Etiquette of Asking

21 Poems For Money Trees & Wishing Wells

With so many couples marrying later, living together before saying I do, or simply accumulating household goods along the way, it's little wonder more people are opting for 'wishing wells', 'money trees' or some variation on the theme in place of a traditional bridal registry.

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After all, there really is no need to stock up on fine china if you won't use it, and who doesn't already have a toaster? However, asking for money isn't easy, no matter how you approach it, so we've prepared a few cleverly crafted wording and poem ideas for your wishing well or money tree - without causing offence.

Etiquette of Asking

Only place gift registry cards or 'money' poems in wedding invitations of guests who won't be offended to receive the card.  If in doubt, leave out, your family and bridal party members can discreetly spread the word.

A diplomatic idea would be to set up a wedding gift registry as well,  so that guests who would rather give you someething other than cash, can do so.  

Witty ways to word your wishing well or money tree from our members:

1. Just Give Cash...

So what do you get
For the Bride and Groom
Whose house needs things
In every room?

When shopping for a present
Please, don’t be rash
As the option is there
To just give cash!

We hope that you don’t find
Our request to be funny
But the decision is yours
To buy a present, or give money

Now you have the choice
Please do not fuss
The most important thing of all
Is that you come celebrate with us!
Submitted by Cindy Fuller

2. What Do You Get The Bride & Groom...

They have their dishes and towels for two,
They have pots and pans and oven mitts too.
So what do you get for the bride & groom
whose house is setup in every room?

Their house needs repairs and some upgrades too,
But you can not register for carpet and glue.
A tree that grows wishes is the way to go,
so lets make it easy for all that know.

An envelope will be provided for those who have room,
To give a monetary wish to the bride and groom.
A money tree will be on display at the reception hall
to attach your wishes, for the couple, with love from all.
Submitted by Belinda Blackburn

3. Quite Complete...

Our home is quite complete now,
we've been together long.
So please consider our request,
and do not take us wrong.

A delicate request it is,
we hope you understand.
Please play along, as it will give
our married life a hand.

The tradition of the wishing well,
is one that's known by all.
Go to the well, toss in a coin
and as the coin does fall.

Make a wish upon that coin,
and careful as you do.
Cause as the well's tradition goes,
your wishes will come true.

So on this special day or ours,
the day that we'll be wed.
Don't hunt for special gifts
but give money is it's stead.

And as you drop the envelope,
with money great and small,
Remember, make your wish
as you watch your money fall.
Submitted by Lisa & Daryl Stack

4. Travelling Once More...

Whilst in a foreign land,
(Brides Name) had many adventures grand,
None of which could ever compare,
To the wonderful love
That she and (Grooms Name) share.

The couple will marry
whilst travelling once more,
And her family shall come
to foreign shore.(Bride) and (Groom)
have considered the options,
as guests bearing gifts,
will come to considerable exertions.
And the airline restrictions
will also apply,
to the bride and the groom
when home they must fly.

In the place of a gift
With traditional style,
A paper gift would
bring many a smile.

A gift of paper has many a meaning,
it may be cash,
or a voucher for their favourite store,
the promise of a special favour,
Whenst the couple return
to settle into their lives
as husband and wife.

Many thanks for your consideration,
in receiving this request,
as surely you will realise
It's definitely for the best.
Submitted by JuicyBear

5. Join Us...

We hope that you will join us,
on this our special day,
To celebrate our union
in a very special way.

To make it easy for you
and avoid a shopping spree
We thought that we would have instead,
a little money tree.

Because we've been together,
for a while now,
We collected all our household things
before we took our vows.

An envelope has been included
for you to bless our tree,
No name is required for each gift,
as anonymity is the key!

So please don't be offended
at our new type of request,
Just telling everyone our wish,
has really put us to the test!
Submitted by Jo-Anne

6. Minimum Fuss...

This is written on a daisy shaped paper pocket:

If you are having trouble finding just the gift for us,
This may prove a solution with a minimum of fuss.
Just pop your gift inside the flower and pin it to our tree,
And make a wish for happiness forever ours to be.
Submitted by Michelle

7. Deposit On Our Giving Tree...

We made a commitment some time ago
that together through life we were destined to go.

We purchased our furniture, linen and bedding,
in the fulfilling years leading up to our wedding.

What else we might need is not easy to foresee,
but what might help us in the future is a deposit on our Giving Tree.
Submitted by Amy

8. Save You Looking...

To save you looking,
shopping and buying,
Here is an idea
we hope you'll like trying!

Come to our wedding
to wish us both well,
And make some use
of our little wishing well.

Just put some money into a card,
Now make a wish....
See, that wasn't hard!

Now that we have saved you all of the fuss,
We hope that you will come
And celebrate with us!
Submitted by Lisa

9. Possessions Are Plentiful...

(Bride) & (Groom)'s worldly possessions are plentiful as such,
on their wedding present list there isn't really much.

Their home is quite complete, as they've been together so long
So please consider our request , but do not take it wrong.

On this special day, the day they'll be wed
There's a register for gifts , or give money instead.

A gilded cage will be on display at the reception hall
To deposit your wishes for the couple with love from all.

An envelope will be provided for those who have room
To bestow a gift upon the bride & groom.

This delicate request, we hope you understand
Please ponder over this, to give their married life a hand.
Anonymous

10. We'd Prefer A Donation...

Because at first we lived in sin
We've got the sheets and a rubbish bin!
A gift from you would be swell
But we'd prefer a donation
to our Wishing Well!
Submitted by Janine

11.Money Chest...

This little rhyme may be sublime
For some of our wedding guests
And what we ask is a difficult task
But we're having two money chests.
Submitted by Emily

12. What To Get...

So what do you get for the bride & groom,
Whose house needs some things in every room?

Some things are large, some things are small,
Some things they just don't really need at all!

For those things small this happy two,
Have supplied a gift registry for you.

For those things large a wish tree's the way,
To say congratulations on the big day.

An envelope will be provided for those who have room,
To give a monetary wish to the bride and groom.

A wish tree will be on display at the reception hall,
To attach your wishes, for the couple, with love from all.
Submitted by Bella

13. Contribute Towards The Bigger Things...

As we are already established, we would appreciate a monetary gift.
It will contribute towards the bigger things we need.
Should you prefer this option a money tree will be provided at the reception.
Submitted by Gracie

14.Filled With Your Love...

Now we are to be Mr & Mrs
We don't need a wedding list of dishes
We have two kettles, two toasters, a microwave
We require a house for which we have to save.
If you would like to give us a monetary gift this would give us a lift
We like to think of it as our "Wishing Well"
Which will be filled with your love, we can tell.
Submitted by Shelley

15. We've Already Bought...

In our house we have the things
that living together normally brings
most household items we've already bought
and because of this reason we thought
A wishing well would be great
(only if guests wish to participate)
A gift of money is placed in an envelope
so in the future we hope
to furnish our home to its very best
and always remember it was due to our guests.
Submitted by Shelley

16. Wishing Well Will Await...

A wishing-well will await
to help build loving nest...
If instead a gift would buy,
ask our Mums - they know best
- and details that can end your quest!
Alison Styles of Styles Of Writing

17. Doesn't Grow On Trees...

Money doesn't grow on trees...
We're sure you get the drift.
It will, however, pave our way
'blooming' as our gift!
Alison Styles of Styles Of Writing

18. Thank You Now...

For adding to our Money Tree,
we'd like to thank you now -
also just for being here
to share our mutual vow...
Alison Styles of Styles Of Writing

19. Money Is Attractive...

Love the joy of choosing gifts?
Wrap the chosen captive?
If thoughts elude in this regard
... money is attractive!
Alison Styles of Styles Of Writing

20. Wish Us Well...

Our household thoughts are not brand new,
We have twice the things we need for two
Since we have our share of appliances and beddingWe're having instead a wishing well weddingBut more important we ask of you Your prayers of love and blessings too?

21. Wish Us Well...second time around

Our household things are not brand new,

We have twice what we need as it's wedding two

Since we have our share of appliances and bedding

We're having instead having a wishing well wedding

But more important we ask of you

Your prayers of love and blessings for our wedding take two.

Wedding Favours: How to Choose the Right One for Your Wedding

Wedding Favours

One of the most creative elements of a wedding is choosing favours for the big day. Wedding favours are given away as tokens of your appreciation to guests for participating in you and your spouse’s special day. You want your favours to reflect both you and your spouse’s distinct personality! If you’re on a tight budget, you can create your own wedding favours. If you got the budget, then your choice is virtually limitless.
Unfortunately, because there are literally thousands of wedding favours to choose from, picking just one can be quite challenging. The last thing you want are wedding favours that stick out like a sore thumb! To help you choose the right favours to give away on your wedding day, consider these tips:

Focus On The Wedding Theme

To find the right wedding decor, consider the theme of your wedding. If the color scheme is blue and silver, you can create candy bags with blue and silver wrapped treats. For carnival themed soirees, you can offer popcorn and candied apple treats as wedding favours.

For garden or spring weddings, you can use scented candles decorated with fresh blooms or mini potted plants with a thank you note as give-aways.

Add Local Elements

If your wedding is held in states with a regional speciality, then don’t be afraid to show off the local flavors in your wedding favours. For example, if it’s a beach setting, colorful buckets filled with beach essentials make a perfect wedding giveaway as well as star fish paperweights, clear bottles filled with sand, shells and trinkets.

For mountain weddings, cute hand or neck warmers make an interesting giveaway. You can also give away bottled local delicacies as wedding favours. Just add a touch of personality on each favour with ribbons or other decors.

Season-Appropriate favours

If say, you are planning a fall wedding, you can use pumpkin-based goodies or candy apple treats as giveaways. For those who love beach weddings, personalized sunscreen bottles or beach towels are great wedding favours ideas. For spring weddings, you can either offer DIY wedding favours encrusted with local blooms, edible favours or even garden sprinkles in cute tin cans as giveaway!

Double-Duty Wedding Giveaways

Practical giveaways make the perfect keepsakes. From quirky bottle openers, salt and pepper shakers, small jewelry boxes, champagne flutes or textured ring pillows, there are various giveaways that are just as useful as they are beautiful.

Give Back

If you are passionate about supporting a certain foundation, a research group or a non-profit organization, you can request your guests to make donations to your favourite charity instead and give away a simple, personalized thank you note for every donation received. Just make sure you get a receipt for tax purposes.
When it comes to wedding favours, the options are limitless! You can find the right favours by focusing on the theme of your wedding, the color scheme as well as the location of the wedding. Just make sure that whatever favour you choose, don’t forget to have fun! Preparing your wedding is a momentous occasion that will literally change your life so make sure your favours are worthy reflection of this happy occasion.

Blog by Ryan ZHU, The Function Room—Event Hire

Style Guide Cocktail Recipes

Style Guide Cocktail Recipes

The perfume of garden fresh herbs is absolutely heady, build their leaves into drinks as well as your decoration and their power will be twice as good. Talented drinks gurus give us the recipes for the best brews.

Style Guide Mojito

Each of the many species of mint has it's own fresh tasting, aromatic foliage.
Spearmint mint gives a lift to punch; applemint is a pleasant addition to fruit salads and desserts.
Mint is very popular in Middle Eastern cuisine, whichever type of mint you use, it will work a treat.

INGREDIENTS
3 fresh mint sprigs
2 tsp sugar syrup
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
50ml light rum
1/2 cup crushed ice
Soda Water
Lime segments to serve

Put the mint, sugar syrup, lime juice and rum into a tumbler, using a muddling stick to pound the mint leaves.
Add crushed ice and stir until mint is spread evenly through the glass.
Top with the soda water and stir.
Serve with lime segments and a sprig of mint if desired.
Makes one drink.

Strawberry and Basil Martini

Sweet Basil is a deliciously aromatic annual herb with with a soft and succulent stem and bright green leaves. It’s a great favourite in Italian cookery and is often married with ripe tomatoes. Our martini recipe combines basil with strawberries, an innovative combo.

INGREDIENTS
750ml vodka
3 heads of basil
1/2 punnet of strawberries
15ml sugar syrup

Infuse vodka with basil and the strawberries for up to two weeks.
The infused vodka will make 10 cocktails.
Pour the sugar syrup and 75ml of the infused vodka into a cocktail shaker with crushed ice.
Stir well and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with a basil leaf and serve.
Makes one drink.

Lemongrass Mule

Each of the many species of mint has it's own fresh tasting, aromatic foliage.
What would Thai cooking be without lemon grass? The flavour is an important signature. The leaves have a very appealing lemon taste, their base is thick and fleshy and adds a tangy taste, in a cocktail, it’s a taste sensation.

INGREDIENTS
45mls 42 Below Vodka
1 fresh lemon grass stalk chopped
1/2 fresh lime chopped
4-6 fresh mint leaves
Ginger beer
15mls sugar syrup

In a cocktail shaker bash the lemongrass with a muddling stick.
Add vodka, lime, mint, sugar syrup and one scoop of ice.
Shake vigorously and pour into a tall glass, top with ginger beer and garnish with a lemongrass swizzle stick.
Makes one drink.

French Connection

Rocket has reached legendary status in modern salads, so much so that it is giving lettuce a run for it's money.
The leaves have a distinct aromatic flavour that can be described as nutty, they have a very pretty shape that makes them a natural for presentation.

INGREDIENTS
5 ml Campari
8 rocket leaves, plus one extra to to garnish
20 ml Grand Marnier
40 ml Gin
Juice from 1/2 a pink grapefruit
2 squeezes of lemon

Rinse martini glass with Campari.
In a cocktail shaker bash the rocket with a muddling stick, then add the remaining ingredients with a scoop of ice.
Shake, then strain into a martini glass and garnish with a rocket leaf.
Makes one drink.

Apple and Rosemary Martini

Rosemary has spiky, narrow leaves, blue flowers and a big flavour.
Traditionally it is teamed with lamb and is an important component in most combinations of mixed herbs.
It can can also be drunk as a tea, but why drink tea when you can have it in a martini?

INGREDIENTS
1 piece of lemon rind
1 sprig of fresh Rosemary plus 1 extra to garnish
50ml Millers Gin
10ml Cinzano Bianco
15ml Massenez Pomme verte
A dash of rosemary sugar syrup

Firstly rub the lemon rind inside a martini glass so that some oils are released.
In a cocktail shaker bash the rosemary with a muddling stick, then add the remaining ingredients with a scoop of ice.
Shake and then strain into the glass, garnish with a rosemary sprig. Sugar syrup is made by boiling equal quantities of sugar and water. To make rosemary sugar syrup, infuse a rosemary sprig in the boiling syrup.

"Cheers!"

The Winner Is...

We're happy to announce that the winner of the Beclau Homewares competition we've run over the last couple of weeks is... Ms Vanessa Taylor. Congratulations Vanessa! Beclau Homewares will be in contact with you regardig the delivery of your set of six Dibbern glasses, valued at $135. Thanks to all who entered!





Posted by Emilie Harrison

Last Chance to Win!

If you're keen to get your hands on a set of six hand-blown Dibbern Amber glass tumblers, valued at $135, you still have a chance, thanks to Beclau Homewares. Simply register to receive their newsletter by the 31st May and go into the draw to win! The winner will be announced on the Beclau Homewares facebook and twitter pages so keep your eyes peeled. Good luck! Visit www.beclauhomewares.com.au to register.





Posted by Emilie Harrison

*Beclau Homewares Competition*

If you're keen to win a set six fabulous hand-blown Dibbern Amber glass tumblers valued at $135, thanks to our friends at Beclau Homewares, simply register to receive their newsletter by the 31st May and go into the draw to win! The winner will be announced on the Beclau Homewares facebook and twitter pages so keep your eyes peeled. Good luck! Visit www.beclauhomewares.com.au to register.





Posted by Emilie Harrison

Follow Our Lead

If you're looking for some lovely styling pieces to accent your reception, or home, have a look at the newly launched shop at Love Loans + Linen. Our friend Jessie Doherty from Follow Studio designed the website – one look and you'll recognise Jessie's restrained, understated style.







We were lucky enough to have Jessie design the stationery for our Bloom Boom story in Issue 16. Her beautiful, simple typography complements the delicate Liberty floral fabric perfectly.



Visit Follow Studio to see many more wedding stationery designs - it will be impossible to choose a favourite as they are all divine.

Posted by Jane Cameron