How to ask for cash instead of wedding gifts in 2022
The past couple years have turned a lot of wedding traditions and wedding registry etiquette upside down — and here at Offbeat Bride, we’re here for it! If you’ve got questions about how to do a cash registry in 2022, we’ve got answers. Because while a lot has changed, you still want to be polite and respectful…
The evolving etiquette around asking wedding guests for money
The Atlantic recently interviewed me for an article about Stag & Doe parties, known as “Jack and Jill” parties: The Pre-wedding Parties Where Couples Charge Admission. Julie and I got into a huge conversation about the issue, and of course very little of it made it into the finished article (because she had a lot of ground to cover!), but I got The Atlantic’s permission to share the conversation here….
Want to register for an adventure? Here’s the perfect blend of an experience registry and a physical gift
Y’all know we are all about experience gifts instead of more stuff we don’t need. That’s why honeymoon registries, cash registries, and registering for experiences is one of the most flexible ways to receive wedding gifts you’ll actually use. Instead of a toaster or a slow cooker, you can get parasailing in Bali. Instead of towels, you can have wine tasting in Italy. But sometimes your guests would rather get you something you can hold or that they can see you open. That’s where this new kind of gift registry comes in…
How do we clearly communicate that we want NO wedding gifts?
When it comes to gift-giving, the general consensus among my peers is that you give what you can, if you wish. As far as we’re concerned, your presence is present enough — especially considering that we are a bunch of broke Millennials.
My extended family, however, hardcore-believes in tangible gifts. Some of them are sticklers for the traditional (and comfortably middle-class) notion of extensive and expensive gifts at shower, hen party, and wedding. It’s generous, but also uncomfortable, at odds with our values, and not always string-free. How can I discourage gifts at my wedding?
Registry poems are a thing in the UK and Australia and they’re kind of genius
Registry etiquette is ALWAYS a touchy subject. But one discussion we want to introduce to the recently engaged is the concept of registry poems, popularized in countries like the UK and Australia.
Registries aren’t as common there, but accepting cash gifts is, often requested in the form of registry poems (or wishing well poems). For Americans (and others) who may not know, these are literally fun little poems asking for money contributions to help with the wedding or honeymoon or just starting out their lives together.
The best wedding gift idea for honeymooners: foreign currency
We live in the US and went to Toronto for our honeymoon. One of the most memorable gifts we got was from one of hubby’s coworkers – Canadian cash. We had registered for both traditional and cash-for-honeymoon gifts, but I loved this. In fact, foreign currency has become our new go-to wedding present for couples we know are leaving the country for their honeymoon.