No gifts, cash funds and registries: how to word them
Polite wording for no gifts, a honeymoon or home fund, a registry or a charity donation, where to put it, and a picker that writes the line for you.
Put gift wording on your wedding website or a small insert card, not on the main invitation, and lead with "your presence is the greatest gift" before saying what you would like. That works for no gifts, a cash fund, a registry or a charity. Pick yours below for wording you can copy.
Gift wording for your wedding website
Choose what you would like and the tone. Gift wording belongs on your website or an insert card, not on the main invitation.
Why not on the invitation?
The invitation asks guests to come. Mentioning gifts on it can read as an expectation. A line on the website, or a separate insert card, lets guests find it when they look for it.
Wording for each choice
No gifts: "Having you with us is the only gift we need. Please, no presents."
A fund: "If you would like to give a gift, a contribution towards our honeymoon would be lovely."
A registry: "For those who have asked, we are registered at [link]."
A charity: "In lieu of gifts, we would be grateful for a donation to [charity]."
How do you ask for money politely?
Give a reason and a choice. "We already have a home full of things" explains why; "if you would like to give a gift" leaves it to the guest. Avoid amounts and never mention gifts in a way that sounds like a condition of coming.
What if guests bring gifts anyway?
Thank them warmly and send a thank-you note. Some guests will always want to give something; that is fine.
See what to put on your wedding website for where the gifts section fits, and the wording guide for the invitation itself.
Questions
How do you say no gifts on a wedding invitation?
Put it on the website or an insert card instead: "Your presence is the greatest gift. We kindly request no gifts."
Is it rude to ask for cash?
Not if you ask kindly, give a reason and leave it to the guest. Avoid amounts.
Where should the registry link go?
On your wedding website, in a gifts section. Guests look for it there.
Do I need to send thank-you notes for every gift?
Yes. A short, personal note for each gift is the expected courtesy.