5 Answers

I don't think there is any classy way of asking for money rather than gifts. A gift should be something that comes from the heart and not from a note. Kids ask for certain items, adults accept graciously what they receive as a gift. But hey, that's just me. Maybe this is acceptable in today's society now.

You don't. A gift is a gift, is a gift....

You don't tell people you want money.  Like the two ladies ahead of me have said, a gift is a gesture from the giver.  Suggestions can be made (as in a gift registry), but how are you going to let people know that you are registered at your local bank for the "gift" that you want.
However......when I got married, my fiance and I really did not need or want people to give us anything.  We were older and had established a home. We just wanted people to come to our wedding and enjoy!  Many of the guests would have to travel a distance, and it didn't seem right to expect a gift along with the expenses incurred just to be there.
A friend suggested that we include a note in our invitations that said, 
                                 "Your presence is our present".
It sounded perfect, so we did it.  Apparently, that was the cue for people to write checks.  It wasn't supposed to be that way, but that's what happened.  

accept the gift with much apppreciation and then return it for the cash....

Beats me, I always tell 'em I want the money.. LOL But that's me.. :(