I know this is going to sound tacky but...

Ok I will admit that the pandas made me laugh, BUT it sounds like from your post you already know in your heart that this probably isn't the best idea...

I agree with julesieeee. If you do not want gifts, just let your guests know that a gift of money would be best and you can use it for whatever you need.

Not sure what your plans are for your honeymoon, but I know my friend registered on a site that lets your guest make contributions towards your airfare and resort. Might be something worth looking into as a way to have your guests help you out and not have a bunch of things to find room for in your home.

You could always ask for money gifts to go towards saving the pandas

It sounds tacky because it kinda is. If you can already afford your wedding, pay for your wedding. Sell or pay forward any items you don't want after the wedding. Any money you make from your wedding replenishes your funds.

Besides, if YOU can't use some random wedding items, what use would your guests have for these items?

I guess I don't understand.. most people will give money anyway, why not just use that money for the "expensive wedding thing"? Money is money...

Agree with julesieeee and kristen a.

Just have the family members pass on the "gossip" -- don't get them a gift, give them cash or money order because they need to update their home (or whatever) you need it for. People would rather give a monetary gift anyway - it's easier not to go shopping for bridal registry stuff.

No, no, no! Do not do it. Yes, it would be tacky.

Asking for a gift, no matter what that gift is, is rude. A gift is a gift. It is not to be expected, but rather be appreciated.

Briefly no.

I'f you don't want gifts, you can always say you don't want gift. Yes, I've seen it twice, actually. Once the couple said they have everything but they would appreciate a donation to a cancer research institute in lieu of gifts (all 4 parents were cancer survivors), and the other one was to a an animal shelter. That's what people should do if they don't want gifts :-)

What do you mean, like people would be helping to pay for your wedding? I'm confused...

I posted on my website for teh wedding under gifts section. In lieu of gifts we would appreciate a donation to our downpayment for a home fund. Or something similar.

If you need help paying for certain things, perhaps think about asking people straight out. I asked a friend who is a photographer, I said I am paying a professional to take the ceremony and family/ bridal party pics but she isn't staying for teh reception. Instead of giving us anything would you mind taking some pics of the key things at the reception, first dance, soem speeches etc.

We also asked a few friends who are talented musicians, to instead of bringing us anything would they mind playing at our ceremony. One played piano while people got seated, one played violin while I walked down the aisle, one played guitar while we signed the regristrar, and one played bag pipes while we did our receiving line.

Also DH mom's best friend made our wedding cake instead of giving us a gift.

There are cultures where this is the norm - and the people who contribute are the "sponsors" or padrinos and they are thanked at the wedding very explicitly for their contribution. The people are usually godparents or other close relatives. I've only been to one wedding where this happened and the bride was a co-worker so I got to know more details than the average guest.

http://www.worldweddingtraditions.com/locations/north_american_traditions/mexican_traditions.html

However, if this is not the norm in your culture (doesn't sound like it is), then sorry yeah, it's tacky

Ok. Thank you ladies! I appreciate it!

I'm adding my 2 cents. If you don't want items, then don't create a registry. It may suggest to your guests that you already have the goods you need.

No No No

Guests are NOT required to give anything. It's nice that they do, but it's not a requirement and to ask for anything implies that you expect something.

OMG its so cute!!!!!

How about instead of making the typical registry (i didnt want one either for the same reasons) you register at Amazon so you can get anything you want on the registry (home improvements, gift cards, specific items, specialty etc.)

OR

Register your honeymoon! I registered with my travel agent, but you can register with websites where your friends and family can go online and pay for part of your honeymoon. Its so practical!

Many photographers also allow you to register with them for your photos, so you can ask your photographer if they would do this for you, to help you pay for pictures. It satisifies your need for help and their wanting a registry.

Here we go again.

Yup, tacky. IMO asking people to pay for your wedding is being a bad host(ess), which when it comes to a wedding nowadays the couple usually are the hosting party. Before anyone brings up house parties and having people pay or bring their own drinks, a wedding is usually closer to a nice dinner party. The kind with napkin rings, salad forks, and place cards. You wouldn't invite someone to that and tell them "instead of a nice bottle of wine like people usually bring to these things, just give me $50." You'll recoup some of your money from monetary gifts you don't ask for anyway, and you can always sell what gifts you don't end up using.

Agreed with everyone. Of course, it is always acceptable to tell your parents that you are working on a downpayment for a house, and they can spread the word. You will be surprised how many people ask your parents opinion on this.

P.S. The pandas are toooo cute!