Gift list wording for wedding invitations — polite examples and tips

You've started building your dream wedding registry, and it's bursting with presents you both adore — but how do you politely tell your guests about it? Our wedding gift list wording advice and examples will help you tactfully request presents, whether you're hoping for physical gifts or cash to put towards something important to you.

We know that sometimes it's a little difficult to ask for gifts or contributions to a honeymoon fund. But rest assured, your guests will want to treat you to something special. The key to politely asking for wedding gifts is to let your guests know their presence on the day is the most important thing. You can then say if they do wish to buy you a gift that you have a wedding registry. Basically, keep it short, sweet and non-judgemental. We've pulled together some examples of wedding gift list wording that you can use as is, or tweak to be in your own voice.

Suggested Wording

Example 1:

"We’ve built a dream wedding gift list that will set us up for our new home together. Please don’t feel obliged, but if you’d like to help us on our journey, please find our gift list details below."

Example 2:

"Please don’t feel obliged to purchase a gift, we’re just happy we can share our special day with our nearest and dearest. But if you would like to, we’ve made our dream gift list with The Wedding Shop."

Example 3:

"For us, it’s ‘presence over presents. Sharing our day with you is what matters most, but for those who would like to buy us a gift, you can find our registry on The Wedding Shop"

Example 4:

⁠"If you’d like to buy us a gift, we’ve created a wedding gift list with The Wedding Shop. In a bid to be more sustainable, we're only asking for what we truly need. Take a peek here: [personalised URL]"

Example 5:

"Your presence at our wedding means more to us than any present. But should you want to buy us a gift, we’ve created our dream wedding gift list at The Wedding Shop. Find our list at: [personalised URL]"

The best way to let your guests know about your gift registry is on your formal wedding invitations. It's the most natural way to direct people to your list.

With that in mind, when it comes to when to start your wedding registry we recommend beginning early so you can have it ready when sending out invitations, approximately ten to twelve weeks before your big day. Some guests will want to buy you a gift as soon as they read your invitation — so including your registry information on the wedding invites makes it easy for them to find and ensures they can select unique wedding gifts you'll both cherish. It'll also stop guests from going off-piste and buying you something you don't necessarily need or love.

Top Tip: Need help with your wedding invitation wording? Our comprehensive guide will walk you through all the essentials, ensuring your invitations flawlessly convey the excitement of your big day.

For those who have paper wedding invitations, include your gift list reference on your invites and direct couples to The Wedding Shop's website. Your gift list reference is how guests access your wedding registry. The Wedding Shop also has complimentary notification cards. Include these in your paper invitations to discreetly advise your guests about your wedding list.

For those who have a wedding website, you will have a personal URL, which you can use to link directly to your Wedding Shop gift list.

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• 14 Reasons You Need A Wedding Gift List
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If you'd like to use your gift list to ask for money instead of physical gifts, that's completely fine. You can do this on your wedding registry too, by setting up cash funds. Our advice would be to personalise your funds so that your guests know what they're contributing towards. For example, why not create a fund for a scuba diving experience during your honeymoon? Here's an example of how to ask for money as a wedding gift:

"We’re hoping to create once-in-a-lifetime memories on our honeymoon, and it would mean the world if you could help us make this a reality. There is no pressure to contribute, but if you’d like to, you can find our honeymoon fund and activities at The Wedding Shop."

It's also a good idea to add a selection of physical gifts to your list. Some guests will prefer to give you something tangible. From traditional wedding gifts to presents for couples who already have everything, The Wedding Shop's extensive collection offers something to complement every fund. Why not jet set in style with some new luggage? With thousands of gifts to choose from, you're sure to find the best wedding presents for you – but here are some cash gift ideas to get you started:

Did you know that guests actually love it when couples have a wedding gift list? It takes the guesswork out of gift-giving and ensures that you'll have something to treasure forever. The Wedding Shop has even created a collection of gifts guests love to give.