A wedding registry is one of the traditional aspects of a wedding that is definitely a favorite among couples and guests alike.
Guests want to celebrate your union with a gift and wedding registries allow you to have a say in what that gift is! Sure, there are some guests that will deviate from the registry or those that will opt to gift cash, but a good majority of guests will reference the registry.
Building your wedding registry is a fun activity that can be done as a couple since these are items you will both enjoy.
1. When to Register
Registering is such a fun experience that you may want to do it as soon as you get engaged – and that’s absolutely fine! This is especially true if you are hosting various pre-wedding related events where guests might want to bring a gift, like an engagement party or bridal shower.
2. Consider Your Needs
Traditionally, wedding registries are based on what you need for your first home. With more and more couples living together or owning homes before marriage, the need for household goods isn’t as high. Register for gifts that you can actually use in your home or life in general. Don’t register for something just because a “list” tells you too. Truly select items that really want or need.
3. Types of Registries
Lots of places offer wedding registries from national brands to local shops. We love the diversity of registries available. Here’s a sampling of types of registries we’ve seen.
- National Chain Store Wedding Registry: this is a great for couples with guests around the country or world that need an option that is easily accessible. These shops also make shipping directly to your home super easy.
- Local Shop Wedding Registry: this is a superb option for couples staying local for their wedding or wanting to support local businesses. Our favorite local shops with registries are Shoppe561.com, HivePalmBeach.com, MaryMahoney.com, and PioneerLinens.com.
- Honeymoon Registry: this is a wonderful option for couples that prefer to have shared experiences. Guests have the option to purchase perks for your honeymoon, such as massages or bottles of champagne with dinner. A great site to use for this is HoneyFund.com.
- Donation Registry: for those couples that truly want to give back, consider a donation registry. Select your top 1-3 non-profits and ask guests to donate to the cause in your name. Guests will both honor you as a couple and help a worthwhile cause that’s close to your heart.
4. Selecting a Registry
We recommend selecting 2-4 wedding registry options. Whether it’s a combination of the types of registries listed above or all of one type, as long as you have easy to access options for guests you are on the right path.
5. Going Shopping
Most wedding registries give you the option to create the registry online or in-store. We love the in-store experience! You get to walk around the store with the registry gun and scan to your hearts content. So much fun! You’ll have the option to tweak your registry online once you get home. That way if you miss something, you can easily add it in.
We definitely recommend going together as a couple. That way you register for items you will both enjoy. A good rule of thumb is to register for twice as many gifts as you have guests. Also, register for gifts at an array of price points so guests can choose something within their budget.
6. Share Your Registry
Unfortunately, it’s not appropriate to print registry info directly on your invite. So how do you let guests know about your registry? On your wedding website! You will have all sorts of pertinent wedding info on the website and this is where registries should be listed. This allows guest to easily refer to your registry. For older guests that aren’t internet proficient, ask family members closest to them to share the information.
Wedding registry info can be listed on invitations for your engagement party or shower, if the invitation isn’t coming from you as a couple.
Creating your wedding registry should be something fun for you and fiancé to do together leading up to the wedding day. It’ll allow you to envision your life together and how these items will help enhance your home.
