Gift Registries
Gift Lists, whatare they all about? Traditionally, there have been two
reasons to set up a gift registry in the days leading up to your wedding.
First, it allows you to select items you need in your new, married life.
Secondly, gift registry is designed to make shopping easier for your wedding
guests. These days the term "bridal" is a bit misleading. It's
not just the bride who should be involved with this aspect of wedding
planning. "Couples" or "Gift" registry might be more
appropriate.
One of the biggest mistakes couples make when registering is heading
into the store unprepared. Before you begin the process, talk with your
fiance about your choices, preferences and individual needs. Do you plan
to hold formal dinners often or is your lifestyle more casual? Is your
kitchen already full of appliances or lacking the essentials? Does your
taste run more to contemporary, country, or Swedish modern? Once you have
decided on general preferences, then you're ready to start selecting specific
items for your registry.
Include a wide range of merchandise. Registries are no longer just about
linens and formal china. Couples today are getting married later and many
already have the basic home and kitchen items. So instead, you might consider
recreational items such as camping gear or workshop items such as power
tools. Also choose items within a range of prices to fit any budget, that
way all your guests can use the registry, not just rich Uncle Al.
Be realistic about your needs. If you can't imagine ever using a gigantic
silver serving tray, don't register for it, as storage space is always
a consideration. If your current food processor works fine, don't register
for another one, just because it's on a kitchen checklist you saw in a
magazine.
Go with list in hand and stick to it. Wandering aimlessly around the
store until you see things you like, will be a long and frustrating proposition.
Most bridal magazines have a list of popular items which you can revise
to meet your own needs. Or ask the stores if they offer such a worksheet.
When should you register? As a general rule, it should be completed no
less than five months ahead of your wedding day and even earlier if possible.
It's a good idea to check back with the stores occasionally and again
a month before the wedding to make sure your selections are still available
and in stock.
When it comes to registry, getting the word out is probably your toughest
challenge. Experts say it's a serious breach of etiquette to list your
registry on your wedding invitations. For the most part, you must rely
on word of mouth. As soon as you've registered, let close friends and
family know. Two other options are placing a discreet link on your wedding
website or putting a small notice in your wedding shower invitations.
When asked directly where you're registered, don't hesitate to give a
straightforward answer. Some people feel a sense of guilt when a guest
comments, "I won't be able to make your wedding, but where are you
registered? " If someone does ask directly, it's likely they really
do want to know the answer and give you a gift. You might answer in this
fashion, "We're registered at Alders, but please don't feel you have
to get us something."
A very new trend in gift giving is the honeymoon registry. Items on a
honeymoon registry include activities or extras the couple would like
to do while on their honeymoon. Additionally, gifts are broken down into
financially manageable portions. Guests can give airfare, room nights,
candlelit dinners, excursions such as horseback riding on the beach, or
ski lift tickets. A great snorkeling trip for example, can create honeymoon
memories couples remember forever, a unique gift that keeps on giving.
Not all travel agencies handle honeymoon registry. Some might advertise
the service, but offer little more than an opportunity for your friends
and family to mail checks toward the trip. If you're considering this
type of registry, find a service which provides more. Look for a company
that specialises in honeymoon registry.
All gift givers want to feel they've purchased something meaningful.
Receiving a list describing in detail what they've purchased, improves
their gift giving experience. This may come in the form of a certificate.
A travel agency with an 800 number is also helpful for out-of-town wedding
guests.
Another new trend is on-line gift registry, which can be more convenient
and quicker for computer-savvy folks. |
