Registry / Cash Gifts

We have a website and under the Registry tab I put:

"YOUR PRESENCE IS GIFT ENOUGHWe have lived together for several years and have all we could need.We will have a card box for well wishes & congratulations."
When I am asked in person by people I reply with some variation of that. I still have some push back from people wanting us to have a registry and I simply reply with no. No is a complete sentence for me.

View Quoted Comment Totally agree with this

Just say thank you for thinking of us but we don't want gifts. Put that on your wedding website so people will know. Others may find out by word of mouth. Having a registry is common so you can expect that everyone will likely ask you about it.

While that may true in some social circles, don’t ever assume it’s true for everyone. An equal number of people actually don’t give cash gifts for any occasion and if there is no registry, you will end up with many gifts that you don’t want and can’t return. It is considered impolite in many social circles to mention gifts of any kind beyond telling where the registry is by word of mouth. Buying off the registry is how some people choose to celebrate. If you push back, you could possibly offend someone to the point where they may not attend or it strains the relationship.


Think of a registry as a wish list of stuff you want but would never spend your money on. Even couples who have lived together need and want upgrades of better quality and matching items. Maybe there’s an appliance you want (a frozen drink machine, an insta pot, anything) that you would not buy yourself. That’s what goes on on the registry.
Graciously accept whatever you do receive with prompt thank you notes. Never ever tell guests that you do not want gifts or that you will not accept them. If you don’t want something, return it locally for store credit and don’t say a word to guests

People tend to default to cash when there is not a registry. If people ask, simply tell them that you already have everything you need, so you’ve chosen not to register for gifts. “Your presence is present enough for us”. There may be a person or 2 that buy you a physical gift anyway (usually elderly guests), but most will know to default to cash.

Do you have anything that could use an upgrade? My FH and I also live together, but a lot of our stuff was from either of our college/ first apartment phases. We put some personalized things from Etsy on our registry like embroidered towels, Mr. & Mrs. items, etc. I like Michelle's idea of things you wouldn't normally get yourself. You could also add things like gift cards to places you both go frequently like restaurants, cash funds for experiences like couple's massages or honeymoon brunches, etc.

I’m straight up asking for money as weddings are expensive lol and saying we don’t need physical gifts as we’re planning to move and that will only inconvenience us. We’ll be selling a lot of stuff we already have. Last thing I need is more physical gifts I’ll probably have to give away to someone else 😬

View Quoted Comment Etsy registry?? Why didn't I think of that?? Omg good thinking!!

View Quoted Comment

Thanks! I think my MOH did it when she got married a few years ago and that put the idea in my head.