we had a wishing well for our wedding - we'd both had fully furnished houses before we got together, so there was nothing we really needed (in fact, we were giving stuff away) - but our house needed major renovations - we asked that, if people had trouble deciding, that they get bunnings vouchers so that we could paint the house through. we got a lot of vouchers, mostly around $50 but anywhere from $20-$150, and were able to buy the pain the whole house inside, all the painting we needed outside, accessories, new lighting for inside, and half the pickets for the front fence. it was so nice to be able to show people what they're contribution went toward. we asked for vouchers though cos we know people who got married the year before us and asked for money for their front fence. it's now 28 months later, and they still don't have their fence - or anything else to show for the money. a lot of the same people were going to be at our wedding, and we wanted to let them know it wouldn't be wasted!

we also got some gorgeous keepsakes from people - and they meant just as much - don't feel obliged to put money in if you'd prefer to get them something small and personalised..