Wedding Registry Ideas

Wedding Registry Ideas by Ellie Thomson

The idea of an online wedding list, or wedding registry was developed for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons was to prevent guests buying duplicate presents. After all, who wants to end up with four toasters?

And then of course, there's the chance that you could receive gifts that you don't really want. So a wedding list, where the couple register a selection of gifts that they would prefer to receive, operates as a guide to help guests choose their presents. That way, everyone knows that the present is something that the couple want and that it won't be a duplicate.

But changes to modern life have also increased the importance of a wedding list. These days, many couples live together for months or even years before they get married. So by the time they get round to tying the knot, they may have furnished their home with all the household items they need. So a wedding present list allows them to pinpoint the items that they need.

These days, stores that run wedding lists are able to supply almost any item that you could possibly need. This allows you to select items that fit in with your lifestyle. Many stores also allow you to run an online wedding list. This enables your guests to buy their wedding present from the comfort of their own home.

Alternatively, a present registry allows you to select a general theme. For example, some couples choose a honeymoon registry, where guests contribute to the cost of the honeymoon. Other ideas, include a charity registry or even a mortgage registry.

So if you've decided to operate a wedding list, here are a few things to bear in mind.

1) Register Early

Most stores allow couples to open their wedding list 12-15 months prior to the wedding and up to a year after. This gives guests plenty of time to select their gift and allows them to buy first anniversary present from the same list.

2) Select The Stores Carefully

Select a few stores that you like and visit them to see what wedding list services they offer. Nearly all household department stores run a wedding registry scheme.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to one question; which store offers the type of goods that you like?

And if you want an online wedding list, remember that not all stores offer this facility.

And bear in mind the general price range of the store and the items that you place on your list. You might be excited at the prospect of getting the latest top of the range household electronics, but not everyone will spend that much on your gift. If your list is out of your guests' price range they might buy your wedding gift elsewhere, which means possible duplicates and unused items. So make sure you select items over a broad price range. Give your guests a choice.

The last thing to check before you sign up, is the store's refund policy. Will you be able to return gifts that you don't want? And if you can, will the refund be cash or store credit? If the latter, make sure you really like the type of products sold by the store so you can use the credit for other purchases.

3) Stay Informed

Once you and your partner have made your choices, you will receive a printed list (or if you have an online wedding list, the store's website will display your chosen items). This information will be updated everytime someone buys a gift from your list (to prevent duplicates).

And that's all there is to wedding lists.

Enjoy your wedding.