Wedding gift customs are changing in the United States. Instead of listing household items such as dishes and towels, more engaged couples are asking for cash to help pay for their first home together. As home prices and housing costs climb, wedding gifts are shifting toward practicality.
More couples in the U.S. are requesting cash as wedding gifts, The Wall Street Journal reported on the 28th. In a 2026 survey by the wedding planning site Zola, 87% of engaged couples said they had added or planned to add a cash fund to their gift registry. About 40% of them said they would use the money to buy a home or cover moving costs.
In the U.S., it is common for engaged couples to list items they need on a "wedding registry," from which guests choose a gift. Kitchenware, bedding and towels are typical entries.
Recently, however, "cash funds" — in which money is registered for a specific purpose — have been spreading. In the Zola survey, 41% of couples who registered a cash fund said they planned to use the money to buy a home or move. Honeymoons and travel were the most common purpose at 88%, but housing ranked as another major use.
The rising cost of buying a home is one factor. Existing-home prices climbed about 40% between 2020 and 2025, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Prices have remained high this year as well. The median existing-home price was $429,100 in August 2026, NAR said.
"It Feels More Like a Gift Than Just Handing Over $100"
Some couples have already put home-buying funds on their registries. Anna Grace Nimmo and Matt Dressler, who live in Westchester County north of New York City, added a "home fund" to their registry when they married in May. Guests contributed a total of $2,000.
"I think ours is a generation that can be honest about not being able to afford a home," Nimmo said. "Pooling money this way feels more like a gift than just handing over $100."
There are caveats, however, to using wedding gift money for an actual home purchase. When applying for a mortgage, lenders may verify whether the funds are a gift rather than money that must be repaid.
Lenders can request gift letters, transfer records and bank account statements. The Journal said it is advisable to receive such funds at least 60 days before applying for a mortgage.
Even couples who request cash should be considerate of their guests, according to some advice. Myka Meier, a wedding etiquette expert, said it is best to also include physical items on the registry for guests who prefer traditional gifts. When asking for cash, she said, it comes across more naturally to explain a specific plan, such as buying a home, rather than simply asking for money.
