Engagement Party Gift Question

Ok....my boyfriend and I want to throw an engagement party and we have a little dilemma.
We already have a home, so we really don't NEED anything for the home...we would like to leave that for the bridal shower when the time comes. What we REALLY need is CASH (to help pay for the wedding itself.) Is there a nice way of letting guests know not to bring gifts, but to give cash if they desire? I don't want to sound tacky or rude or inconsiderate. I mean, no one HAS to bring a gift, and I would just be happy to see my closest friends and family there to celebrate. Any ideas on a tactful way of stating this?

Message edited 10/2/2003 11:32:17 AM.

Re: Engagement Party Gift Question

Register at a place like Bed, Bath and Beyond they return any merchandise for cash. And only register for frames, vases & stuff like that. I winded up recieving mostly money at my eparty because when people asked out family what we wanted they explained that we are paying for the wedding by ourselves and that we could use the money. But when someone asks you directly tell them you are registered.

Bridget

Re: Engagement Party Gift Question

do they ALLOW you to return items for cash?

Re: Engagement Party Gift Question

Yes they do, that is their return policy if you are registered for an item and you need to return it if it is on your registry you will get cash. I only registered for some items at Macy's and then other people got us what they wanted and most gave us cash when they did not pick something of the registry.

Bridget

Re: Engagement Party Gift Question

OMG! My engagement party is a little more than a week away and some people have been asking if we have registered (we haven't)! I am just not into it right now! I would rather get cash too, to be honest! But, unfortunately, I did not think there was any right way to say it! To those who have asked, I have told them just to bring themselves! I am more excited just to have everyone together! Have you considered just starting up your registry with just a few things you may really need? That may be an easy solution for those who really want to bring a gift!

Re: Engagement Party Gift Question

we just had our e-party and didregister (for GOOD stuff)..I have had an apartment for over 3 years, so have the basics, but want good china, new sets of casual, knives, great quality pots and pans, appliances I would not buy myself, and new bathroom & bedroom stuff, etc.

We got some stuff off registry and some stuff people bought on own taste (good stuff though!! - except one butt ugle statue)

We also got $$$$$. The ratio was about even. We did get gifts from people who did not attend.

So remember even though you register, people may not buy off it. And you can't list where you are registered at (invitation). And ther is no tackful wat to ask for cash. It's a gift...people should be able to give what they want.

Message edited 10/2/2003 11:50:14 AM.

Re: Engagement Party Gift Question

My FMIL "non-chalantly" told her side of the family that we are saving for a house so we need money. We didn't register until AFTER our engagment party hoping that we would get money. We really lucked out because we ended up getting a few nice gifts, almost $1,000 worth of gift certificates and ALOT of cash.

Message edited 10/2/2003 12:13:55 PM.

Re: Engagement Party Gift Question

Well, regardless of what kind of gifts we get, the most important thing is being able to have our closest friends and family there to celebrate the good news