Etiquette Experts Criticize McCord and Cipriani for Asking Guests to Pay Wedding Costs

AnnaLynne McCord and her fiancé Danny Cipriani are facing some sharp criticism for setting up a Honeyfund page that asks wedding guests to pay for parts of their big day. The American star, famous for hits like "90210," "Nip/Tuck" and "Days of Our Lives," teams up with the English rugby pro. They invited people to chip in for specific items on their wish list, covering costs from $100 up to $600. That money would buy a marriage license, drinks at the reception, photography services, rehearsal dinner meals and flower arrangements.

Some folks are calling this move "tacky." Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert based in Texas, told Fox News Digital that using the word is ugly but asking guests for cash is unkind. "It really is impolite to straight out ask for cash," she said. She argues you should let family members speak on your behalf instead of letting a website do all the talking. Gottsman insists every couple needs a registry so guests have choices, yet putting a direct request for money sets a wrong tone right away. Cash is easy to hand over and works fine as an option for honeymoon funds or a home down payment, but it cannot be the only choice available.

"Some guests prefer to give a gift," Gottsman noted. "It's a gracious act of giving that they're doing for you." She added that a gift isn't just an admission ticket to the ceremony; a registry makes things smoother, but visitors can still do what they like. A cash option is perfectly fine, yet asking people to pay for the wedding itself feels off-putting.

Online discussions on Reddit show attitudes are mixed. Some users say this practice is a modern trend that everyone accepts now. One person replied that most weddings in recent years have been mainly cash registries and they saw no problem with it. Another couple shared their story: they did exactly what McCord's team did, faced no backlash, and collected money from almost everyone except one friend who offered either cash or a meat subscription box. Since the couple loves to cook and good meat is expensive, they took that gift instead of getting surprise presents from those who refused to give cash.

Another Redditor identified as Asian explained that in their culture, money is the only gift given or received. "Can someone please explain to me why it is such a 'bad' thing to not have a physical registry?" they wrote. "If I want something, you giving me the money will let me buy it." They argued that if people already own what they need, cash can help cover wedding costs or any other expense because money is the most versatile gift of all. That user asked why American culture sees this so negatively.

The answer lies in a deep-seated taboo around money in the U.S. People are not supposed to talk about finances at all. Asking for it or swapping cash directly goes against that norm, which is why society focuses on signaling wealth indirectly rather than being open about funds.

We live in an era where flaunting wealth happens through designer bags or big weddings, not by posting screenshots of bank statements. Yet the conversation is shifting online. A user on Reddit recently wondered if it would be rude to ask for money instead of physical gifts for her upcoming wedding. She quickly edited that post to say she changed her mind and decided cash would just be one option among others on her registry.

Advice from the forum was simple: just set up a honeymoon fund and list few or no physical items, and most people will take the hint. Gottsman told couples they should really think about the ask before making such a request. The tone of the celebration changes completely when you put cash at the center. Guests ought to throw a wedding they can afford because asking for money sets a different atmosphere than one built on tradition.

If a guest is reluctant to chip in, Gottsman said there is still a gracious way to decline. You might say, I have something else in mind, and Im really hoping you enjoy it rather than claiming you are not giving cash because it annoys you. A timeless gift for any couple remains something sentimental and thoughtful that you know they will like. If you do not have ideas of your own, give them something they can return. Make sure you always include a gift receipt, Gottsman reminded us.