We all know that a wedding is a beautiful celebration of two people deeply in love. Often hailed as the happiest day of one’s life, a wedding is undoubtedly an irreplaceable milestone that romantics all over the world spend years daydreaming about.
In the wake of all this bliss and personal, intimate significance, weddings also exist as massive projects to which businesses worldwide dedicate all their efforts. (We at Wedded Wonderland have a deep appreciate for this side of things—shoutout to all the talented industry ambassadors, vendors, and other key players who make the global wedding scene a better place!)
All that said, what we mean is that a wedding is a huge event, and encompasses a wide array of aspects, including some interesting grey areas of social interaction. As you already know, the oftentimes complicated process of wedding planning (especially if plenty of people end up being involved) can cause stress to a couple who don’t want to drive wedges between relationships.
Another particularly touchy area is this slightly awkward dilemma: what is the best way to subtly communicate before and during the wedding that you prefer your guests to give cash gifts instead of physical ones?
Now, there are many valid reasons as to why you would prefer cash gifts over physical gifts. While many a wedding guest will be well-meaning in offering newlyweds an oven toaster, curtains, a silverware set, or other items associated with building a nest, sometimes cash really is the way to go.
Below, we list reasons as to why a couple would prefer cash. Do any of these sound like you?
Now that we’ve covered all of that, let’s get into the best ways to go about this potentially awkward request! We hope that after reading this list, you’ll find that it doesn’t have to be such a tricky topic after all.
During your planning phase, whether it be in a formal meeting with your planners or informal discussions with family and friends, be honest about your intention to go with cash gifts only. This way, those closest to you (who are most likely inclined to invest in special, costly gifts) will be right away informed of your preference as a couple. You could explain that you would like a modern, practical wedding, and possibly express your reasons for wanting this, if you and your spouse-to-be are comfortable elaborating. Sincerity and honesty go a long way!
Plus, there’s a chance that other relatives will ask your nuclear family about what to get you. The word of the cash gift preference can spread on your behalf even before you send out the official digital or paper invites.
If you haven’t yet heard of the Wishing Well app, now is your chance to explore the platform right away. It’s a FREE intuitive app that contains an RSVP system, a cash gift depository and tracker, and a video message cloud. All you have to do is download the app, create an event, and share the unique QR code, event code, or web link to your guests via embedded links on digital invites, or a printed QR code on physical invites.
Thanks to Wishing Well‘s sleek user interface and graphic design, the clunkiness of including your banking details on your invites will be immediately eliminated. Using an app also greatly streamlines the process. Those who love everything organized and listed will love the app’s tracking feature, which generates an easily accessible directory of gifts and senders.
The video message cloud is also a sweet touch! Guests will be able to upload personalized video messages to your event page to go with their monetary gifts, keeping the whole process warm and authentic.
In case guests don’t have their invites handy, you could also work in the QR code into the back of your table number signs, or on a special stand in a separate corner. While you might feel awkward about this at first, think of it this way: if you were accepting physical gifts, you would have needed to set up a long gift desk anyway for people to stack their presents. A small stand or easel with your Wishing Well QR code will be just the thing you need!
You also have the option of asking your emcee to recap the mechanics of the app, and invite guests to leave their video messages and gifts using the designated QR code if they wish to do so. As a couple, you could talk to your planner and emcee about how you would like this to be worded.
If you’re short on ideas on how to tastefully work this into the spiel, you’re in the luck! The Wishing Well team has compiled five ways event hosts in the past have achieved this. Visit their Instagram to learn more!
Last but definitely not the least, make sure to thank all your guests who took the time and effort to celebrate you and your spouse on your special day. Whether they expressed their love and congratulations through a monetary gift, personalized video message, or with their presence, don’t forget to send them off with a souvenir or sweet gesture that’ll make them feel appreciated, confirming their place in the new life you and your spouse have started together.
The Wishing Well app is available for free download on Google Play and App Store. Follow them on Instagram to learn more!
