Here’s the 411 on what’s rude and what’s proper.
Updated Jun 28, 2023
Having a wedding or being invited to one is a celebratory moment—and one that involves a lot of prep work before the big day. Deciding on the perfect gift (or wedding gift registry) is a huge step in the process. While physical gifts are the norm, digital wedding gifts are starting to crop up on wish lists. It may seem like the easy way out, but for some couples, a digital gift is exactly what they want. It can give them more freedom and flexibility as well as make things easier on guests, since they won’t have to lug an elegantly wrapped air fryer or stack of bath towels to the big day or spend money on shipping.
Before you start your search for the best wedding gifts, we put together our guide on the etiquette of giving and asking for digital wedding gifts. From the definition of a digital wedding gift to whether it’s rude to gift one to the happy couple, here’s our complete breakdown below.
Can a couple request no physical wedding gifts?
Yes, you can totally request no physical wedding gifts, but we might suggest having a very short registry of physical items you love for older guests at your wedding who may be a little less tech savvy. If you’re wondering how to ask for money as a wedding gift, it’s totally appropriate to put some cash funds on your registry—like a honeymoon fund or date-night fun—so guests can see where their contribution is going. One of the most common ways of notifying your guests of your decision to have money or digital gifts only is through your registry. Whether it’s a charity donation, coffee subscription or new-home fund, your registry will be the go-to spot to provide all the information your guests will need.
When is it appropriate to give a digital wedding gift?
It’s appropriate to give a digital wedding gift if it’s something specifically requested by the couple. Check the registry—that’ll have a list of digital gifts they’d like or any relevant notes. If you’re close with the people getting married, you might feel more comfortable straying away from the registry. For example, if the couple loves going on wine tours, then it would make sense to gift them a wine subscription, so they can continue trying different bottles from the comfort of their home. Or if they are the adventurous type, try gifting them an experience, which will allow the couple to connect and try something new together. But if it’s a couple you don’t know that well, then sticking with what’s on the registry is the most polite thing to do. The last thing you want is to send a couple a digital wedding gift when they’d prefer some new pots.
Rylee Johnston 
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