Image by Alice Pasqual via Unsplash

Getting hitched is a huge milestone, but it’s also an occasion that can deplete your savings if you’re not careful. From the wedding reception to organising catering and photography, there’s a full spectrum of costs to consider, so when it comes to gifts, it’s no wonder that you may prefer to receive cash.

A finder.com.au study of 1,006 respondents found that the average wedding costs around $22,669, which is a hefty amount for many Australian couples. The research also found that requesting cash is popular among newlyweds with 44% of Australian couples now asking for cash on their big day.

Giving money as a wedding gift isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, though, so if it is something you’re thinking about asking for, make sure you tread lightly. Money can be an awkward conversation at the best of times, so it’s important that you go about it in the right way.

While everyone will have their own approach, there is some etiquette you can use to ensure you don’t rub anyone the wrong way.

Image by Ben Rossett via Unsplash

One of the best ways to request cash is to state it (briefly) in your invite. You can do this by saying something like: “Gifts aren’t necessary, but if you’d like to offer something, please make it small and make it fiscal.”

Make it clear that you don’t expect every guest to give you a cash handout (their attendance is the most important thing) but that money is your preference. As long as you do it in a tasteful and respectful way, it should be well received.

Additionally, you can indicate how you’d like to receive the cash. Whether you’ll have a wishing well on the night or an online registry, there are many ways you can go about this. For instance, Envelope Registry allows you to create a registry for free where you can select items that your guests can contribute to, for example, “honeymoon”, “home deposit” or “kitchen renovation”. Other digital registries include Not Another Toaster and Wedding List Co, which are worth exploring.

As well as including this on your invitations, you can also spread the word to your inner circle. Let your family and friends know that you’re saving for your honeymoon in the Caribbean or your home renovation project so that they don’t feel that cash is too impersonal.

Image by Justina Ding via Justina and Wes’s Caribbean Honeymoon

So why are we asking for cash gifts more and more these days?

The most obvious reason is that people are getting married a lot later and often couples are already living together before they tie the knot. As a result, many young couples already have enough crockery, furniture and ornaments to furnish their houses and therefore find cash to be a more practical gift.

Inflation and living costs are another factor at play here. Increasingly, Australians are taking out finance to cover the cost of their wedding in response to rising living costs (think inflated property prices), so it’s understandable that young couples are asking for money.

To echo this sentiment, the finder.com.au research found that 41% of couples have some wedding-related debt, and that it takes the majority of these couples 6-12 months to repay it. Again, it’s not something we should be bashful about – it’s common for many of us.

Requesting cash as a gift can feel a little uncomfortable, so it’s important to take a gentle approach when conversing with your nearest and dearest. If you’re strapped for cash, asking for money from guests will ensure that you don’t wind up with a fourth toaster or linen set, and it can help you and your partner start your life together with a little less financial stress.

Ms Zigzag says: It makes perfect sense that today’s couples are requesting cash over physical gifts, however many still feel awkward about how to communicate this with their wedding guests. Thank you Bessie for your handy advice! 

Words by Bessie Hassan | Money expert at finder.com.au