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Updated Mar 06, 2025Elegant Honeymoon Fund Boxes That Won't Feel Tacky on the Big Day
Bonus: These pretty cardholders can be turned into keepsakes later.
by Kaitlin Stanford
Updated Aug 26, 2021
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something...crowd-funded? Forget the tired old wedding traditions from our parents' generation—these days, couples are writing their own rules and putting modern twists on outdated customs. One new trend you may have heard of? The honeymoon fund box—a simple and tasteful way for the soon-to-be newlyweds to ask for what they really want on their wedding day: Cash gifts!
We know, we know—the idea of asking for cash gifts can still feel a little taboo or even tacky at first. But when you really stop to think about it, it actually makes a lot of sense. The truth is, not everyone who ties the knot is just starting out in life. Surveys show that Americans are waiting to marry until increasingly older ages, which means that many couples already have what they need well before they get engaged. As a result, it can sometimes feel a bit redundant to have a wedding registry or even a bridal shower, which is why some brides are starting to opt-out of both entirely.
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Plus, the cost of even having a wedding—and all that comes with it—has increased, too. According to The Knot Real Weddings Survey, the average cost of a wedding in the US generally hovers somewhere around $28,000. And although that number dipped significantly last year due to COVID-19, it's expected to climb back up as restrictions continue to lift and wedding venues fully reopen.
In this article:
What Is a Honeymoon Fund Box?
A honeymoon fund box is pretty much just what it sounds like: a card or money box (and sometimes even a jar) that can hold envelopes filled with cards, checks, and cash at a wedding reception. It's usually a low-cost box frame made of wood, glass, or acrylic with the words "Honeymoon Fund" or "Wedding Cards" scrawled across the front so it doesn't get overlooked.
As for where it goes, that's up to you. Most couples try and place their honeymoon fund box in an obvious spot, like next to their wedding guest book (which will get a fair amount of foot traffic throughout the night) or even on its own table, similar to how you'd set up a regular wedding gift display. That way, all your gifts will be right in one place once the party is over, and you can easily collect them before heading on to the after-party.
Despite its name, the monetary gifts that get put in a honeymoon fund box can actually be used however newlyweds wish. In other words, you can put the cash towards your actual honeymoon, save it for a downpayment on a house or even put it right towards repaying those wedding bills. For that reason, some couples choose to label them "Wedding Fund" or even "Adventure Fund" boxes.
At the end of the day, cash gifts are practical and increasingly popular. No matter what you choose to call it, a honeymoon fund will help you get the wedding gifts you want and can actually use.
Honeymoon Fund Box Alternatives
If having a honeymoon fund box at the wedding still feels a bit awkward to you, there are definitely ways around that. Some couples opt to use them at smaller, more intimate wedding events, like the engagement party or bridal shower, where they can be seen as optional ways for guests to toss in a little something extra. Others would much rather set up digital cash funds, such as The Knot Cash Fund, which are becoming increasingly popular alternatives for modern couples.
These digital wish lists can be made in addition to a traditional wedding registry or in place of one, depending on your preference. Either way, you can include a simple URL on your wedding invitation or link right to it from your wedding website. This ensures guests will have a hassle-free way to navigate to your fund and send you a great gift before the big day even arrives.
Programs like The Knot Cash Fund also offer guests the ability to gift specific "experiences" to the newlyweds, which can range from relaxing massages to fun-filled honeymoon excursions. For older relatives, who may be a bit thrown by the lack of a "real" wedding registry, this particular feature can feel much more personal than simply sending over a sum of cash, which we're willing to bet they'll appreciate.
Shop These Honeymoon Fund Boxes
Unlike some other pieces of wedding decor you'll buy for your big day, honeymoon fund boxes don't have to cost a fortune. Plenty of couples even get creative and DIY their own wedding card box using a wooden box, some acrylic stickers, and a pretty decal or two. (If you're looking for some inspo, you can also search online for some high-quality printables to monogram the front with your names and your wedding date.)
But if DIY wedding decorations aren't really your thing—or you'd rather save yourself the stress and head to checkout now—scroll on for some sweet and simple honeymoon fund boxes that will fit any style or budget.
KnotWriteDesigns Honeymoon Fund Wooden Shadow Box
Talk about a timeless keepsake. This simple and elegant shadow box bank features all the most important dates from your relationship, from the "first day" to the "yes day" to the "best day" (AKA your wedding day!). The handmade item has also gotten plenty of five-star customer reviews on Etsy, where lots of newlyweds say they later turned it into a wine cork saver. (Clever, huh?)
KaraCreate Custom Last Name Shadow Box
Embrace your new family name with this sweet and simple acrylic shadow box. Its versatile style allows it to blend in seamlessly with pretty much any wedding theme, and it can even double as a family coin bank in the future.
ExceptionalEvent365 Personalized Adventure Fund Shadow Box
If you're looking for something a bit more unique, this custom adventure fund shadow box will not disappoint. The wooden cityscape on the front can be personalized to reflect your hometown, and you can opt to have it engraved with your names, so it can be used in the future to save for family trips, special outings and more.
GemsWeddingSupplies Wedding Fund/Honeymoon Fund Box
This dual-sided money box lets guests decide where they want their money to go, and features a pretty watercolor background design that coordinates well with the wedding greenery trend couples are loving right now. It's simple yet chic—just the vibe you want for your wedding!
OhHappyTimes Adventure Fund Savings Jar
If a rustic-looking shadow box isn't really your style, consider a honeymoon fund jar like this one, which has a cool, vintage vibe. Because of its narrow-neck design, it may not work for guests who've brought traditional wedding cards, but it could be a fun and low-pressure way for them to add a few extra bucks towards your future vacay.
BellaFloraGiftsByBA Honeymoon Fund Box
This fun and lighthearted shadow box is perfect for low-key weddings, backyard engagement parties, or even bridal showers. Its handmade design features wedding-themed stickers and decals that tell guests exactly what they're putting their money towards (which they're bound to appreciate).
WanderCollective Honeymoon Fund
This romantic little honeymoon fund box can be customized with the font color of your choosing and even lets you pick between a colorful "atlas-style" map of the world and a "vintage-style" one.
CustomWoodWonders Wedding Mason Jar
Wedding money boxes don't all have to look like ... well, boxes. They also don't have to house a guest's full wedding gift inside (since those often come in larger envelopes). Instead, this simple, rustic mason jar can be incorporated into any centerpiece display or added to the card table as a way for guests to contribute a few extra dollars or coins. (Hey, every little bit helps!)
Mainstays Tabletop Adventure Fund Wooden Bank
Designed to look like a mini-suitcase, this wooden coin bank might give guests a serious case of wanderlust. The acrylic front features the words "Adventure Fund," while a world map of the is printed on the back to get you dreaming of your next big trip.
WoodlandEdges Rustic Locked Card Box
This rustic wooden box is pretty much a work of art in and of itself. Each one is carefully handcrafted with two discrete card slots on either side and can be stained a variety of shades and colors to suit the look you're going for. Have it personalized with your first or last names, along with your wedding date, to create a lasting keepsake that can double as a stylish piece of home decor.
