Franklin Dean
Honeymoons are often a couple's first adventure together as newlyweds, and many couples dream of an unforgettable experience. However, planning a honeymoon can be financially challenging, and this is where honeymoon funds or registries come in. While some may question the etiquette of asking for monetary contributions, many modern couples and guests find this option convenient and meaningful. This introduction will explore the topic of honeymoon funds and gift registries, discussing their advantages, potential pitfalls, and ways to navigate the experience tastefully.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Honeymoon and gift registry | Honeyfund, Hitchd |
| Fees | Zero fees, no strings, no complications |
| Amount | $100 was the average gift amount in 2018, $110 in 2019 |
| Purpose | Funding experiences, not things |
| Guests | Guests can contribute to specific events, activities, or parts of the trip |
| Communication | Couples should make it clear that contributing is optional |
| Story | Couples should share their story to engage guests and encourage contributions |
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What You'll Learn
Honeymoon fund websites and fees
There are several honeymoon fund websites that allow couples to register for a variety of travel-related cash funds, romantic excursions, and even new cameras to capture their memories. These websites offer different features and fee structures, so it's important to choose one that best suits your needs. Here are some popular options:
- Honeyfund: This is a free honeymoon registry and the number one cash wedding gift registry. It doesn't charge setup fees, guest fees, or redemption fees for couples using PayPal or Venmo.
- Hitchd: This website allows couples to create a personalised registry with a welcome message, profile photo, and cover photo. It also provides a recommended contribution amount feature, which is tastefully pre-configured to guide guests. While the sign-up is free, there may be fees for gift redemptions.
- Traveler's Joy: This website offers free sign-up, customisation options, and 100% free gift redemptions in the US. It also has no upgrade fees.
- SPUR Experiences: This website is linked with The Knot and offers free sign-up. It allows guests to make partial purchases for gifts over $100, splitting the cost into 10 partial payments.
- WithJoy: This website integrates with Venmo and does not collect fees on honeymoon funds. It offers a wide range of "experiences" that guests can choose to add to the honeymoon.
- Honeymoon Wishes: This website is free to create but has service and handling fees depending on the fund request method: 3.5% for direct funds transfer and 7% for a check. There is also a 2.5% credit card processing fee for guests.
When choosing a honeymoon fund website, it is important to consider the fees involved, the customisation options available, and the ease of use for both couples and guests. Additionally, providing detailed information about your trip and a clear description of your wishes can make guests feel more engaged and excited about contributing to your honeymoon fund.
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Asking for money as a gift
Asking for money as a wedding gift is becoming more and more common, and there are many ways to do so politely and creatively. While some couples are happy to receive traditional gifts, others would prefer cash to spend however they like. However, many couples don't feel comfortable discussing this directly with their guests. Here are some ways to ask for money as a gift:
Use a Honeymoon Fund Website
You can set up a honeymoon fund with a gift registry service, where guests can contribute money towards your honeymoon. This is a simple and beautiful way to fund memories, not things. Some websites allow you to personalise your registry with a welcome message, profile photo, and cover photo, making it more unique and engaging for your guests.
Include a Poem in Your Wedding Invitations
A lighthearted poem is a creative and elegant way to ask for money instead of gifts. It adds a personal and creative touch to your invitations and can spark joy and excitement among your guests. Here are some examples:
"If you're considering a gift, a little cash would help us start our new adventure together!"
"As we're getting married, we thought it would be great, To move into a brand new home — we really can't wait! As wedding gifts are bulky and we're a little short on space, Some money would be the ideal gift to help us buy our place!"
"We've just moved home and have filled it with stuff, From books to sofas, we've certainly got enough! Instead of more wine glasses, we'd really love some cash, So that we can book a perfect honeymoon and head off in a dash."
Ask Friends and Family to Spread the Word
You can ask friends or family members to subtly spread the word that you would prefer monetary gifts. However, this option gives you less control, and there is a risk of offending guests if not handled delicately.
Provide Details About How the Money Will Be Used
It is now quite normal to ask for money, and guests, especially older family members, may feel more comfortable with the request if you specify how you plan to use the cash. Whether it's for your honeymoon, a house deposit, or home improvements, providing details will make your request more personal and engaging for your guests.
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Telling your story to increase guest engagement
Honeyfund is a gift registry that helps couples make their dream honeymoons a reality with financial contributions from friends and family. It is the only gift registry that allows couples to create a registry reflecting their unique interests and priorities, be it experiences or material items for starting a new home. Couples can customize their website with details about their love story, wedding day, and registry, and guests can easily find and contribute to the registry.
Honeymoon registries, such as Honeyfund and Hitchd, offer couples a unique opportunity to tell their story and engage guests. By providing more details about their trip and showcasing their personalities, couples can increase guest excitement and contribution amounts. It is recommended to personalize the registry with a clear and descriptive welcome message, profile photo, and cover photo. Couples can also add a recommended contribution amount as guidance for guests, with an average gift amount of $100 per guest in 2018.
To make the registry more interactive and exciting, couples can create a range of 20-50 gifts, from small to big, with a variety of price ranges. For example, a general honeymoon fund can be paired with smaller specific funds like "Dinner in Kyoto" or "Tour of X location." This approach ensures that guests don't feel forced to contribute large amounts and allows couples to offer experiences instead of material items.
Additionally, couples can start with a handful of gifts and add more detailed ones later, even after the honeymoon fund registry is published. It is essential to keep the gift goal amount equal to or higher than the expected contribution per person, so guests feel comfortable contributing within their budget. Couples should also ensure that the registry platform is safe and reliable, with no hidden fees or forced upgrades.
By sharing their story and creating a personalized and engaging registry, couples can increase guest excitement and contribution to their honeymoon fund, setting the stage for incredible memories and a unique life together.
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Creating a wedding website
There are several platforms that allow you to create a wedding website, including Wix, Squarespace, and popular wedding-specific sites like Zola, The Knot, and WithJoy. These sites offer various features, such as custom domain names, password protection, RSVP management, and gift registries. Some sites even offer budget tools to help you plan your special day.
When creating your website, consider including a clear and descriptive welcome message, profile photo, and cover photo. You can also add fun stories and details about your honeymoon plans to engage your guests and make them feel excited about contributing to your fund. It is a good idea to provide a recommended contribution amount to guide your guests in a tasteful way.
Additionally, you can use your wedding website to share important information with your guests, such as directions, accommodations, dress code, and even custom pages for each guest or couple with details about their activities, flights, and room blocks. This will help to simplify the planning process for you and your guests, reducing the number of texts and emails you receive with questions.
Overall, a well-designed wedding website can be a beautiful and informative resource for your guests, providing them with a seamless experience that matches your wedding theme and invitations.
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Gift options and price ranges
When it comes to gift options and price ranges for your honeymoon registry, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to provide a range of options to cater to different budgets and preferences. Aim for a variety of 20 to 50 gifts, with a mix of smaller and more substantial offerings. This way, your guests can choose what suits them best without feeling pressured or guilty.
For smaller gifts, consider specific activities or experiences that you'd like to enjoy on your honeymoon. For example, dinner at a particular restaurant, passes to an attraction like Tokyo Disneyland or the Osaka Aquarium, or a special tour. These gifts can be priced at varying levels, ensuring inclusivity. You can also add a general fund for these experiences, allowing guests to contribute any amount they wish.
For more substantial gifts, think about the bigger expenses, such as flights and accommodation. These are often considered big-ticket items, and guests typically understand that they are contributing to a portion of these costs. You can use an input slider to allow guests to choose how much they wish to give towards these larger expenses.
It's worth noting that the average gift contribution per person was $110 in 2018, up from $100 in 2017. Setting a recommended contribution amount can be helpful, and it's suggested to keep this amount equal to or higher than what you hope to receive per person. However, be mindful not to set the recommended amount too high, as anything over $100 might be seen as rude or pretentious.
Additionally, some guests may still prefer to give physical gifts, so having a small, separate registry for these can be a good idea. This could include items for your home, such as kitchen essentials, or other must-haves to start your married life together.
Remember, the key is to provide a range of options that suit different budgets and to ensure your guests feel engaged and excited about contributing to your dream honeymoon.
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Frequently asked questions
It's not rude to have a honeymoon fund, but some guests may still prefer to give physical gifts. You can have both a general honeymoon fund and smaller specific funds to give guests a variety of price ranges to choose from.
Make your registry as personalised as possible by adding a clear and descriptive welcome message, a profile photo, and a cover photo. You could also provide more details about your trip to engage your guests and make them feel excited about contributing.
Honeyfund is a popular honeymoon fund website with no fees. Hitchd is another option that allows you to set a recommended contribution amount to guide your guests.
It's considered poor etiquette to provide little or no options for guests, so aim for a range of 20-50 gifts. You can have a mix of small and big gifts, with the more expensive ones like flights and accommodation being contributed to by multiple guests.
The recommended amount should be based on what you are hoping to receive per person. In 2018, the average gift contribution was $110, up from $100 in 2017. Setting the recommended amount to $100 or less can help avoid making your guests feel pressured or guilty about not giving enough.
