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Cash Wedding Registries That Don’t Feel Icky

The socially acceptable way to ask for money.

A man and a woman, shown from the waist down, standing near a carry on suitcase Photo: Away

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Once upon a time, for the cookie-cutter weddings of yore, it was customary to register at places like Macy’s and Crate & Barrel for things like blenders and gravy boats, because there was a likelihood you didn’t yet live with your betrothed and didn’t have your own set of house-things.

But maybe now you do. Or maybe you’re paying for this wedding yourself and could really use the cash instead of another set of candlesticks. Or perhaps you’d rather put some money toward a kick-ass honeymoon or a house. Maybe all of the above.

Whatever your reasons, it’s totally acceptable to ask for money as a wedding gift. You just need to be crafty about how, and thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever. Below, five sites where you can register for cash gifts in a totally tasteful way.


Honeyfund: With no transaction fees for couples or gift-givers and no set-up fee, Honeyfund makes it easy for guests to give you money without getting charged anything extra. You just set up an account to let them know what you’ll be spending your money on (airfare, a down payment, and so on) and all your gift payments come directly to you, or for a small fee, through WePay or PayPal.

Zola: In addition to physical items from virtually any website (including its own selection), you can register for a honeymoon or cash fund on Zola, which lets you personalize everything with your own notes and pictures. They do deduct a one-time 2.5% cash transfer fee, which you can personally pay or have guests pay for instead.

Blue Print Registry: Set fixed increment amounts or allow guests to contribute any amount toward your funds with Blue Print, which is free for you to use (but passes a 2.5% credit card processing fee onto your guests). You can also choose to receive the cash equivalent of any gift instead of the item itself, with the final payout available through PayPal or direct deposit.

Zank You: This registry, which includes a mobile app, lets you receive contributions directly into your bank account, so you can spend money as you receive it. Zank You is available in nine languages, and payments can be made from anywhere in the world — ideal if you have international family or guests.

Tendr: A cash-gifting-only site for weddings and any other occasion (birthdays, bar mitzvahs and the like), Tendr lets you link to a bank account or Venmo, meaning you’ll receive gifts as they come in. There’s a $3 service fee plus a 2.7% credit card charge, but if guests give via bank transfer or Venmo, all they pay is the $3 fee. You do have the option to cover all fees for gift-givers as well.

This is a no-frills way to get cash for your wedding, with no option for physical gifts involved. Guests sharing cash gifts can choose from some 12 different e-cards for a more personalized feel, and you can send thank-you cards directly from your registry.