How to ask for money as your wedding gift — the romantic way!

As more and more couples live together before they finally tie the knot, the traditional gift list is becoming increasingly outdated.     But what do you do if you don’t need a new steam iron or cotton sheets but the thought of asking for cold hard cash fills you with dread?

One option is to hold your gift list at your travel agents. Some allow you to have your registry with them, but many guests don’t want to contribute to a large pot of cash: they want to do something that makes them feel they’ve given you a really special treat.

There is a way to ask for money with style and romance: a honeymoon gift list.  These allow you to break your honeymoon into exciting parts – champagne chilling in your upgraded hotel suite, a gourmet meal in the flickering candle light as the ocean laps nearby.  So much more appealing than a blender.

The popularity of honeymoon registries has been dampened by the high commission on gifts and unimaginative design.  All that is changing with the arrival of Buy Our Honeymoon.   A range of stunning design themes and no commission taken from Aunty Beryl’s gift of tickets to a Broadway show is a very welcome addition.

But how can you ensure your guests give you the honeymoon of your dreams?  Make sure your list is as fabulous and imaginative as it is beautiful!

How to make your gift list as fun for your guests as it is for you

1.  Don’t underestimate your guests’ generosity.  Don’t price your items too low because you feel cheeky asking for their real value.  Your guests want you to have a wonderful time and to not have to make up the shortfall yourself.

2.  Don’t force guests into buying a collection of different small items — if they want to spoil you, let them.  Make sure you include some real once in a lifetime treats.

3.  It’s useful to allow multiple guests to buy you certain items (you do need many bottles of champagne) but try not to be tempted to just fill your list with contributions towards your travel and accommodation.  Psychologically, it’s important for your guests to feel that what they’ve bought is special to you and unique.

4.  Be as specific as you can be in your descriptions. You may change your mind later (your guests really won’t mind) but Jazz at Truman’s Bar – the oldest in NYC is so much more evocative than An evening of jazz.

5.   Also be specific in your requests to let guests feel they are genuinely buying you a gift.  Asking for your honeymoon is quite an abstract concept, so the more you can make it concrete, the better.

6.   Make your lists fun and attractive.  Guests are more likely to enjoy using your list, and to appreciate why you haven’t used a traditional wedding registry.  Make those adjectives work for you!

7.   Appeal to your guests’ sense of romance and luxury.  Include candlelit dinners, carriage rides and anything at sunset!

8.   Give your items interesting titles.  Instead of Contributions to Car Hire, why not The Open Road or The Wind in Our Hair.

9.   Make it reflect your personality.  Fun and funky? Elegant and romantic?  The choice is yours.  Make your list reflect that.

10.     Consider including upgrades to air fare, hotels and car hire instead of just contributions to the basics.  It’s so much more appealing to your guests, and means that your honeymoon is that much more likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Shelley Green - www.buy-our-honeymoon.com

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