Discussing Financial Traditions: Should Honeymoon Funds Be Considered as an Alternative to Traditional Wedding Gifts? (Sophia Money-Coutts)

Discussing Financial Traditions: Should Honeymoon Funds Be Considered as an Alternative to Traditional Wedding Gifts? (Sophia Money-Coutts)

In the world of weddings, tradition meets innovation as couples find creative ways to curate their wish lists for their big day. Two popular trends that have emerged are honeymoon funds and book wedding lists.

A wedding list, or registry, is a carefully crafted collection of physical gifts or experiences that the couple creates for guests to choose from. These can range from kitchenware, home goods, to cash funds, aiming to help the couple set up their home or life together. In a recent wedding, the couple asked guests to buy a case of Pinot Noir for their wine merchant wedding list, a choice that has been enjoyed since the wedding.

On the other hand, asking for a honeymoon contribution means inviting guests to give money or fund experiences specifically related to the couple’s honeymoon trip. This is often done via a separate honeymoon fund or cash registry where guests can contribute directly to travel expenses or honeymoon activities. The transparency and upfront nature of this approach are appealing to many couples, especially those who already live together or have most home essentials, preferring experiences over gifts.

The writer, Sophia Money-Coutts, a freelance features writer and author with six books to her name, prefers the idea of a book wedding list over a traditional brick registry. A London bookshop, John Sandoe in Chelsea, offers a service to curate a wedding list of books with bespoke bookplates, allowing the couple receiving the books to know who gave what.

Etiquette-wise, asking for a honeymoon contribution should be done tactfully, often via a separate insert or a wedding website, to avoid awkwardness. The phrase "Your presence is our present" is used at the top of the wedding list insert, emphasising the couple's appreciation for their guests' attendance.

The couple in question also has a wedding list at John Lewis or Prezola, providing guests with a range of gifts at various price points. Interestingly, many wedding lists are converted into cash or vouchers after the wedding, giving the couple flexibility to spend the money on something else.

In this modern era, the invitation itself can be an unexpected guest. In one instance, a doormat received a wedding invitation, adding a quirky touch to the traditional event.

[1] Bridal Musings. (2021). Honeymoon Funds vs. Wedding Registries: What's the Difference? https://www.bridalmusings.com/honeymoon-funds-vs-wedding-registries-whats-the-difference

[2] The Knot. (2021). Honeymoon Registry vs. Wedding Registry: What's the Difference? https://www.theknot.com/content/honeymoon-registry-vs-wedding-registry

[3] Zola. (2021). Honeymoon Fund vs. Wedding Registry: What's the Difference? https://www.zola.com/wedding-registry/honeymoon-fund-vs-wedding-registry

[4] Sophia Money-Coutts. (2022). Frontispiece. https://www.frontispiece.co.uk/sophia-money-coutts

[5] The Spruce. (2021). Honeymoon Funds vs. Wedding Registries: What's the Difference? https://www.thespruce.com/honeymoon-funds-vs-wedding-registries-1400927

1. In the realm of lifestyle, couples embracing modern trends opt for honeymoon funds and book wedding lists, providing guests with unique choices such as funding honeymoon trips or purchasing personalized books.
2. Fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts may find joy in contributing to a honeymoon fund, helping couples fund their travel adventures and explore new destinations.
3. Couples who share a love for food-and-drink might appreciate a contribution towards a wine merchant wedding list, like a case of Pinot Noir, to expand their collection and create lasting memories.
4. For those who cherish relationships and want to celebrate their friends' milestones, the option of gifting towards pets, shopping, or cars could be appealing, enriching the couple's lives in distinct ways.

Read also: