insert registry name]. You can find their gift registry online at [insert URL]."

Insert Cards

Some gift registry retailers provide the couple with gift registry cards that have the registry ID number and URL printed on them—these can be inserted into the invitation by the wedding shower host. Alternatively, you can order custom insert cards online, which offer more flexibility in design and allow for helpful custom elements like QR codes.

Spread the Word

Before the advent of wedding websites, guests learned about registries by asking the bride or groom's family, close friends, and attendants. This tradition is still relevant today, so be sure to share the registry details with your immediate family, bridesmaids, and groomsmen, and let them know they can spread the word on your behalf.

No Gifts Required Wording

When it comes to wedding invites, it can be tricky to navigate the wording to reflect your wishes. Here are some ideas for "No Gifts Required Wording" that are direct yet polite:

Emphasising Presence Over Presents:

• Your presence at our wedding is more important to us than a gift. However, if you wish to contribute, we would appreciate money towards our honeymoon.
• Your presence is present enough, but if you wish to give a gift, a contribution towards our honeymoon would be appreciated.
• We want you to know that your presence, not your presents, is important to us. But if you wish to bless us with a gift, we would appreciate money towards our honeymoon.
• We would prefer your presence rather than your presents! However, if you insist, money towards revamping our home would be wonderful.
• We would love to accept your present, but we don't have room for many gifts. Please give us the gift of your presence instead.
• Your presence is truly enough, no gifts please.
• We are sending out this invitation in the hope that you will join our celebration. Your company is all we wish for, but if you feel inclined to give a gift, a contribution towards our future together would be appreciated.

Humorous Approach:

• We've lived together for a while, with all our pots and pans. We have a toaster, kettle and even a bin! So, if you're thinking of giving us a gift, we'd appreciate a small donation to our honeymoon fund.
• We've already got a kettle and a toaster, crockery, dinner mats and matching coasters. So, rather than something we already have, we'd be grateful for a contribution to our savings.
• We've lived in sin for a couple of years, with all our pots and pans. We just want you with us to celebrate our day, but if you're insisting on a gift, we'd appreciate a gift of money.

Direct Approach:

• No gifts, please.
• Please, no gifts. Instead, consider making a donation to your favourite charity.
• In lieu of gifts, we would appreciate a contribution to our honeymoon fund.
• In lieu of gifts, please consider making a donation to our chosen charity.
• In lieu of wrapped gifts, we would appreciate a donation to our future fund.

Charity Donation Wording

If you're planning on asking for charity donations instead of wedding gifts, it's important to be thoughtful with your charity wedding registry wording. Here are some ideas for how to word your invitations or wedding website to make such a request:

Emphasise Your Guests' Presence as a Gift

A polite way to ask for charity donations is to emphasise that their presence at your wedding is a gift in itself. 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 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."

Mention Why the Charity is Meaningful to You

It can be a good idea to explain why the charity (or charities) you've chosen is important to you. This can help your guests understand why you're passionate about the cause and may encourage them to contribute. For example:

• "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]."
• "If a parent fought heart disease or breast cancer, it might be an obvious decision to consider organisations who support these causes. Or, perhaps you regularly volunteer at a local shelter or feel very driven to fight social injustices in the world."

Provide Clear Instructions

Make sure you give your guests clear instructions on how to donate. For example, you could say:

• "You can make a donation online here: [link]."
• "If you'd prefer, you can bring a cheque written out to our organisation of choice to the reception. We will have a nicely decorated box set up for donations."

Remember, it's not considered polite to make a direct request for charity donations. Instead, communicate the relevant details via your wedding website while ultimately giving your loved ones the option to donate.

Wishing Well Wording

A "wishing well" at a wedding is a way to ask for cash gifts, which have become more common as many couples now live together before marriage and already have most of the homeware they need.

Poems

We're tying the knot and we just can't wait,

We knew it would happen on our very first date.

As we've got our home dressed up with accessories,

We don't really think that a gift registry is necessary.

But if you did want to give something to help us on our way,

Some money in a card would truly make our day!

A wishing well card box will be at our wedding reception.

Direct Requests

Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. However, should you wish to honour us with a gift, a wishing well will be available at the reception for your contribution and best wishes.

We truly appreciate your presence at our wedding and do not expect gifts. However, those who would like to honour us with a gift and are looking for inspiration can visit: http://www.registry.com.au

Indirect Requests

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're on our way to [destination] for a romantic honeymoon, a holiday for us to share that hasn't come too soon. So, if you're thinking of a gift and you're not sure what to get, a gift of cash would help us most to get us on that jet. But most of all, we'd love you there on our special date, to share our happiness and help us celebrate.

Frequently asked questions