Registry purpose and logistics

If you're having a shower then the point of that is for people to bring physical gifts, so you'll want a registry for that. If you're not having a shower and don't want any gifts at all most people will bring cash to the wedding itself without being prompted. In some circles mentioning that you want cash is looked down upon.

If you're not putting your website on your save the dates, you can send it when people ask, include it on a details card in the invitation, and/or put it on a shower invite if you have a shower.

I wouldn’t say that you prefer cash, as this may rub people the wrong way. If I were in your shoes, I would make a modest registry (as it is custom to bring a physical gift to a shower), and also link a cash fund or honeymoon fund to that registry, so that guests will have the option of purchasing you a physical gift or contributing monetarily instead. You can send out registry info with your shower invitations. Then, when you order wedding invitations, simply include your wedding website link on them.

A registry is a wish list of things you need and want in your new home that you wouldn’t spend your own money on. For example, when you walk through Target or whichever store you frequently shop at and see something that catches your interest but you wouldn’t buy yourself. An iced coffee machine for example if you’re trying to cut back on Starbucks spending. Anything really. There is no limit to what you can register for. What do you have already that can be upgraded to better quality or a matching set?


In some social circles, registering for cash/honeymoon/house payments/experiences is taboo because you will be gifted physical items instead that you may not want and can’t return because guests want to buy gifts and cash is seen as cold and impersonal. In other social circles, physical gifts are taboo and cash is the only thing given. Asking your friends and families will give a clear picture on what their gift giving preferences are if you aren’t already familiar (for birthdays and holidays are you given cash or tangible items?). In circles where physical gifts are given, you will be given something at the shower (which is specifically for physical gifts) and at the wedding.
If you don’t have a registry, on WW you will get the advice that guests will automatically give cash no matter what. That is true for their personal social circles but as a whole across the country it is not, because an equal number of people will gift eclectic or personalized items that can’t be returned if there is no registry. It’s to be prepared when guests ask, because they will. Even non-guests ask where you are registered because they want to share your happiness.
Registries have been around since the dawn of the department store and have been communicated via word of mouth only. It is impolite and greedy to list them on the wedding invite. Generally guests and non-guests ask your parents and wedding party (rarely is the couple asked but it does happen) where you are registered and they tell them over the phone or in person.
Having a registry is never greedy. You are being super helpful to your guests by having one. Some posts here mention “as a guest you must cover your plate at $100 per person minimum so the couple can break even or make a profit”. That is not how gifting works. You aren’t a club charging an admission fee but that is what the cover your plate boils down to. If a random guest decides to give that amount, that’s on them because they have no bill in hand with an actual price nor a possible way to estimate what you are paying per person, and couples online who have cash only circles say they didn’t come close to breaking even so don’t look at it as a moneymaker.
You can definitely list the website on your save the dates.

Hi Figgy! I'd definitely create a small registry for your bridal shower - physical gifts are the whole point of a shower!! You could include that registry information only on the shower invitations instead of also adding it to your wedding website!

If for some reason you can't get your wedding website on your Save-The-Dates then I'd send out a link to your website to all of your wedding guests over email!