Engaged NYC couple adds unconventional option to wedding registry: Lasting investment

A Brooklyn couple ready to tie the knot in June are approaching their wedding registry with an unconventional option for friends and family.“Since we’re having a destination wedding, minimizing physical gifts makes things simpler, and not everyone feels drawn to contribute to a honeymoon,” says Eliza Palasz.Palasz and her fiancé, Patrick Rooney, have planned a summer wedding in Canada.Their registry, which includes traditional options such as salad plates and air fryers, allows guests to contribute to a home down payment.“A future home feels like a thoughtful, lasting investment that friends and family can be part of—no matter the size of their contribution,” says Palasz.It’s not an uncommon request anymore — 48% of newlywed homeowners (buyers married within the past two years) actually asked for money toward their down payments instead of typical wedding gifts, according to a recent LendingTree survey.

At the same time, a 2023 Realtor.com survey found that 30% of wedding attendees are open to giving financial gifts toward homebuying expenses in lieu of more traditional presents.Though 35% of newlywed homeowners say their wedding expenses delayed homeownership plans, receiving gift funds as part of a registry is definitely a way for couples to rebuild their coffers.“We definitely don’t expect to receive enough for a full down payment right after the wedding — but whatever we do receive will absolutely be set aside for that purpose, because I’d honestly feel too guilty using it for anything else,” says Palasz.“This money will go toward a future home — it just might take a few years to get there.”Rooney has definitely put thought into how he wants to manage any gifted monies they receive from their wedding registry.“Depending on how quickly we are able to save up, I have a one-to-three year-ish plan, and a three-plus-year plan,” says Rooney, who is basically thinking mostly high-yield savings accounts or bonds.

“It has ...