Wedding Shower Money Tree Ideas

Asking for Cash: An Etiquette Faux Pas

Having a money tree is considered by most wedding planning experts to be a faux pas. Along with the controversial cash bars and dollar dances, a money tree is traditionally viewed to be a ploy for cash by a money-grubbing couple.

While most people do bring tangible or cash gifts to showers and weddings, the primary event is to celebrate the union of the bride and groom. Therefore a wedding gift is not required.

Although it has become more acceptable to include registry cards in showers hosted by non-family members, hosting a shower where guests are expected to give cash or that centers on money should be avoided.

Wedding Shower Money Tree Ideas

Despite being considered improper etiquette, a number of people still want to work money trees into a bridal shower. Simply because an etiquette book or expert advises against a practice does not mean that certain people or even entire social circles will disdain the practice.

Keep Cash Contributions Optional

If you are hosting a shower and know that money trees are commonplace for the couple’s friends and family, you may be able to include the tree in your planning. To keep from making the entire shower centered on giving cash, follow these tips and ideas:

• Use word-of-mouth to spread the idea of cash as a gift, instead of printing a silly and blatant poem on the wedding shower invitations asking for money.
• Have the tree tucked away in a corner of the room or hall -- not at the guestbook, near gifts, or at the door.
• Provide plain white envelopes to keep guests’ gift amounts private (and anonymous, if they should choose).

Do not call attention to the tree by making an “announcement” or having guests line up to contribute. They will inevitably make their way to the tree and give a monetary gift if they see fit. Additionally, avoid presenting the tree to the bride-to-be during the shower. Give her the tree after the party.

Gift Certificate Trees

Another way to incorporate a money tree into a wedding shower is by going in with several friends or relatives and actually making the tree, with attached and filled envelopes, your gift.

Get together with your friends and make them a tree for a mini-vacation in their hometown made up of gift certificates. One person could contribute a certificate for a spa treatment for 2, while another could include miniature golfing tickets, and yet another could include restaurant gift certificates.

You could also theme certificates around the following:

• Restaurants
• Tourist attractions
• Pampering
• Movies
• Theater productions
• Concerts

Ask your co-workers, friends, and family members if they would like to participate in these types of wedding shower money tree ideas. Collect the certificates before the shower and attach them to the tree. Individual certificates could have been signed by the gift-giver, or a group card may be given. Present the gift certificate tree to the bride at her shower.

This allows you to get fun gifts for the couple and have an element of a money tree without making guests feel pressured into giving cash.

Word-of-Mouth is Best

For the couple who truly wants or needs cash gifts at their wedding, using word-of-mouth is the best way to go about it. Let close friends and family members know that you would prefer cash and let them spread the word to others who inquire about gifts.

At showers where a money tree will be present, do not write anything regarding the tree on the shower invitation. Offending potential wedding guests is not the way to start a shower. Instead, spread the idea to others who inquire about gifts by word-of-mouth. Tell them where the bride is registered and that a money tree will be available at the shower, but always mention that participation is entirely optional.

Hosting a shower for the bride or couple is a celebration of the upcoming union between two people who love each other. Stick with the accepted proper etiquette and simply do not have a money tree. If you must have a tree at the shower, use creative wedding shower money tree ideas to keep guests from being offended and avoid making it the center of attention.