Alterations
Announcements
Bands & Singers
Bridal Shops
Cake Decorators
Caterers
Chocolate Fountains
Disc Jockeys
Fitness
Florists
Formal Wear
Gift Registry
Horse & Carriage
Hotels
Jewelers
Limousines
Lingerie
Makeup Artistry
Nail Salons
Photography
Printing
Real Estate Agents
Reception Facilities
Rentals
Salons
Tanning
Travel
Videographers
Wedding Planners
|
8 Questions Brides Ask About Setting
up a Wedding Registry
Picking the Perfect Gift Isn't
Always Easy
In theory, setting up a registry is
simple. You decide on one or several stores, create a registry online
or in person, select various items, and get the word out to your
guests. In practice, things are a little more complicated -- but only
a little!
With that said, here's the real deal on setting up your wedding
registry and getting the word out without offending your guests.
Remember that retailers can be an enormous help to both you and your
guests. At the same time, you can’t take everything they say at face
value.
Q: Where should I register?
A: Chances are, if you're getting married in your own town, you
already know where "everyone goes" to set up and shop from a registry.
If not, and guests are flying in from far away, pick from some
bride-tested standbys likely to be present almost anywhere. Macy’s has
a great reputation for registries, as does Williams-Sonoma, Bed Bath &
Beyond and other retailers.
Before you choose your stores, be sure to stop by a wedding forum and
get feedback from brides who have been there, done that. Store
policies vary quite dramatically, ranging from the easy-does-it
(who’ll give you cash back for returns off the registry, no questions
asked) to the extremely restrictive (who’ll only let you exchange for
another item *in that department*, requires a receipt for each item,
and so on). You'll want to know about these policies and the store's
overall reputation for bridal friendliness before you go in, or
returns and exchanges could become a big hassle.
Q: I have a wide range of interests. How many stores should I register
at?
A: Two to three stores is fairly typical. They don't have to be
typical stores, though. If you're a wine drinker, and live in a state
where it's legal to ship wine, set up a registry at one of the great
online wine merchants.
Q: When should I register?
A: Although close family members may pressure you to start earlier,
it's helpful to wait three to six months before the wedding. Not only
are the vast majority of gifts bought within a day or so of the shower
or ceremony itself, stores turn over merchandise so rapidly that any
gifts you select earlier may be discontinued.
Q: What if I already have all the kitchen appliances and throw pillows
I need?
A: Consider putting together a honeymoon registry instead, so guests
can contribute toward a special meal or snorkeling trip or a night’s
lodging during your honeymoon.
Q: When I signed up at Store X, they gave me a bunch of attractive
registry cards to enclose with my wedding invitations. Should I do it,
or is that tacky?
A: Sorry, but the consensus is almost universal -- it's uncouth to
include any mention of gifts in your invitations. You can, however,
tuck those cards into shower invitations. Perhaps the best solution is
to include a note in your invitations that reads, "Please see our
wedding web site at www.xyz.com" and place your registry information
there.
Q: How many gifts should I register for? I don't want to look
demanding.
A: Typically, you'll want to select two or three items per guest. That
gives people room to choose instead of locking them into something
they don't enjoy buying, or worse, forcing them to guess what else you
might like, giving birth to the “second yogurt maker” type of gift.
If you have many guests, you can avoid creating a 16-page monstrosity
for them to print out by breaking up your registry over several
stores.
At the end of the day, “more is more.” Many retailers offer discounts
on those items you registered for but didn't receive. Many stores also
retain your registry for at least 12 months after the wedding. You may
find it's best to register for everything that you plan to buy, even
if you don't expect to get it as a gift; you can then purchase your
selections for 10% or 20% off after the ceremony. Many brides also
find friends and family tapping registries for gift buying ideas for
birthdays and other holidays!
Q: What price range should I stick with when selecting items?
A: Generally, you should register for things you really feel you want
or need, without worrying too much about the price. Some guests enjoy
picking up a number of items in the low price range, and sometimes
guests will group together to purchase bigger-ticket items.
Q: I've set up my registry just fine, but now I’m addicted to checking
it online. How can I stop?
A: Sorry, there's no known antidote for registry-checking addiction,
though it's a widespread phenomenon. Counting to ten, taking deep
breaths or distracting yourself with double-fudge ice cream might be
worth a shot.
-
About the Author
Blake Kritzberg is ringmaster at "FavorIdeas.com." Stop by for wedding
favor ideas, Save-the-Date eCards, free wedding screensaver, free
wedding templates and Bridezilla's weekly adventures at:
http://www.favorideas.com
|
