It used to be tacky (or worse, taboo) to give money as a wedding gift. But now it’s different. More couples and guests are deciding that cash is king. 

The question is, how should you give (and receive) money as a gift? It’s a question everyone is asking, from the lovebirds to the guests to people managing wedding registries. 

No matter where you fit into the big day, here’s how to give and receive money without feeling rude or embarrassed.

It’s simple. Newlyweds want cash. 

For couples using the wedding site Zola, 80% of them received money in their registries. And in 2021, the Knot saw a 30% increase in cash gifts over two years, with honeymoon funds being the most popular request.

This data isn’t surprising. The pandemic has affected people’s finances. And many couples are getting married after living in their own homes. Creating a long gift registry doesn’t make sense. Asking for cash, however, does.

4 tips to ask for money as a wedding gift 

Does it look bad to ask for money instead of wedding gifts? Is it tacky to ask your guests to contribute toward specific gifts, experiences, or even to your honeymoon? 

It all depends on how you ask. Keep reading to see how couples navigate this and avoid cringe-worthy faux pas.  

When you ask for money the way they do, you won’t rub your guests the wrong way.

1. Use Braid or a cash registry website 

Cash registries are gaining traction inside the 19-billion dollar wedding industry. In case you’re not familiar with them, they’re simple:

With a traditional registry, guests purchase one of the many gifts the couple has selected. With cash registries, guests contribute to the couple’s big-ticket items or desired experiences for a fee. 

There’s a way to skip fees altogether though. Braid money pools are 100% free for both the couple and their guests. This makes them an attractive option for wedding celebrations.  

Is Braid new to you? It’s a modern money-pooling tool that allows people to seamlessly collect and spend group money together. Thanks to its multi-user design, it’s incredibly easy to manage group money with others.

Savvy couples are creating free money pools for specific gifts or experiences, like a Smeg refrigerator, landscaping for their new home, or a couple’s massage on the honeymoon. Then, guests pick their favorite pool and make their contribution.

Below, you’ll learn how to set up a money pool or cash registry. In the meantime, here’s what else couples do when asking for cash.

Ready to set up your pool right now? Click here to get a step-by-step guide.

2. Don’t ask for money in the wedding invitation 

It’s exciting to find a wedding invitation in the mailbox. But when couples use it to ask for money, it kills the mood. It leaves the impression that you’re inviting people for their money and not for their presence. 

Nobody wants to feel that way. So, keep the feelings festive by including a link to your wedding website in the invitation. On your website, guests can read about your gift preference and contribute to your money pool(s) or cash registry using your link. 

3. Tell guests how you plan to use cash gifts

Guests want to feel like they’re contributing to your happily-ever-after. But cash can make them feel left out. 

Remedy this by sharing how their cash gift will make your dreams come to life. Whether it’s a tropical vacation, a home renovation project, or a cross-country move, share your plans. 

When guests know how their gift is going to enhance your life as newlyweds, they’re more inclined to give it. It feels more personal and less cold. 

4. Set up a traditional gift registry

Even if you prefer to receive money as a wedding gift, it’s still a good idea to offer guests a traditional registry.

Firstly, some people feel more comfortable giving gifts. And creating a registry for every budget lets people give a gift they feel good about.

Secondly, big-ticket items can bring people together if you encourage them to do so. 

For example, alongside expensive registry items, invite guests to use Braid to pool money and go in a group gift together. 

Offering a traditional gift registry, along with money pooling options, shows thoughtfulness and consideration for your guests.

The top 4 places for your wedding cash registry

With a wedding cash registry, couples curate a unique selection of items and/or experiences. Guests can peruse the options and pitch in on their favorite ones. 

Here’s how to set up a wedding cash registry for your upcoming nuptials.

1. Set up a free Braid Money Pool

If you want to have your wedding cake and eat it, too, Braid is a fantastic option. 

Couples can create as many money pools as they’d like. And each pool can be used to collect money for specific items or experiences. For example, “Joe and Cara’s Honeymoon Fund”, “Honeymoon Roundtrip Airfare”, “Island Boat Tour,” etc. 

You can manage the pool(s) as a couple, or you can ask the members of your wedding party to manage them with you. 

Braid Money Pools are free to use and you get to keep all of the money you collect. However, Braid does charge a 3% fee for contributions made with a credit card. The fee is charged to the contributor. There are no fees for contributions made with debit cards or via bank transfer. 

Another reason why Braid is a great choice is that you can spend money directly from the pool without having to transfer it to a separate bank account. Not having to mix money with personal accounts keeps finances straightforward and organized. 

And in the days leading up to a wedding, couples need more ways to feel ease, not stress. Consider Braid your stress-free cash registry solution. 

Finally, Braid shows you who has contributed, along with their gift amount. This makes it easier to thank them later. 

2. The Knot

The Knot is a popular wedding site platform, and it gives you the option of creating a cash registry for your honeymoon, gifts, or special experiences. But is The knot registry free?

If you choose to set up your cash registry on The Knot, guests absorb a 2.5% transaction fee. 

It’s understandable if you’d prefer to give them a free option, like Braid. 

3. Zola

Zola offers online cash registries, too. What makes them different is lower transaction fees (2.4% compared to 2.5%), and the option to choose who absorbs fees: you or your guests.

Couples may not want to absorb a 2.4% fee for every cash gift they receive. But they may feel tacky asking guests to spend any more money on their special day, too. 

4. Honeyfund

Many couples choose Honeyfund to offset honeymoon expenses. It’s a great place for guests to purchase gift cards or give money. But couples take a hit with multiple fees. 

What percentage does Honeyfund take? When transferring cash funds to a personal bank account, couples pay a 3.5% fee, or 2.59% when transferring to PayPal.

The couple also incurs a nominal authorization fee of $0.59 per transaction for a bank account and $0.49 for PayPal. With Honeyfund, guests never pay fees. But that means the couple does. 

It’s perfectly acceptable for couples to ask for money as a wedding gift. And platforms like Braid make it incredibly easy to do so. Wedding guests are loving it, too. Keep reading to see why. 

Money is a favorite wedding gift. If you and your partner plan to ask for cash when you tie the knot, use Braid Money Pools. They’re free for both you and your guests. And they provide an easy, seamless way to collect contributions toward your desired items, experiences or plans.