I can honestly say I can't remember the last time I gave a present at a Wedding. Asking for money seems to be the done thing these days, I did & didn't get any negative feedback. There were family members who didn't want to give money & that's fine too they just bought a present. I had a present table with the wishing well (a big vase) on it & they could place a present or put the card in the vase.

I think if people don't agree with it they should keep the opinion to themselves & bring a present.

The way I see it, you are paying a heap of money for the day & feeding everyone, supplying their drinks, entertainment etc. So why can't you ask for what you want. Also many people live together before marriage as they didn't in the past so you already have a lot of things. Go for it, if you are not sure about the poem google it there are so many to choose from, or you could write your own.

I suppose people like to know the money is going toward something decent. We bought a bed setting we plan to have for the next 10yrs & let everyone know that's where it went. If you are looking to put it towards your honeymoon you could get a honeymoon registry, that goes through the travel agent & they contact the agent & pay $$$ towards the honeymoon. Then they know you didn't just use it for spending money IYKWIM.