Wedding Registry Tips
Preparing the home for a lifetime as husband and wife can be as exciting and challenging as planning the wedding. To keep things simple and fun, below are 28 words to remember that provide excellent tips for creating the right wedding registries.
Timing – It is acceptable and advisable to register nearer to the engagement day than the wedding day. This allows ample time for the guests to select, purchase, and ship the gifts while also affording much needed time for the bride’s revisions and review.
Practical – Register for things that are likely to be used. If camping is preferred to cooking, register for tents and supplies before fine china and crystal goblets.
Inventory –Know what is already in the closet, what is needed, and what is wanted. Include both formal and informal pieces in this list. Though many couples begin with two of every commonly used item, few start out with everything.
Aesthetics –It is also a fun part of the process to decide together which styles and colors will together represent the couple’s home. Bringing individual pieces from each person’s life together sometimes forms a very eclectic style. Agreeing on a theme for each room simplifies registering for pieces to bring a polished look to the home with a blended and unified feel.
Availability – Find out what services the store offers. There are many questions to ask before selecting a store. These will go a long way toward finding a store that is both helpful to the bride and convenient for the guests. Some of these questions include:
- Is online shopping available?
- How many locations exist? Are any convenient for my guests?
- Can guests order by phone? Is there a toll-free number?
- Can guests order by fax?
- What is the return policy on gifts?
- Is a completion package offered? What are the terms?
Perks – Many stores offer what is referred to as a completion package. This is usually a 10-15% discount given to the couple toward the purchase of the remaining items on the registry. Others may offer rewards for larger registries, nearly completely purchased registries, and registries with low return.
Pitfall –Some stores are particular with returns and registries. These stores request a fee or even complete payment for items remaining on the registry after the wedding. This fee is presented to help offset the cost of maintaining certain items in the store’s inventory. This does not usually refer to larger retailers, but remain on the safe side by asking first.
Location –One store is probably not enough. Eight is pushing the high side. Typically, two to three stores are preferable for ensuring the best range of gift styles and quality. While larger retailers may have many things, some may lack fine styles or quality materials. Others may be very specific to a certain product such as a bedding store and therefore do not have the rest of the necessary registry gifts. It is helpful to both bride and guest to choose a few stores and split the necessary gift ideas between each. For example, use a bed and bath store for bedding, another store for china, dinnerware, and kitchen utensils, and so on.
Consultant –Many large retailers provide a consultant to help with the wedding and gift registry process. Some stores simplify things by providing the couple with a hand-held scanner that enables both to browse the store and simply scan the gift item’s ticket. Though the privacy and hassle-free environment may be nice, the professional advice of a consultant is often very helpful and appreciated.
Unity – Go together. Have styles in mind upon arrival. Consider splitting the tasks into categories such as allowing the bride to select the dinnerware while the groom chooses the electronics.
Affordable –Register for gifts in many price ranges to put guests at ease. Typical registries allow the guests to select from below $25, $25-50, $50-100, and above $100. Older couples will enjoy giving traditional gifts in small quantities but with higher price tags. These gifts may include a piece or place setting of china, a large bedspread, luggage and other items. Younger couples will enjoy giving fun and creative gifts often in larger quantities but with smaller price tags. Gift ideas for younger guests may include a modern art saltshaker set, barware, decorative candles, candle holders and more.
Overflow –Over register. Common practice is to register for a number of items 2-3 times the number of guests on the guest list. This provides a wide selection and many options for the guests. Often guests wish to purchase gifts for both the wedding and bridal shower. Having a large range of products in the registry helps meet all of these needs.
Steady –Browse. Reflect. Take the time to calmly walk through the store. Do not miss things by being in a rush. Enjoy the bonding experience of preparing a life together. Remember that registries can be updated later.
Plates –Get plenty! Eight to twelve place settings is ideal. This includes the dinnerware, silverware, and utensils. Eight plates are great for small parties but eight dinner plates, either saucers, eight glasses, eight forks, eight spoons, and eight knives goes considerably farther toward a great evening. Be prepared for whichever hosting roles are most likely. Large holiday gatherings including family and friends require more pieces. Small dinner parties or the occasional couples’ mingling require less.
Friends – Browse the registries of friends. Look at what was bought and what was clearly avoided. Ask for advice and tips from couples who have registered before.
Terms – Some terms include products of a wide range of style and quality. For instance, china can be lesser quality earthenware or a high-quality bone or porcelain. Silverware covers a wide range of styles throughout the various weights (a measure of quality). It is a good idea to ask questions if a term or phrase is not clearly understood.
Seasons – Don’t register for seasonal items if the wedding date is far out of that season. Wedding guests may search for an item only to find that it has been discontinued.
Storage –Piles of objects in the floor appeal to very few. Be sure to include storage items for those gifts that require more personal care. Some of these items may include silverware, china, and bedding.
Unique –Some large gifts are better for groups to purchase together. Many registries offer small rewards for using a particular service. Large gifts such as electronics, pet items, or a couple’s cooking class are just as fun and necessary as other gifts. Younger friends and guests may wish to pitch in together for a gift like this.
Shipping – Ask if the store is willing to hold or ship gifts. This spares the guest the hassle of shopping for and purchasing the gift at the store then having to drive to the post office for delivery. Many stores hold gifts that are purchased nearer to the wedding day. Most larger retailers will ship the gifts to the address provided by the couple which is usually a close relative or friend that will hold the gifts until after the service and/or honeymoon.
Proofread –Print a copy when finished. Review the contents and add any items if necessary. Get contact information from the sales associate or consultant who helped with the registry in case review or changes are necessary later.
Advertising –Word of mouth is the most acceptable medium for spreading this information. However, couples should not disclose this information unless prompted so as not to seem forceful. Another traditional way to spread the news is via the bridal shower invitation. Do not include this information on the wedding invitation.
Tracking – Pay attention. Periodically review the registry. Note which items have been purchased and have not. Online registries or access makes reviewing and revising wedding registries easier than ever.
Afterward – Some guests purchase belated gifts. Make sure the registry is available after the wedding day. One year after the date of the wedding is the common length of availability.
Fortnight –Most guests will buy gifts during the two weeks prior to the wedding. Review and revise the registry a few days prior by adding any items of importance that have not been selected.
Green –Cash is never an appropriate request. Close friends and family may spread the word that the couple prefers cash gifts though the couple should never announce this. It is courteous to include information on the thank you note as to how the money will be spent.
Gracious – Send thank you notes. This gesture of appreciation not only warms the heart of the sender but also lets them know that the gift was received without trouble.
Firsthand –See major gift ideas in person. China, glassware, dinnerware, & other décor pieces of quality may appear differently in person. This is especially true for print ads of certain products as the colors of the printer may not accurately reflect the color of the product.
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