Creating a wedding registry is fun…but it’s also a bit
awkward! You can’t help but feel selfish making this mile-long list of “stuff”
you’d love for someone else to buy for you…but, from a guest’s perspective {hey… I’ve been a guest at least a million
more times than I’ve been a bride}, it’s a huge relief to have a variety of
options to choose from when shopping for a wedding gift. In fact, one of the ladies who helped us through
the registry process suggested the minimum registry should include twice as
many items as the number of guests you’re inviting. All of the traditional wedding registry
stores provide you with a checklist and tips for creating a registry, so I’m
not going to get into all that. I’ll
just share with you some of the advice we received and the lessons we learned
regarding the ultimate wishlist {i.e. the
wedding registry}.
Consider
your guests. Create your registries
at stores that are easily accessible for your guests. This is especially important if you’re from a
small town that doesn’t have a Bed Bath & Beyond/Crate & Barrel/Pottery
Barn/etc. I know it’s hard to wrap your
head around this, but not all of your guests shop online, so make sure to
register at a local gift or hardware store to accommodate your guests who like
to pick out gifts in person.
Think long-term. Imagine the things you’ll need later down the
road {you know, when you’re actually a grown
up} and include those items on your registry. For example: household goods
you’ll need when you move to a bigger house, serving pieces and utensils for
hosting a holiday meal, linens for guest bedrooms/bathrooms, etc.
Include
items for HIM. Some guests from the groom’s side, especially those who have
not yet met the bride, will want to give a gift geared more towards him. Think
grilling items, outdoor gear or power tools.
Register
for items at all price points. Duh…this doesn’t really even need an explanation, but I guarantee you will be shocked at the generosity of your
guests. Don’t be afraid to register for expensive items…several guests might
pool together to get that pricey item for you. Also remember to include several
items on the lower end of the price scale, especially if you’re having a shower or other pre-wedding festivities where guests may bring a gift.
Actively
monitor your registry. I’ve got to thank my fabulous wedding planner {HeidiBeth from The Wedding Connection} for
this advice. I had decided that I wasn’t going to look at our registries
because I didn’t want to know in advance which gifts our guests had purchased.
{Who am I kidding? That was never going
to work for me…I hate surprises and need to know everything in advance!} Anyway, HeidiBeth suggested that we pay
attention to our registries and add items as necessary to make sure that items
are available at all price points. She
explained that a guest planning to spend $50 will opt for a $30 gift rather
than a $70 gift if there are no $50 gifts remaining on your registry. This kind of goes back to the whole
awkward/selfish feeling, but just remember…you want to give your guests lots of
options!
Send "Thank You" notes. This might not technically be part of the registry process, but it is incredibly important. Take a few minutes to sit down and write a note to let your guests know just how much you appreciate their generosity. Be sincere...and make it personal. Tell them why you love their gift or how you plan to use it. Try to send the thank you note relatively soon after you receive the gift. This will also benefit you in the end...because it's much easier to write a few thank you notes at a time as you receive the gifts rather than having to write them all at once when you return from your honeymoon.
And there you have it...my two cents on this
"Wedding Wednesday!"
What did I miss? What else is important regarding wedding registries?
I'd love to hear from you!
