As far as wedding gifts are concerned, cash is one that you and your partner would definitely be most happy to receive. Cash gifts from your wedding guests can go towards your baby fund, your savings for a family car, payments for your housing loan Philippines program, or a cause that you and your partner believe in.
But in a culture like that of the Philippines, most people find it important to observe delicadeza when asking for and receiving monetary gifts. You and your partner may worry about appearing rude or even greedy towards your guests, and some of them may be shy or self-conscious about how much money they can give you compared to others.
Knowing that there are a lot of unspoken rules to consider, how do you go about asking for cash gifts and receiving them on your special day? To answer that, here are six helpful tips for a soon-to-be-married couple.
Include Options in Your Invitation Suite
Most people still believe that it’s impolite to put a direct request for cash gifts on a wedding invite, with the logic being that whoever accepts the invite may feel obligated to give money. If you feel the same way, or if you’re worried about getting the wrong message across, you can avoid putting your details on the card itself. But there’s no stopping you from including other components inside the envelope, like a printed message or poem that communicates your appreciation for a cash gift.
You can also have a separate printout containing the details of your wedding gift registry or a website your guests can visit to contribute cash gifts or donations. Either way, you’ll be able to give your guests options without seeming too forthright.
Set Up Links on Your Wedding Website, Blog, or Social Media Account
Alternatively, if you’ll be relying on digital wedding invites, you can make separate links on your wedding website or blog or on your social media events page. This is where you can leave details about your wedding gift registry, bank account, e-wallet, or fundraiser.
Many couples like the option of setting up separate pages and accounts for wedding-related matters, especially when it comes to delicate issues like these. It will be enough for you to set up a main page or section for the important event details and then to provide optional links for whoever wishes to visit them.
Ask Your Wedding Party for Help
It’s also possible to ask your maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, or groomsmen to come to your rescue. On top of the other favors they’ll do for you, they’ll be happy to spread the word about your appreciation for cash gifts and what the money will go towards.
Ask them to float the idea to other wedding guests, like members of your extended family or other people from your friend groups. They’re in a good position to speak for you and to let others know that their gift will go a long way towards supporting you.
Be Discreet When Receiving Cash Envelopes
For the guests who do arrive at your wedding with a traditional money envelope, take care to extend the utmost courtesy. The important thing is to avoid embarrassing the gift giver or putting them on the spot in front of everyone else.
Don’t make a big show of receiving the envelope and announcing their cash gift to the rest of the world. Above all, do not open the envelope in front of the gift giver and count how much money they’ve given you. A simple “thank you,” paired with your best wishes for them, will be more than enough to show your gratitude.
Set Up a “Wishing Well” in Your Wedding Venue
Another thing you can do to make it easy for you to receive cash gifts is to put up a “wishing well” of sorts. Some couples leave piggy banks, baskets, sealed boxes, or other similar items at their wedding venues. Any guest who wants to give a cash gift without getting the couple’s attention can simply leave it in the wishing well.
Some of your guests may be unfamiliar with the concept, so be sure to leave instructions somewhere in your wedding invite suite or on your wedding page as well as in the venue itself. Place the wishing well somewhere discreet and private, and consider leaving blank envelopes nearby for guests who may not have their own envelopes yet.
Express Your Gratitude to Wedding Guests Who’ve Given Cash Gifts
Lastly, don’t forget to say thank you to each of your contributors after the wedding. No matter how much a guest can afford to give you, it’s always a good idea to let them feel appreciated for their contribution.
You can write thank you notes to guests who’ve left their details, or send emails with wacky photos accompanying your thank you messages. It’s also possible to invite them to your new home for a quick meal or to ask them out for lunch or dinner with your spouse.
Sometimes it’s tricky to plan a wedding when you know you have to think about issues like these. But with these tips at your disposal, it won’t be hard to accept cash gifts with grace and to thank your wedding guests for their thoughtfulness and generosity.
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