Setting a wedding gift registry is an easy, convenient and polite way to let your guests know what types of gifts you and your spouse would appreciate the most, as well as what you might need to set up your household. Registries lessen the chance that you’ll receive more than one rice cooker – and even let people know that you really don’t want a rice cooker at all.
Here are some basic rules to go by when setting a wedding gift registry:
Where to register
Almost all chain department stores have a national wedding gift registry. This gives your guests several options on how to purchase their gift for you. Gift registries will be available to your guests whether they shop online or at their local department store, or wait until they arrive to shop at your local store (a great option for those who have to go through airport security).
Registries work by letting your guests know what has already been bought through a nationwide database. Stick to one location for your registry. If you want to register at Wal-Mart, don’t also register for the same items at Zellers. There’s no way the person shopping at one will know if someone else bought the toaster you wanted if they bought it at the other store.
A newer idea for couples is to register with a travel agent so your guests can donate towards a honeymoon. Banks also offer registries for couples so guests can give money towards a down payment on a first house.
What to register
When you go to a store to register, you will be given a hand scanner and a printout, and then you go around the store and scan the bar codes of the item you wish to register. Online, you just select the items you want after you sign up for the service.
Make sure that you do not just select high-dollar items or the most expensive brand of the items you want. Your guests will come from a wide variety of financial situations, so having a wide price range of items on your list is sensible and respectful.
Consider having quite a few small items on your list, such as kitchen gadgets or hand towels. This will give people the opportunity to buy you quite a few small but useful things on your list. It also allows your younger guests a chance to bring a gift to the wedding as well.
Typical items on wedding gift registries include bedding, dishes, towels, small appliances, kitchen gadgets, silverware, picture frames, and artwork. Gift cards are also a good idea to put on a registry in case you don’t get some of the items you were expecting.