Is it appropriate to ask wedding guests to donate to the Obama Event Registry?

Who needs a new set of crystal wine glasses? Instead of Pottery Barn, President Barack Obama wants engaged couples to register for donations toward his fall re-election campaign.

Word is quickly spreading of the Obama Event Registry — the President’s newest fundraising initiative that asks supporters to collect campaign contributions to help keep him in office in lieu of birthday, anniversary or wedding gifts.

“It’s a great way to support the President on your big day,” the announcement reads on BarackObama.com. “Plus, it’s a gift that we can all appreciate — and goes a lot further than a gravy bowl.”

The unconventional tactic has both political pundits and brides-to-be buzzing, with many wondering if such a wedding-day request is appropriate.

“I wouldn’t consider it, and I’m a Democrat who supports Obama,” Queens bride Angelina Tatara told Metro. “Not only would the request potentially offend people, I don’t believe politics belong at a wedding.”

“For all I know, my wedding gifts could be going towards free bumper stickers and address labels for strangers,” she added.

But New York City-based wedding planner and owner of Brilliant Event Planning Sarah Pease disagrees. While this is the first time she has seen a politician make such a request, it’s not necessarily in poor taste for a couple to make the request of their guests, she said.

“I don’t know many couples who have a desperate need for gravy boats, so if what they do feel passionate about is a political cause, that’s a sign of the times,” Pease said.

She did recommend that couples who decide to use the Obama Event Registry also give their friends and family other options for giving gifts — or be prepared to accept no gift at all from some guests.

Obama strapped for cash?

Just days after his campaign rolled out the Obama Event Registry, the President sent a desperate e-mail out to supporters yesterday, asking for more money.

Obama claimed he will soon be outspent by Republican opponent Mitt Romney and pleaded for as little as $3 donations.

While conservative super PACs are expected to bring in more money than liberal super PACs by November, Obama is significantly in the lead with tracked donations so far: $255.2 million compared to Romney’s $120.6 million, according to Federal Election Commission figures from May 2012.