The average honeymoon costs newlyweds about $5,000, possibly more, depending on the destination, duration, and level of luxury. Nowadays, it is common for couples to request honeymoon money instead of gifts at their wedding; however, finding the correct verbiage can be tricky.
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Is It Okay to Ask For Honeymoon Money Instead of Gifts?
Today, it’s common for couples to ask their guests and loved ones for money instead of traditional gifts. Most couples use online platforms where wedding guests can directly deposit money. Requesting family members and friends to fund your honeymoon is a great way to enjoy your vacation and start wedded life with no (or little) debt.
If done correctly, asking for cash gifts when setting up your wedding registry is not rude, as it will help you avoid draining your savings. However, elderly or traditional people might find this decision impolite.
In other cultures, such as Armenian, it’s expected to receive cash from your guests. In the U.S., the best approach is to set up a money fund on your wedding registry.
How Do You Politely Ask For Money Instead of Gifts?
Traditionally, it has been against wedding etiquette for couples to request wedding gifts bluntly. Guests weren’t obliged to bring physical gifts but pampered the newlyweds willingly on their special day. Hence, asking for money instead of traditional gifts from your wedding guests might sound tacky and uncomfortable, as it goes against the norm.
However, you can request friends and family members to help you actualize your post-wedding getaway dream without appearing ungrateful or grabby. Tread lightly so that your wedding guests don’t feel like they must show up with hefty checks for your wedding. There are multiple ways you can ask them politely or indirectly to bring cash gifts instead of physical items.
Here are some general etiquette tips to help you politely ask for money instead of gifts from your wedding guests:
Explain why You Prefer Money to Gifts
Let your wedding guests and loved ones know why you prefer monetary gifts to traditional gifts. You most likely have a house full of household items if you’ve lived with your significant other before your wedding. Or, you’ve exhausted your savings during wedding planning but still have big plans for your dream honeymoon.
You can send lighthearted requests via your wedding website or an online honeymoon fund registry. Some couples opt to include this in their shower invitations or wishing wells. However, it’s awkward to request money via wedding invitations.
Here are some wording examples:
- “Attending our wedding is the most precious gift you can offer us. But should you choose to gift us in any other way, help us make our honeymoon dream a reality.”
- “Thank you for joining us to celebrate our wedding day. As our home has more items than we need, we’d highly appreciate any contribution toward our honeymoon.”
Treat the Honeymoon Fund the Same as a Gift Registry
Don’t make the request for monetary gifts the main focus of your wedding invitation. Include a QR code or simple link (on a separate piece of paper or the back of the invite) where people can find your honeymoon registry fund.
Some people will still prefer to buy you something from your traditional gift registry, so it’s a good idea to include one with limited items.
Inform Your Wedding Guests About Your Travel Plans
Post your travel plans on a blog or website and include photos and links to specific excursions you’d like to do on your honeymoon. This allows your wedding guests to donate any amount they’re comfortable with or enough to cover a particular expedition or airfare.
Share Updates With Your Guests
Your wedding website is the best platform to share your honeymoon updates with your guests. However, you can still share updates on social media. Let your guests know when you’ve raised enough to book the hotel or an excursion. While you’re on your honeymoon, post photos of your experiences on your website.
Consider Including a Memory in Your Thank-You Card
Send those who donated a small gift to say think you, perhaps a magnet or a keyring. Or, send specific photos and attach a thank you note to those who donated toward a particular item or excursion for the honeymoon. For example, a picture of a romantic dinner cruise or a safari drive.
How Much Money Can You Expect to Receive in Your Honeymoon Fund?
A honeymoon fund is like a traditional wedding registry, but instead of listing physical gifts, the engaged couple mentions several honeymoon plans or excursions they would like their wedding guests to assist them with. You can expect to receive approximately $50-100 per guest in your honeymoon fund.
The amount you’ll raise depends on factors such as:
- The platform used – Have you set up a physical cash registry for your wedding day or a website? You might receive less money through a cash box since only a percentage of the attendees will be willing to drop cash into an unattended box. You may receive more money on a honeymoon fund, considering how easy it is (no trip to ATM needed). However, some websites deduct a specific percentage from the collected amount as a processing fee.
- Your registry etiquette – How you approach your wedding guests will determine their willingness to contribute to your honeyfund. Letting guests know they’ll contribute to a memorable experience might touch their hearts. However, being too blunt and making people feel like the money is transactional might not propel them to contribute.
- Your creativity – Your wedding guests will be more willing to chip in if you find creative ways to entice them. For instance, making it simple for them to give as much as they wish instead of predetermined amounts or allowing them to pay for a specific activity (a massage, parasailing, a tour, etc.).
Should You Create a Honeymoon Fund Registry Online or Accept Cash Gifts?
You can set up a honeymoon fund registry online or accept cash gifts from people to finance your dream honeymoon. There’s no hard or fast rule on the best method since both have advantages and drawbacks.
| Online Honeymoon Fund | Cash Gifts |
| Can be shared with many people, near or far | You usually need to see the person face to face |
| A processing or transaction fee may apply | No added fees |
| Money is tracked and secured, difficult to lose | Cash could be lost in the stress of your big day |
What Are the Most Popular Online Honeymoon Registry Websites?
Honeymoon registry websites are a less awkward way of asking people for money as a wedding gift. These websites require couples to register and set up honeymoon registries on the site.
Here are some of the most popular online honeymoon websites:
- The Knot – This website allows couples to set up cash funds where they can receive cash gifts or gift cards. Plus, this site allows you to inform your guests about what the monetary donations will cater to. The website links the cash funds directly to the couples’ bank accounts for convenient transfers and only charges a 2.5% transaction fee for those who donate by credit card.
- Honeyfund – Another sought-after platform, Honeyfund provides multiple options to donors and receivers to fund honeymoons or other projects. Guests can give checks, gift cards, bank deposits, or custom payments. This free registry also allows the users to receive money via their bank accounts or Paypal and charges a 2.9% processing fee.
- Zola – The website lets couples create a fund on the registry to receive honeymoon contributions. Then guests can send the money via Paypal, Venmo, or credit cards. However, Zola doesn’t deposit the monetary gifts directly into the couples’ bank accounts but notifies them of each contribution. The site also charges a 2.5% transaction fee.