Wedding gift registries have come a long way since the days of registering for place settings, silverware and linens. With college graduates struggling to find jobs and some even having to move back home with their parents, planning a lavish wedding is unthinkable to many young couples. Add to that the desire to buy a first home while planning a wedding and the obstacles to starting a life together begin to seem insurmountable.

Thankfully, wedding etiquette has changed in recent years and it’s no longer considered tacky or rude to ask for money as a wedding gift rather than a toaster or set of bathroom towels. The key is asking for it in the right way so you don’t offend anyone. There will always be people who are old-fashioned and may not agree with these new wedding registries, but times change. If you find yourself needing the cash, you can feel free to embrace this new trend.

Deposit a Gift is a cash registry site that allows you to choose any number of ways to earmark the funds deposited for you. Whether you just need the cash for expenses, are saving for a dream honeymoon, put a down payment on a house or have a baby on the way, Deposit a Gift gives you all these options and more. You can also set up your own wedding website here to help you plan and manage your entire wedding from one site.

Feather Our Nest is a mortgage wedding registry. Family and friends can give money to a couple to help them save for a new home. Since many young couples are struggling to save for a wedding and a new home, this is a great registry to set up.

Honeymoon Wishes is a honeymoon registry with a twist. Rather than your guests just giving money to one single fund, couples register for individual items to enjoy while on their honeymoon. For example, a couple might want to save up money for a night in a luxury suite, a helicopter tour over an island, a special bottle of wine with dinner or couples massages. Then, guest can “purchase” the item they want to give to the bride and groom, or donate money to a larger item the couple is saving for. This type of registry is great for the people who prefer traditional registries. Your guests will feel like they are giving you something more tangible, as well as helping you create a special memory on your honeymoon.

Most registries will include ways to alert your guests to your wishes. Some give a few different options, including email, wedding websites or even traditional cards that can be included in your invitations.

It’s important to remember that you will still have guests who prefer purchasing gifts from a traditional registry. It never hurts to set up a registry at a department or specialty store with the items usually given as wedding gifts, in addition to any specialty registry you set up.

Coming right out and asking for money is never ok. However, utilizing one of these alternative registries is a great option if you find yourself in the position of needing the cash for your honeymoon, a down payment on a house or for a baby on the way.

Yvone Kon is a freelance writer, blogger and mom. She frequently writes about weddings, wedding planning, wedding entertainment. She also writes content for a wedding band in Scotland on a regular basis, Northern Star Music. She is the author of the blogEventSpiration, providing inspiration and ideas for weddings, parties and holidays. For information on freelance writing projects, please contact her via her blog.