Here’s why we love Patchwork...

Did you know that wedding gift registry was created by Macy’s in the 1920s? Yep. That’s 100 years ago — so it’s no surprise that the traditional gifts we expect from them are starting to feel a little dated.

Up until recent decades, most couples waited until marriage to move in together, which is why registries are typically full of homeware essentials like glassware, cutlery, crockery and linen. But now, if you’re like most engaged couples in that you’re already cohabiting before the big day, you probably want something a bit more special or exciting than a new toaster, like funding towards travel, a new home, or even just the wedding itself! 

Us Brits can feel a bit squeamish about asking for cash instead of wedding gifts — and most of our family and friends want to get something a little more sentimental than a bank transfer.

This was the case for Patchwork founder, Olivia. When planning her own wedding, her family already had a “flat full of stuff” and what they really wanted was contributions towards their Cuban honeymoon.

“We didn’t just want to ask people for cold, hard cash.” she says. “It just felt embarrassing and weird and we knew it would make all our guests feel awkward. So I created a website that let me upload photos of all the experiences we wanted to enjoy as a family. Then people could see our plans and choose what part of our adventure they wanted to treat us to.”

Described as ‘Pinterest meets Kickstarter’, Patchwork gives your guests the option to contribute time, skills or cash to your wedding registry, instead of fixed presents. They just choose from your shoppable moodboard (a.k.a your ‘Patchwork’) — whether it’s £500 towards your honeymoon flights, £2 for a beer on the beach, or simply asking someone to make holiday dinner reservations on your behalf. It instantly eliminates all the awkwardness of requesting gifts, for everyone involved. As THE UN-WEDDING founder Melissa puts it, "it feels like a more collective experience."

They’re free to create and share, too. You’ll get a unique URL to add to social media, emails or invites, so your guests can check them out whenever they want. Need inspiration? Check out this Ibiza hen-do fund or this Crowdfund Our Wedding list.

It’s also okay if you change your mind about what you want. The money you receive goes straight to your Paypal or Stripe account, so ultimately, it’s up to you where you put the pennies. And, there’s no need to worry that you’ll end up with duplicate helpers, as you can put a limit on how many people you’d like to contribute specific tasks, so you don’t end up with five DJ’s at your wedding reception, or 20 people bringing along a homemade cake — unless that’s what you want, of course!

If you’d like to know more, head to their website or follow them over on Instagram at @patchwork_it 

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.