Creating your wedding registry is easily considered
as one of the most enjoyed activities in your wedding planning. It’s the chance
to be able to create the ultimate wish list for your new life at your new home
together. The whole registry process should be fun but at times can lead to an
overwhelmed bride and groom trying to decide how many of everything they should
get. We’ve provided below some helpful tips that we share with all of our
couples to help them in their wedding registry process.
Make a list of what both of you have and will
keep -- and what you still need and want. Consider the need for “everyday"
and “formal" versions of dinnerware, glassware, table linens, and serving
items. Important: Discuss what level of formality you want and general color
schemes or patterns before you begin.
Be True to
Yourself
Don't be a slave to traditional registry lists.
If you never cook at home but love to camp, it makes more sense to register for
a tent than to request crystal goblets. But be open to the fact that your
tastes may change in the future. Even though you can't imagine the need at this
moment in your life for that glass trifle bowl, it may become indispensable for
future dinner party desserts.
Choose more
than one spot
One is not enough; 10 is too many. Two to four registries give
guests more choices, and it's a manageable number. To make it easy on yourself
and others, pick one store for bedding, another for china, and so on. This will
prevent you from signing up for the same items at different stores.
Do It Together
The two of you should be registering for gifts
you'll both enjoy. To decide on what you need, talk about the style of home
you'd both like, and divide and conquer categories (maybe he gets to choose
electronics, while she gets to choose the bedding). And don't let Mom drag you
around -- in this case, she may not know best.
Know Your
Guests
Be sure to register for items in a range of prices so that people
can choose gifts within their means. Provide a mix of goods: Think traditional
for older relatives, affordable and fun for college pals. It may sound a bit
manipulative, but you've got to make your registry choices appealing -- and
easy for your guests to buy.
Ship Smart
Ask the store if it will ship to any address
you designate. That spares guests the hassle of having to go to a store to pick
up your gift and then to the post office to send it.
Let Your Guests
Know
Unfortunately, it's not appropriate for the bride
or groom to ask for wedding gifts, so you have to be careful with how you let
people know where you're registered. Never
include registry information with your wedding invitations -- word of mouth
is the appropriate way to disseminate this. Your
registry info can, however, be listed on your bridal shower invites since the
invitation does not come from you, but from the person hosting the shower.
You can also include such details on a wedding web page.
Cash Out
You can't ask for specific gifts from your
guests, monetary or otherwise. If guests are curious, they'll ask someone close
to you what you want and the word will spread that you prefer cash gifts. When
writing thank-you notes, do let the giver know how you intend to spend the
money.
Be Grateful
Thank-you notes for gifts received before
the wedding should be sent within two weeks of arrival. Notes for gifts
received on or after the wedding day should be sent within a month of your
return from the honeymoon.
Some of our favorite places that we recommend
our couples consider registering at:
Amazon
Bed Bath & Beyond
Crate and Barrel
Macy’s
Pottery Barn
Target
Williams-Sonoma
