Couples Opt for Cash Instead of Traditional Wedding Gifts

Would you rather receive cold, hard cash instead of fine china on your wedding day? Do you desire dough instead of dining ware? You aren’t alone! Even though the “cash request” may still be taboo for many American brides and grooms, the troubled economy has aided in breaking down the ban. According to a poll conducted by Wedding magazine, 45% of brides and grooms have admitted that they would rather receive money instead of conventional wedding gifts.

American couples have long since felt the pressures of adhering to strict unwritten wedding rules. White dresses, tossing the bouquet, and customary vows are just some of the nuptial traditions that are present in almost every American affair. The topic of finances is taboo in many arenas in our culture. Many modern American couples have recently thrown tradition and taboo out the window in favor of stating what they actually want and need. Without screaming, “”Show us the money!” more and more couples have found unique and unassuming ways to request cash instead of gifts.

There are many ways that modern couples can request money instead of gifts for their wedding. Other cultures have openly accepted the gifting of cash as the norm for hundreds of years. In Italy and Finland, the couple even carries a receptacle for their guests to place their cash gifts. The British tradition of specifically stating “No Gifts Please” urges guests to read between the lines and infer that the couple simply wants money. Many couples realize the necessity of straying from tradition and stating that they need money to cover costs for their honeymoon, a new house, or even for the ceremony itself.

The construction of a catchy poem is another cheeky idea that is borrowed from the Brits. The couple will simply include the poem at the bottom of their invitation that addresses the somewhat uncomfortable request. By adding humor to the situation, couples can admit their desire to receive cash in a humble manner. Even though asking for cash as a gift is still not an openly accepted practice, brides and grooms are dismissing their pride and being forthcoming about their needs. Especially since many contemporary couples are funding their weddings on their own, the need for financial support is even greater. Whether you choose to have a “wishing well” for cash gifts at your ceremony or get your Shakespeare on with a cute poem, you will not be alone in asking for what you really want on your wedding day.