Should guests pay for the wedding?
Obviously the recession is forcing most people to tighten their belts when it comes to their usual frivolous spending, but one couple in Atlanta, Ga. is taking it one step further. Vanessa Caldwell and Cole Parker, who are planning their wedding, decided to set up a website where guests could use PayPal to contribute money instead of gifts.
“We don’t need pots and pans or a registry, we need a wedding,” Caldwell told ABCNews.com.
Since the media coverage, their website Dollarforawedding.com has been slammed with hits. So far the couple has raised $750 dollars for their $2,000 budget wedding. Many wedding vendors are also providing free services in exchange for sponsorship on the couple’s website.
But despite Caldwell and Cole’s success in raising money, they’re also being publicly criticized for their nontraditional methods, with many people calling the couple’s actions “tacky” and “selfish.”
“I don’t see how I’m selfish,” Caldwell said about the criticisms. “It’s the same thing as asking guests to buy you crazy gifts like the ones you see on registries all the time, like a Wii or a microwave that costs $200 and you would never buy yourself.”
What do you guys think? Is asking for money from guests tacky or smart?
Love,
Engagement 101
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YES! GO for it. The point of the wedding is to share your love and to come together and share it with your friends and family. You’re merely asking for a wedding as the wedding gift INSTEAD of the actual gifts off a registry which, by the way, could have cost substantially MORE overall.
It’s not like you’re charging admission. Vanessa and Cole seem like decent folk who don’t take things for granted. They probably figure “why asking for NEW gifts when we could use WHAT WE HAVE and ask for a wedding instead where we could share in our joy…”
Secondly, it’s not like people haven’t asked for money before in order to pay for their weddings! (HELLO! Many families will put a box out for $$$ gifts at receptions – Puh lease!).
There are also substantial incidentals and other costs that pop up that will definitely be frayed by the influx of cash. I also didn’t see them asking for money or other freebies for a honey moon (which I think folks should give extra toward if their own budget permits. Who couldn’t use an inexpensive 4 day weekend on the beach or in a cozy mountain cottage?)
This is NOT an unreasonable request folks.
I agree with the above comment that you are asking for a wedding as your wedding gift. I think it’s a great idea. My husband read this article and asked how come he couldn’t register for a Wii…
I do not see anything wrong with what they are doing and if I could have done it myself, I would. Those who are just criticizing them are just probably jealous because they took the idea first. There are a lot of couples who would probably do what they are doing, but just couldn’t have the guts to do it.
Never should the guest pay 4 the wedding.. People go 2 the wedding and reception 2 celabrate u lifes 2gether not 2 brake the bank..
No one said that a guest HAD to pay, no more than they HAVE to bring a gift.
“In lieu of gifts…”
Again… not unreasonable.