"This is our favorite gift to give friends for weddings," said my friend as he handed an envelope to my husband at our wedding reception.
We opened it to find some twenty dollar bills and a list of three awesome dates in our city. It was also one of our favorite gifts. It was fun to have an excuse to go on a much-needed date after a long day of work.
We were married just before SimpleRegistry and other cash registries had emerged, but they would have been a great fit for our needs and wants when we got married. Meanwhile, cash registries like SimpleRegistry also might be a great fit for you!
So why exactly would a cash registry be an ideal fit for you? To find out, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
Do you need or want large items for your wedding, but know they will be beyond the budget of your guests?
If you already have many of the smaller household items that might be given for a wedding gift, but as a new couple you really would like a bed, a flat-screen television, or a boat (really, our members register for boats!), a cash registry will help you receive these gifts. With these types of registries, you are able to "break down" the cost of the items into small parts so your guests can contribute toward large items that might not have been able to be purchased by one guest.
Would you like the flexibility to register for any item at any store?
If you have specific tastes and would like to register for gifts at many different stores, a cash registry is a good option for you. My friends have used SimpleRegistry and other cash registries for items from Anthropologie, Etsy, and even local shops that don't have registries. This allows them to get exactly what they would like, while making the gift-giving process easy on their guests.
Are you a person who doesn't really need any more "stuff" for your wedding?
Whether you're a baseball fan, a museum buff, or a passionate philanthropist, you might really enjoy the option to register for activities, passes, and events. Many of our members register for tickets to sporting events, museums, gym passes, and even contributions toward their favorite charities. A cash registry allows you the flexibility for friends and family members to contribute toward what you really need or want, even if they are not physical items.
I really wish that I knew about cash registries when I got married, but I am glad a friend was thoughtful enough to give us some fun date experiences anyway. Cash registries are not for everyone. However, if you are someone that would like flexibility in your registry and will not accept just getting whatever gravy boat is at the department store, than a cash registry like SimpleRegistry is a great idea for you.
What are some of the most fun gifts you are registering for (including great date ideas)? Let us know over on Facebook!