Bridal shower without a registry

No kidding. Pretty sure that shower is over and done with a year later.

How did you broach the topic? I am in the same scenario! Thanks!

Give the bride a brunch,Iluncheon, dinner party, tea party, afternoon barbecue - anything but a shower. People who want to give a gift will ask where she is registered, and you can tell them she isn't. People ALWAYS know that cash is an acceptable gift and they will write a check on their own if thus inclined. I agree about the registry. I didn't register for anything becuase this was my third wedding (widowed once, divorced once prior) and we have a fully stocked house. We told everyone who asked about a registry that we didn't need a thing, and to please just come, but some folks just won't show up without a gift in hand. Of course I'm grateful that they thought of us, and of course I wrote gracious TY notes, but almost nothing we got was useful. I feel bad because I had all those white elephant gifts and my dear friends were out their money.

Register for upgrades, as several suggested. Traditional registries fly under the radar of etiquette because (1) it's accepted that a couple is setting up a home together, (2) they're a wish list, like a Christmas list and (3) nobody is asking directly for money

Weddings are a billion dollar industry and everyone wants a piece of the action. Travel agencies and resorts for honeymoons, realtors for houses - I've even see a registry for "a first stock portfolio!" Those industries do not care that they're rude. They want to make money, and they're done with the bride once her wedding is over, so could care less if she offends her friends. Would you walk up to a friend on a normal day and ask them to give you their money? The fact that it's a wedding doesn't change this.