According to a recent survey, 76% of newlyweds live together before they get married. This means that the purpose of wedding gifts is changing. Wedding gifts once provided a starter kit for those marrying and then moving in together, but with cohabiting couples now having almost all the household items they need to enjoy married life, it has become more and more difficult for guests to find the perfect wedding gift. As a result, cash gifts have become more sought after, with the toasters, kettles, silverware and housewarming gifts becoming a thing of the past.
No matter how popular wedding cash gifts are, asking guests for them doesn’t get any easier, particularly with our proud British mentality. Asking your guests in the form of a poem has become a cute and creative way to spread the word about the monetary gifts you desire. Read on to discover the best poems to include in your wedding invitations or save the dates, and tell guests you want their money in the politest way possible.
Wedding money poems to include…
Whatever you wish to spend the cash on, including a simple wedding money poem in your invitations provides a sweet, polite and indirect way of asking for cash instead of gifts. Your wedding money poem doesn’t have to be lengthy either. Take this great example from Hitched:
“As we’ve lived together for a year or two,
We really don’t need anything new.
But if you were thinking of getting us a small wedding gift,
Some money for our honeymoon wouldn’t go amiss.”
It’s a good idea to centre any requests for money around what you plan to spend it on. Wish Upon a Card offer a great example:
“When thinking of a gift for us
We ask if you’d please consider
Contributing to our honeymoon
to make it all the sweeter.
Our house is full of all the things
a couple could require,
and so a holiday away
is what we most desire.
Then while we’re relaxing on the beach
or by the pool so blue
we’ll sit back and know
that it is truly thanks to you!”
Humour can also soften the blow. Confetti provides the perfect poem to make your guests laugh and hand over their cash:
“We don’t want to offend but we have it all,
All household goods and so much more.
To save you shopping, sit back and rest,
A gift of currency is our request.
Don’t go overboard or rob any banks,
Any little thing will make us smile with thanks.
We supply the wishing well,
No wrapping, an envelope who can tell.
Now that we have saved you all the fuss,
We’d love it if you would come and celebrate with us!”
…And an example not to use
For all the brilliant money-gifting poems out there, there has to be one that lets the side down. This follow-up email sent by one Mumsnet user offers a rather candid and direct example of what not to do, as published by The Guardian (@guardian):
“Cash we asked for because cash we need
For our kitchen to proceed
Having checked our wishing well
We think some people might not have rung the bell
If you’re one who has forgotten
Don’t sit at home feeling rotten
Just use the bank details at the end of this ditty
And you can still contribute to our kitchen kitty.”
Other ways to ask for cash
If a wedding money poem isn’t your thing, going down the specific, not poetic, route may be worthwhile. Many wedding gift companies provide a registry option that couples can direct their guests to, even if it’s cash they desire. Their Buy Our Honeymoon package is particularly popular and offers guests an easy way to contribute to your holiday fund or purchase specific elements of your honeymoon.
Looking for inspiration for a first anniversary present? Discover the ultimate first anniversary gift idea if you tied the knot here at Gosfield.
