Creative and Cute Ways to Ask for Money as a Wedding Gift

It can feel awkward asking your guests for money instead of a physical gift. That’s why so many couples seek out creative or cute ways to ask for money as a wedding gift. To help you find the right words, use this guide on how to ask for money as a wedding gift. 

Is It OK to Ask for Money as a Wedding Gift?

There’s no rule that says you can’t ask for money as a wedding gift. It may feel like a wedding faux pas, but these days there’s no need to stick with tradition when it comes to your big day.

Communicating your wishes and desires is never a bad thing — after all, it’s your celebration. What matters most is how you ask for money as a gift. 

Asking in the wrong way can feel like you’re valuing your guests for their contribution rather than their presence, or that their much-planned gift wouldn’t be appreciated. Not to worry, though. We’ll guide you through the process of requesting monetary gifts in a respectful, thoughtful, and cute way. 

How to Ask for Money as a Wedding Gift

Most couples struggle with knowing how to say that they’d prefer cash gifts or perhaps a donation towards their honeymoon (or even a new home or other large purchase). It can feel uncomfortable being so upfront about your financial request, but that shouldn’t stop you from asking if it’s what you really want (or need). Here are several ways to confidently let people know that you’d love them to consider giving you money as a wedding gift. 

Register for a Cash or Honeymoon Registry

One of the easiest ways to share your preferences is to register with a cash registry website or honeymoon fund registry. This is a clear signal that you’d be overjoyed with a cash gift.

Most wedding guests are used to seeing a gift registry, so this helps them feel familiar with the process. It also eliminates some of the awkwardness of asking how you’d like to receive the money — they can simply give it directly through the platform. 

Provide a Link to Your Wedding Website

If someone’s looking for your gift registry, the first place they’ll seek out is your wedding website. Be sure to create a wedding site and link to it from your wedding invitations.

Add a section to your wedding website that talks about your preferences for gifts, and mention that you’d love any cash donations or honeymoon contributions. You can include a simple message like “We’d be over the moon if you’d consider giving money instead of gifts,” followed by what you’re hoping to spend the money on. 

Mention Your Wishes to Close Friends and Family Members

Another great way to get your message across is to simply tell the people closest to you and let word-of-mouth take its course. Sharing your preferences for wedding gifts with your inner circle, bridal party, and wedding party means they can let the rest of your friends and wedding guests know and help field questions. This way, you can focus on other aspects of your wedding planning.

Talk About How You Plan to Use the Money

If you’re feeling awkward about asking for wedding money, weave in some of your personal story. This is a cute way to ask for money as a wedding gift and helps your guests picture exactly what they’re contributing towards.

Instead of giving you a $50 or $100 gift, they’re instead helping you save towards your first home as newlyweds or your dream honeymoon. Sharing your “why” can help you politely ask for money and encourage people to consider it. 

Offer Other Alternatives

Even with all these cute ways to ask for money as a wedding gift, some of your guests might prefer to offer a physical gift. For many people, choosing the wedding present is one of their favorite ways to be part of your special day. Let these guests enjoy their gift-giving by making suggestions for other gift ideas that you’d love. 

Make a smaller, more tailored gift registry with only a handful of physical items. For the rest, feature gift cards or vouchers for experiences or products that you like. This is ideal if you’re saving for a downpayment on a house or a remodel, as you can list gift cards for homeware or DIY stores.

Have a Card Wishing Well at Your Reception

Sometimes your guests will want to bring a gift with them on your big day. They still can with cash gifts — just make sure there’s somewhere safe and secure they can leave them. Here’s where a “wishing well” comes in.

Set up a table where you can receive wedding cards and envelopes with cash wedding gifts. Have someone monitor the stand if you wish, or ask guests to drop their envelopes into a “wishing well” or box for you to open and enjoy later. 

Don’t Ask for Money on Your Wedding Invites

Design: Robinson House Creative (photo courtesy of Julia Kinnunen Photography)

However you feel about asking for money as a wedding gift, there’s one rule most agree on — don’t ask for money on your wedding invites. 

This is a wedding etiquette faux pas as it can leave your guests feeling uncomfortable and take away focus from the wedding itself. They’re excited to celebrate your wedding day with you, and they’ll likely bring a gift without a reminder right from the start.

Leave your gift registry details for your wedding website or Greenvelope details page, or share them casually instead for a more polite way to request cash gifts. If you’re using one of Greenvelope’s beautifully customizable online invitations it’s easy to share your wedding website or integrate your gift registry with just a few clicks.

Cute Ways to Ask for Money as a Wedding Gift

You’re all set on asking for money as a wedding gift, but you want to find a fun, sweet, or creative way to do it. If you’re looking for inspiration on cute ways to ask for money as a wedding gift, try these wording ideas. 

• We can’t wait to celebrate our big day with you! Your presence is more than enough, but if you’d like to give a gift we’d be overjoyed with a contribution towards our honeymoon fund.
• Cash gifts are always welcome but never required. All that we ask is that you’re here with us! 
• Thank you so much for always being there for us. Your presence is the greatest gift, but we’re also saving for our first home so any contributions are hugely appreciated. 
• There’s nothing better than dancing the night away with you. Don’t feel any pressure to bring a gift. If you’d like to contribute, we have a cash registry available at [link].
• We’re excited to see you on our big day! If you’d like to give a gift, something towards our honeymoon fund would make our day. 
• We are over the moon to be traveling to [location] for our honeymoon. If you’d like to help make the experience even more amazing, we’ve listed some details on our cash registry at [link].
• Like most couples who have known each other for a while, we’re surrounded by all the household treasures anyone could ever want or need. No gifts are ever required, but if you wish to give, you’ll find our registry details at [link]. 

Express Your Wishes with These Cute Ways to Ask for Money as a Wedding Gift

Even for the most confident people, asking for a cash gift for your wedding can feel a little uncouth at first. But with these tips and wording ideas, you’ll have everything you need to let people know your preference in a cute and polite way. 

When you’re ready to invite your guests, find the perfect online wedding invitations to send your guests. You can use our details panel to leave a handy link directly to your wedding website or registry. It’s an easy way to share your preferences without asking upfront.