How to ask for money as a wedding gift

Couples getting married in the UK have traditionally been given household items as wedding gifts. This was to help the couple as they started a new life together and popular gifts included items such as kettles, toasters, bedding, towels, dinner services, cutlery and glassware.

It’s not a new concept for newlyweds to be given money as a wedding gift - in some countries and cultures couples are automatically given money by their guests. Times have changed and in the UK many couples getting married already have plenty of household items and often ask for money. Perhaps the money will be used for the honeymoon, a deposit on a house, furniture or a new kitchen. Sometimes couples will only ask for money as wedding gifts; others will mix gifts of money with other wedding gifts.

Are guests happy to give money as a wedding gift?

Some people aren’t keen on wedding gift lists, but friends and family will usually want to give a gift to the happy couple and most people want to give a gift which they know the couple will appreciate and get use from.

Our recommendation is that if couples want to ask for gifts of money this is what they should do. And the answer is yes - most guests are happy to give money as a wedding gift.

Be specific about how the money will be spent

Our advice is to let guests know what the money will be spent on so that guests feel that they've contributed towards a specific item. Most gifts of money are for the honeymoon where guests usually put money towards specific elements of the honeymoon such as accommodation, flight upgrades, car hire etc.

Personalise your gifts of money

At Nearly Married couples can customise their entire honeymoon list with their own pictures and ideas - so if couples want money to swim with dolphins then dine at a specific restaurant and stay overnight in the local boutique hotel these gifts can all be automatically added to their list. It’s also a great way to personalise the thank you cards by adding a picture of what the guest contributed to such as a romantic meal at the Eiffel Tower.

The Nearly Married gift list service lets couples ask for money for all sorts of uses and couples can customise gifts so if there's a specific item which they’re saving for, a picture of this can be added.