Putting a modern spin on the outdated wishing well, online wish registries allow couples to accept monetary gifts toward items they want or need, but that would be too expensive for one single guest to purchase.
Instead of requesting, say, a soup tureen or candlesticks, the bride and groom can use a wish-based wedding registry to help pay for airline tickets for the honeymoon, fund home repairs, or even make a contribution to their favorite charity.
A wish registry allows the couple to make monetary requests in a tasteful way, but not everyone will be on board with a cash registry from the get-go: there may be a few "nay-sayers" who are uncomfortable with the concept for various reasons.
Here are a few common criticisms, and tips for handling them:

• "Using the Internet for a gift registry is tacky.
  " This is the most basic argument against wish registries, and it also has the most basic counter: this is simply not true anymore.
  Most aspects of daily life have migrated to the web, including wedding planning and bridal registries.
  Etiquette experts agree: using the Internet to help plan weddings is efficient for everyone involved and is socially acceptable.
  
• "Online wish registries are too complicated.
  " This criticism usually comes from older guests who may not be tech-savvy.
  The best way to respond is to explain how this type of wedding registry works and how easy it is to use.
  You can even offer to walk them through the process.
  
• "The gifts on the wish registry are too expensive.
  " This roughly translates to "I don't understand how wish registries work.
  " Explain that, yes, some of the items on the wish registry are more expensive than those on a traditional bridal registry, but that they are not expected them to spend any more than they would for a traditional wedding present.
  Point out that there is a wide range of gift options at all price points, and that multiple guests can contribute any amount toward costlier items.
  Best of all, they won't have to worry about wrapping or shipping gifts.
  

Weddings are about coming together as a community to celebrate the union of two people who love each other.
With wish registries, guests have the opportunity to do just that in a meaningful way: by joining together to present the couple with what they truly need and helping them start their new life together on sound financial footing.