Honeymoon registries that ask for specific amounts of cash?

Question

My friend is getting married. She has a honeymoon registry, and I thought it was a great idea until I went to the site. It asked for specific amounts of money for gifts, at which point I felt like I was being worked for cash! I don't mind giving someone something they really want, but when they're registered for thousands in cash, it just seems tacky. Is it tacky? Yes/no?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

It's a fine line.

Most people seem to have no problem purchasing off a department store registry (which clearly includes prices too, btw).

For the honeymoon registry, I'm guessing it might say things like "Snorkelling trip" (with a "price" of $80), "Couples massage" (another price), etc - but then you contribute that amount in cash, rather than directly buy it. It'd be better if you could directly buy it, but that's not always practical.

Is that really all the different than looking at a department store registry and deciding whether you want to buy a $50 vase or a $100 bread machine? It's not like you picked any of that stuff out, they did....and if they want to convert it to cash...they know exactly where to return it and how much it cost. You're "picking" from a list with things costing different specific amounts.

I'm not a huge fan of registries in general, other than for things like place settings or silver, where individual pieces can be too expensive for one person to give and the set all needs to match. It's a gift from them, to them, that you paid for. Still, I don't draw the distinction as many do between department store registries and honeymoon registries.

Bottom line - if you don't like it, don't do it. Registries (or any gift at all, for that matter) are available options, not requirements.

Answer 2

It's incredibly tacky.

People bring wedding gifts, as traditionally, you gave the couple something they'd need as they started a life together. Now, with people living together before marrying, and often marrying later in life, they often have established homes together, and don't have anything they 'need' to set up a home together. So, thoughtful brides started gift registries - it gave guests an idea of what the couple might want, and what their taste in decor was, were the guests not frequent visitors in the couple's home. One is not obligated to purchase something from the registry, however.

However, it's in bad taste, and terrible manners, to dictate to your friends and family just what kind of gift they will get for you, or to dictate how much they must spend. While I can appreciate a couple not needing any of the traditional gifts people usually give, demanding that they contribute to a honeymoon fund simply isn't acceptable. The honeymoon is something the couple should pay for on their own.

Answer 3

I no longer know what the word "tacky" means - I think it is too over used.

To answer your question, however, I have to say that I just don't know if there is really a difference between "registering" at Macy's for towels that have a price associated with them and "registering" on a honeymoon registry for gifts that also have a price associated with it. KWIM?

I guess, like most things in life, I will put that into the - "it doesn't hurt my feelings or well being" category and move on.

Answer 4

Yep, that's about as tacky as it gets. I had my first experience with a cash registry last year-blew my mind!

Answer 5

It's tacky alright. Bold and rude. People just dont have manners anymore.

Answer 6

very tacky

Answer 7

to me it is.....but get the idea of what they want and shop somewhere else for ur budget..