Are Honeymoon Funds Tacky? Asking Friends & Family for Cash Gifts

One of the big decisions you’ll make when getting married is whether to set up a traditional wedding registry or a honeymoon fund. Many couples feel uncomfortable asking for money as a wedding gift, and some may even be questioning, “are honeymoon funds tacky?” But truthfully, there are several good reasons to consider it!

For one thing, a honeymoon fund can help ensure you have the honeymoon of your dreams. You can splurge on a luxurious hotel room or an unforgettable activity with the extra financial support. Additionally, most people want to give you a gift that you need or want, so with a honeymoon fund, they know their money is being put to good use. 

Ways to Make Your Honeymoon Fund Feel Less Tacky

Of course, whether or not you have a honeymoon fund is ultimately a personal decision. But if you are considering it, there are some things you can do to make it feel less “tacky.”

Properly Pitch the Honeymoon Fund

If you’re inviting a lot of older guests to your wedding, there’s a good chance many of them have never heard of a honeymoon fund. As you set up your fund, craft language that feels transparent and appealing. Avoid outright asking for cash – though some guests will inevitably prefer to hand you a check on the big day – and instead tell them about your plans. Explain how their gift will directly impact your trip, and always pitch from a place of gratitude. You’d be surprised how many people you can win over with the right phrasing.

Give A Detailed Description Of Your Honeymoon Plans

Personalizing your honeymoon fund page is an important step. You’ll want to let your guests know where you’ll be going and what you’ll be doing. Help them to visualize your trip and let them know how excited you are to be going. Consider listing out several activities you hope to do while on your honeymoon. Allow your friends and family to choose between buying you dinner at a fancy restaurant, paying for a zipline experience, or covering the expense of a snorkeling excursion. You can always send photos of your activities and thank you notes after you get back!

Examples of Honeymoon Fund Description

“Our honeymoon plans are to spend two weeks exploring several beautiful countries in Western Europe. We have always wanted to see the sights of Paris, Amsterdam, and Munich, and our dreams are finally coming true!

We will start our honeymoon in Paris, where we will visit the Eiffel Tower and Musée Du Louvre and take a day trip to the Palace of Versailles. From there, we will take the train to Amsterdam to explore the Anne Frank House, enjoy Dutch food, and take a trip to the seaside. Finally, we will end our honeymoon in Munich, where we will celebrate Oktoberfest and explore villages and castles.

We have been saving up for our honeymoon for over a year, and we can’t wait to finally start our married life together in one of the most incredible regions in the world!”

“We’re so excited to spend our honeymoon in Hawaii! We plan to visit Oahu, where we’ll stay at the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki. Of course, we’ll be visiting other parts of the island, too. We’re headed to Haleiwa for surf lessons, Hanauma Bay for snorkeling, and Kualoa Ranch for ziplining! We hope to eat lots of fresh seafood – Giovanni’s Shrimp is at the top of our list – and indulge in some shave ice from Matsumoto’s. We can’t wait to show you photos from our adventures!”

Give Guests the Option to Donate Any Amount

Forcing your guests to donate a certain dollar can come off as tacky. When it comes to honeymoon funds, guests should be given the option to donate any amount. This allows them to contribute as much or as little as they want. It also allows them to feel like they are contributing to something important without putting too much pressure on them. 

Prioritize Excursions Over Airfare, Hotel

The average wedding gift runs between $75 and $200, depending on how well a guest knows the newlyweds. Keep this price point in mind as you set up your honeymoon fund. Most plane tickets and hotels will cost far more than this, so you may want to cover those expenses on your own. Guests will be more inclined to buy you dinner or a SCUBA diving session than shell out for just part of an airline ticket. Pick five or six activities or restaurants you hope to visit and spotlight them on your honeymoon fund page.

Include A Photo From Your Trip in Your Thank You Cards

If you’re looking for a unique way to thank your wedding guests, why not include a photo from your honeymoon in your thank-you cards? It’s a great way to let your loved ones know that you appreciate their generosity in contributing to your honeymoon fund. Plus, it’s a fun way to share some of your favorite honeymoon memories. Your guests are sure to appreciate this thoughtful gesture.

Share Your Honeymoon Photos on Social Media

Another great way to involve your friends and family is by sharing your honeymoon photos on social media. Rather than a photo dump at the end of your trip, you’ll be more present on your travels if you stick to posting a few pictures at the end of each day or every other day. Also, be sure to thank them for the opportunities they helped you achieve! 

Avoid Listing Your Registry On Your Wedding Invitation

If you’re hoping to avoid being seen as tacky, it’s best to avoid listing your wedding registry on your official invitation. Instead, consider including a link to your wedding website. Once there, guests can navigate to the specific registry section of the site. You can include links to the retailers you’re registered with but also feature your honeymoon fund URL. This encourages exploration and ensures guests have their choice of potential gifts to purchase for you.

Do Both. Set Up a Honeymoon Fund and a Wedding Registry

If you’re still unsure what to do, you can always set up a honeymoon fund and a traditional wedding registry. This will give your guests an option and help to make it feel less “tacky.” This is an excellent option if you have several guests on your list that like to follow tradition. Older guests may feel more comfortable gifting you traditional items like fine china and glassware. Younger guests, however, may be more open-minded about honeymoon funds. You keep everyone happy by listing traditional and non-traditional gifts on your registry.

The Best Sites for Honeymoon Funds

If you’re still worried that honeymoon funds are tacky, take note of the fact that several websites exist just to offer this as a service. Registering for experiences is becoming more commonplace and normalized! Typical wedding registry sites like The Knot and Zola offer basic honeymoon fund collection services. However, if you want to get a little more personal and need help planning your trip, check out the honeymoon fund websites below. 

1. Honeyfund 

Honeyfund.com is a honeymoon registry that allows couples to ask for honeymoon-related expenses as wedding gifts. Couples can create a registry and add items such as flights, hotels, tours, and activities. Guests can then contribute money towards the items on the registry. Honeyfund also offers a variety of honeymoon-related articles and tips. honeyfund.com is a great way to fund your dream honeymoon without debt.

2. Traveler’s Joy 

TravelersJoy.com includes a search engine that honeymooners can use to find the perfect honeymoon destination and a booking platform where they can book their flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements. Honeymooners can create a free honeymoon registry on Traveler’s Joy, and friends and family can contribute to the honeymoon fund.

3. Honeymoon Wishes 

Honeymoonwishes.com is a honeymoon registry that allows couples to collect funds from friends and family to help pay for their honeymoon. The site offers a range of honeymoon packages and the ability to customize your honeymoon registry. In addition, the site provides a platform for couples to share their honeymoon photos and experiences with friends and family. 

Final Thoughts

Wedding registries have evolved a lot through the years. Once reserved for items to help newlyweds transition into living together, there’s no limit to the items you can include on your registry these days. A honeymoon fund can be a fantastic way to pay for your travels, but it helps to know your audience. If you come from a more traditional family, it’s a good idea to offer a mix of both housewares and honeymoon excursions on your registry. That way, your guests have the option to gift whatever they feel is most appropriate. 

Honeymoon funds open up a world of possibilities. Rather than worry about outdated etiquette rules, consider how your friends and family will feel about the opportunity to help with your travels. Nine times out of 10, they’ll be thrilled to send you jet setting! By operating from a place of transparency and gratitude, you’re sure to set the perfect tone for requesting such gifts.

So stop worrying about if honeymoon funds are tacky and give your guests the opportunity to gift you with the experiences you truly desire!