Just about the first thing you’ll think of after you get engaged is where you’d like to register. After all, you hope to get gifts that you’ll actually like and use. A Bridal Registry is the perfect way to choose in advance the wedding gifts you’d like. It makes it easy for guests to pick a gift that they know you really want. So, everyone wins. But how do you go about it?
It’s not as hard or complicated as you may have feared. It really comes down to a conversation between you and your fiancé about the types of things you want for your new home. Are you crafty and planning to redo your house? Register at Home Depot. Are you more into fancy dinner parties with lots of guests? Register at Macy’s. Do you only like the best of the best? Register at Tiffany’s. Are you more jeans and t-shirts? Register at Target.
It’s all dictated by your likes and dislikes. Once you’ve chosen a store—and just about every store now has a registry—go in with your fiancé and plan to spend at least an hour registering. Most stores now offer computer registries that are self-serve. You can even register online at bigger stores. Gather a list of ideas of what you need and want for your new home.
You should plan to register as soon as you get engaged. Some couples end up having an engagement party or a surprise wedding shower. You want to be registered ahead of time so no one feels at a loss for what to get you. Tell your mom, the groom’s mom and any sisters and brothers where you’re registered. They will get the word out. It’s poor taste however to tell others who are not in the immediate family where you are registered. It sounds like you are asking for gifts.
What you register for is totally up to you. There are no rules. Where in the past brides just had to have a full set of china and crystal, now couples are more relaxed. If you would have no use for a gravy boat, don’t register for one. If you hate formal parties, skip the china altogether.
Say you’re registering at Pottery Barn. Register for anything in the entire store that strikes your fancy. Include small things like candle holders as well as larger things like entire bedding ensembles. Guests like to be able to choose from many different price ranges. Don’t be embarrassed to put a pair of sisal living room chairs on your registry if you want them. Someone may choose to buy them for you and be glad they knew exactly what you wanted.
After you are registered at the store, guests can then access your registry either online or at the store. They’ll just need your last name or your fiancé’s last name. Either one will get you into the registry. Once they buy a gift off your registry, they should alert the clerk that it’s a wedding gift for you and the item will be removed from the registry so no one else buys you a duplicate. Unfortunately, people often forget to tell the clerk and the items stays on the registry. Don’t worry if you get duplicate gifts. Just go back to the store with the unopened item and explain that it was a duplicate wedding gift. You’ll be able to exchange it for something else that you want.
A registry is a great way to create a wish list for your new home. Often, just about everything on your list will be purchased for you. You can always go back to the store and purchase anything that’s left on the registry with cash you got as wedding gifts. You will be well on your way to building the home of your dreams with the wedding gift baskets you receive.
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