Weddings & Gifts: No, Brides-To-Be, You Can't Demand Cash!
Brides-To-Be: Don't Demand Cash!
Every engaged couple would love to have ca$h for wedding gifts. Who wouldn't? After all, how many toasters and coffee pots can you use? Besides, it's a pain in the neck to return all those duplicate gifts!
But here's the facts: Wedding gifts are not a right; they are a privilege. Your wedding invitation asks for "the honour of your (guests') presence..." and that's not spelled p-r-e-s-e-n-t-s.
For that reason, you cannot dictate to guests the type of gift they should extend to you or where they should buy them. That's also the reason that you never include registry information with a wedding invitation, and the worst mistake you can make is to ask for cash.
* Including registry information in an invitation, tells a guest you're only interested in them for one thing: gifts! And guess what asking for cash tells them?
The Solution to the "Cash for Wedding Gifts" Dilemma...
Brides-to-be need to register for gifts at their local and national department and specialty stores. It's best to register for gifts in all price ranges so that their guests have affordable choices.
Registry information should be listed on the couple's website so that all guests can access this information, but it should never be included in any invitation to any pre-wedding parties, as well as the wedding invitation itself.
Your families and bridal party will know where you're registered and can inform guests of that information when they inquire. And here's where "cash" comes into play. If you'd prefer cash, there's no reason that your families and bridal party, if asked, can't say that you'd like money... but of course, they'll add, "That choice is up to you."
When It Comes to Gifts: A Final Word!
In summary: Gifts are a privilege and not a right. Be grateful for every gift that you receive, no matter what it is. And if you have to return a toaster or two, be glad that you received them in the first place. Take no gifts for granted.
Be sure to send those hand-written, thank-you notes within three weeks of receiving a gift. It's important that your guests know that you appreciate their generosity!
