How to Create a Wedding Registry
Bridal Gift Registry Tips to Make Your Wedding Planning Easier
Apr 28, 2007
You're getting married, and you really don't need five more toasters! Here are some tips on how to write a useful and appropriate wedding gift registry.
Weddings are full of rituals, and here's one you might not have thought about much: the ritual of walking through Target or Macy's with that little clicker machine as you create your gift registry! Some brides and grooms see this is a fun way to pick things out for their new home. Other people hate shopping and find this to be yet another annoying wedding chore.
Need some help coming up with a wedding registry full of things you'll actually use? Here are some tips.
- Pick a store that suits you as a couple. If you prefer casual things from Target or WalMart, don't let your snooty sister-in-law talk you into registering at Neiman Marcus. And don't let your hipster friends talk you into registering at Pier One.
- Pick national stores. If you have guests coming in from all over, this will help them shop. Registering at a local store is a nice thing to do for your community, but if you do this, also register at a chain. Registering at online stores is convenient, but not for older guests who don't know how to use that dang Internet thang, so register at a traditional store as well.
- Create your registry together. Really, the term "bridal registry" is pretty archaic. You should both pick out things for your home. Have fun together, don't take it too seriously, and remember to compromise! If he wants gray linens and she wants loud floral patterned linens, middle ground will have to be found.
- Get help-- but not the unwanted kind. Not much of a shopper? Bring along a friend who is, especially if your friend is married and knows useful things to put on a registry. Be careful though. Don't ask for help from someone who wants to take over the registry.
- If you've invited lots of guests, create a large registry. Guests will be annoyed if they try to buy something at the last minute and nothing's left. It's not rude to ask for lots of stuff. It's practical.
- Select gifts for different price ranges. It's very rude to only include expensive gifts on your registry. Don't make assumptions about how much your guests can and should spend.
- Avoid gadgets you probably won't use. How many couples do you know with salad spinners and sandwich makers in the back of their closets?
- Register for sets of things in pieces. Select a bathroom coordinate pattern and register separately for the shower curtain, the matching rug, the toothpaste holder, etc. This will allow people to buy as many pieces as they want within their price range. Do the same for comforter sets, dishes, and so forth.
- Do you really need china? If you're into formal dining, register for fine china. If you're not, don't feel obligated to sign up for this traditional gift. Register for a good set of everyday dishes instead. Besides, if you ever need china, chances are that someone you know has a set they never use that you can borrow.
- Don't be limited by "traditional' choices. The cool thing of registering at a store like Target or WalMart is that you can register for all kinds of stuff-- DVDs, electronics, camping equipment, board games, or whatever you enjoy and will actually use.
- Don't register for inappropriate items. Some couples think it's funny to register for condoms or other similar items. But when Aunt Bertha sees the registry, she won't be amused. Use common sense.
- Consider ditching the registry. Do you and your partner have big incomes and all the stuff you need? Some people ask their guests not to give wedding gifts, and perhaps suggest a charity for guests to donate to instead.
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The copyright of the article How to Create a Wedding Registry in Wedding Planning is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish How to Create a Wedding Registry in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
