Life
7 Things To Know Before You Register for Wedding Gifts
Aside from the cake tasting, creating a wedding registry was probably the activity I was most excited about during my own engagement. It’s basically the one time in your adult life where people outside your immediate family will buy you gifts. Sure, it won’t quite make up for the cost of your three-hundred-person reception, but it still feels like Christmas morning when you see that pile of presents after the big day. It definitely helps with the post-wedding blues. But before you go crazy with that scanner (or more likely, that online registry button), make sure you know how to get the most out of your registry.
Image: Better Off Wed/Etsy
Check Your Favorite Stores For Registries.
Don’t feel obligated to go for the traditional department store registries like Macy’s or Bed, Bath & Beyond. I will never forgive myself for not registering at Anthropologie. Granted, five years ago I’m pretty sure all Anthro had was a glorified wishlist as their registry. Anyway, the point is, after all these years I still think about all the beautiful sea creature-inspired dishware that could be sitting in my cabinet right now.
You're Going To Have To Compromise.
Walking the aisles of Macy’s with a scanner in hand could be considered one of the first lessons of marriage. Sure, they try to make it sound fun with presents and champagne, but the reality is you could end up fighting tooth-and-nail for that floral towel set you just know is going to look super chic in the bathroom.
Be True To Your "Couple Style."
Yeah I said it—couple style. Whether this means registering for traditional china at a department store or a bunch of camping equipment at REI, your registry should reflect the lifestyle you have together as a couple.
Make Sure You Pick Items At A Range Of Price Points.
Make it a little easier on your guests by choosing a variety of small, affordable gifts. I would say have a third of your registry items in the $30-50 range (or cheaper!) so that your guests have plenty of options. We’ve all had that moment when you’re scrolling through a couple’s registry list and all the $25 serving bowls and $10 candlesticks are gone.
Don’t Even Think About Putting Your Registry Information On Your Invites.
Etiquette gurus strongly disagree with this idea across the board. Don’t make your guests will obligated to buy you an expensive gift by highlighting it on your invitation. Instead, make sure your wedding party and family spreads the word. Also consider putting a link to your wedding website with more information on your registry, and then include your registry information on the site (if you just got engaged and you’re thinking a wedding website is over the top, this is just the tip of the iceberg, my friend).
Consider Skipping The Traditional Registry Entirely.
If you’re already stocked on mixing bowls and china sets, or you simply don’t have the space for new stuff, put the money to something you actually want. You can have guests contribute toward a honeymoon fund, vacation activities, or big-ticket items, like scuba diving with sea turtles or that Restoration Hardware sofa you’ve always dreamed about.
Don't Forget About Thank You's!
With all the wedding craziness that’s about to descend upon your life, it can be easy for thank you notes to slip your mind. Send them out as gifts come in before the wedding, and then make sure you have extra thank you’s in order and ready to send out once you get back from the honeymoon.
Wedding Thank You Cards, Amazon
