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Updated Oct 14, 2024Why Adding Gift Cards to Your Wedding Registry Is an Excellent Idea
Plus, our favorite gift cards from The Knot Registry Store.
If you've ever wondered whether you can add gift cards to your wedding registry, we have good news: You absolutely can. Nowadays, gift cards are popular additions to wedding wish lists. In fact, gift cards are routinely crowned winners of The Knot Registry Awards. So, not only can you add items from any store (including our own) to your registry, but you can also create cash and honeymoon funds, request charitable donations and register for gift cards from your favorite brands.
With so many great wedding gift ideas out there, it can be hard to narrow down the best of the best. But physical gifts aren't right for everyone. Maybe you and your other half have been living together for years, so the last thing you need is one more set of wine glasses or cookware. Or, you might be more interested in experiential gifts than tangible objects. If you can relate, gift cards are the perfect option for you, which is why we've stocked The Knot Registry Store with plenty of them. We're constantly partnering with popular brands to help you register for gifts you'll actually use. Whether you and your soon-to-be spouse take regular trips to HomeGoods or you're always planning Airbnb getaways, you can register for gift cards to support the activities you love the most.
But how do you add gift cards to your registry? And what's the etiquette behind asking for gift cards instead of traditional presents? Don't stress. We've outlined the most common questions about putting gift cards on your wedding registry. Use this guide to learn everything there is to know. Then, start your registry with gift cards from The Knot.
In this article:
- Can You Register for Gift Cards?
- The Difference Between Cash Funds and Gift Cards
- How to Add Gift Cards to Your Wedding Registry
- The Best Gift Cards for Your Wedding Registry
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Can You Register for Gift Cards?
The short answer: Yes, you can register for gift cards. In the past, traditional wedding registry etiquette indicated that it wasn't appropriate to ask for cash gifts of any kind, but that's not the case today. Guests want to purchase items you'll actually use. They understand that new pots and pans or bedding might not fit your needs—especially if you already live with your partner. Gift cards, like to Southwest Airlines or Airbnb that you can use on your honeymoon, are guaranteed to benefit your newlywed life, which is the whole point of wedding gifts in the first place.
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Of course, as with some wedding topics, your choices might be subject to criticism or concern from certain guests. If you receive rude comments or questions about having gift cards on your wedding registry, share how the gift card fits into your lifestyle. You can even add a note to each product you register for about what you would use the gift card for to help persuade stubborn friends or family members. (For more help, check out our guide on what to say when people judge your registry.)
Additionally, thanks to universal registry tools like The Knot's, you can register for both gift cards and traditional wedding gifts to give guests a bit more autonomy as to what they buy you. In other words, you can register for new towels, money for a kitchen remodel and a HomeGoods gift card all on the same list. It's convenient for you and it makes using your registry easier for guests, since with only one registry link to keep track of, they're more likely to purchase the items you've preselected.
Ultimately, you should register for gifts that you really want. Now more than ever, couples are tailoring their registries to fit their needs. Sit down with your S.O. to determine what gifts make the most sense for your life—it'll make for a more fulfilling gifting experience for you and your loved ones.
The Difference Between Cash Funds and Gift Cards
Now that you know you can register for monetary presents, what's the difference between cash funds—like a honeymoon fund—and gift cards?
The Knot's Cash Funds allow guests to donate any amount to your registry. These funds can be used for anything—the sky's the limit. You might want money for a starter home or for a pet that you plan to adopt after the wedding day. You can also put these monetary gifts toward shared experiences, like cooking classes, concert tickets or postwedding date nights. A honeymoon fund, on the other hand, is specifically reserved for activities on your newlywed getaway. These funds can be applied to airline tickets, couples' massages, nearby excursions or a special dinner. However you phrase the ask, at the end of the day, any contributions guests make to a cash fund will be deposited into your bank account for you to spend as you see fit.
Gift cards, on the other hand, are more tangible items. You'll choose the store and amount, then that is how it has to be used. As such, they can feel a bit more personal than cash gifts. Guests might feel more inclined to give a Blue Apron gift card if they know you and your S.O. are passionate about cooking, for example. Gift cards are also a budget-friendly option. When making registry selections, you can add gift cards in preset amounts. So, if you need affordable options among big-ticket items, you can add a few $25 or $50 gift cards to your favorite stores to give guests plenty of choices. Gift cards from The Knot Registry Store are delivered immediately and never expire, making them a great option to have.
It's important to make the distinction between the different types of funds and experiential gifts you can add to your registry on The Knot. In addition to registering for physical gifts, you can also register for gift cards, cash funds, honeymoon funds and charity funds. Each of these options includes different perks and uses, and you don't have to limit yourself to just one, such as only adding gift cards. You can actually include all of the above on your registry. In fact, we recommend it!
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How to Add Gift Cards to Your Wedding Registry
So, how do you register for gift cards using The Knot Registry? The process is actually just like adding a physical gift to your registry. All gift cards live within their own category on The Knot Registry Store and they're broken out into smaller groups based on niche interests that you and your S.O. can browse. Once you find one you want, select the red, plus button next to the product. From there, you'll be prompted to select a dollar amount and quantity before you can click "Add to Registry." That's it! Since gift cards are easy to add and easy to buy, they're a win for you and your guests.
The Best Gift Cards for Your Wedding Registry
Now that we've got wedding registry gift card etiquette down, it's time to start creating your dream wish list. There are options on The Knot Registry Store to suit pretty much every interest, from buzzy brands like Airbnb, Delta Air Lines and HomeGoods to niche retailers like Blue Apron and Havenly. Can't decide which gift cards to go for? We're sharing our favorites below—all of which are esteemed winners of The Knot Registry Awards that our couples and editors can't get enough of.
Delta Air Lines Gift Card
There's a lot you can do with a Delta Air Lines gift card (which is why it's a back-to-back winner at our 2022 and 2023 Registry Awards). From funding your honeymoon flights to future vacations to trips to visit loved ones, it's a valuable addition to your wish list. Serving over 275 destinations in more than 60 countries, Delta offers up a world of exploration. Preset gift card amounts range from $50 to $500.
Airbnb Gift Card
Who says your newlywed travels have to end with the honeymoon? An Airbnb gift card will help fund your next great adventure (or quiet retreat—whatever you're into). Preset gift card amounts start at $50 and go up to $300, incrementally.
HitchSwitch Gift Card
Are you planning on taking your partner's last name (or vice versa)? HitchSwitch's name change service makes the complicated (and let's face it: boring) paperwork involved in changing your name after marriage easy-peasy. If one or both of you plans on changing your name in any way, shape or form, this one is a no-brainer. The preset gift card amounts are $39, $69 or $99.
HomeGoods Gift Card
It's easy to get carried away in HomeGoods. From furniture, home decor, kitchenware, bedding and bath products, they have nearly everything you need to complete your newlywed nest—and it's all at your fingertips with a HomeGoods gift card of $50 to $250 on your wedding registry. Better still, it also works at T.J.Maxx, Marshalls, HomeSense and Sierra.
Southwest Airlines Gift Card
Airline vouchers are such a good gift card for wedding registries, we had two winners in the category this year. Southwest can help you travel nationally to 42 states as well as Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. And thanks to their free checked bag policy, your gift card will be used just for the flight and your seats—we recommend splurging on first-class seats to live it up at the start of your newlywed life.
Hotels.com Gift Card
We're also doubling down on romantic getaway ideas with a Hotels.com gift card on your wedding registry. It's redeemable toward bookings in 200 countries and territories, from international chains and resorts to local favorites and bed & breakfasts. Plus, it can be used alongside member-only deals and promotions for even more savings. You can use it for your honeymoon or save it for a one-year anniversary trip.
Havenly Gift Card
Dreaming of the day your house finally resembles your Pinterest board? Then you won't regret adding a Havenly gift card to your registry. Coming in at $159, the gift card covers the full transformation package. This includes three initial interior design ideas for your chosen room, virtual guidance and access to a personal ordering team (and hundreds of brands!). They'll even provide multiple revisions to ensure that the final design checks all your boxes.
Blue Apron Gift Card
How does a month of no grocery shopping sound? Pretty awesome, we know. Starting at $232, your guests can treat you to eight, 12 or 16 pre-prepped recipes a week for two or four people. It's the easiest way to learn to cook and make it fun. Plus, Blue Apron uses seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients for a quality food haul. Now, you can just focus on your S.O. and enjoy that newlywed bliss.
