It is very common for couples to live together for a while before they get married. This means that usually, they already have everything they need for their home.

For those brides-to-be who already live with their partners, the thought of receiving blenders, toasters, or punch bowls as wedding gifts may be a bit unnerving.

What is becoming a popular trend in terms of wedding gifts is for the couple to ask for (or let it be known that they would prefer to receive) money or gift vouchers as wedding gifts. This may seem like a slightly awkward thing to ask of your wedding guests, but there are gracious ways to ask for money or gift vouchers...

Let Your Close Friends and Family Know
If you let it be known to your close friends and family, the chances are that other people that are attending your wedding will find out through word-of-mouth that you would prefer monetary gifts or gift vouchers.

Write It On Your Wedding Invitation
Now, this may be tricky... as long as the wording is appropriate, writing your wedding gift preferences on your wedding invitation is probably the most effective way of letting your guests know what you want (or don't want!). All you need to write on your invitation is 'No Boxed Gifts Please'.

Something else you may want to consider when thinking about your wedding gifts is that of a Honeymoon Registry. Why not get your guests to contribute money towards your honeymoon?! All this would involve is you going to your travel agent and asking for registry cards that you can put in with your wedding invitations.

The most important thing to remember about wedding gifts is that, no matter how big or small, all wedding gifts should be acknowledged with a thank-you card. After all, it's the thought that counts!