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If you plan it properly,
registering for wedding
gifts can be a lot of fun.
Wedding trends will come and go, but the tradition of giving
(and receiving) wedding gifts is firmly engrained in our culture.
In the day and age where wedding celebrations are becoming
larger affairs, including hundreds of guests, it is particularly
helpful to assist your guests through the development of a gift
registry.
If you plan it properly, registering for wedding gifts can be a
lot of fun. Retailers are offering new and innovative options to
wedding registries—everything from planning tools to a (free)
charity donation program—all to get you, the soon-to-wed, to
register at their stores. There are some fantastic deals to be had
out there as well.
Most retailers recommend completing the gift registry in
stages to ensure that you include all of the items you desire, and
to prevent registry “burn out.” One registry expert we spoke
with suggested that the bride and groom visit the registry store
together for a short time to make the major decisions such as
china, flatware and crystal patterns. Small electrics such as waffle
makers, espresso makers and food processors could be chosen at this time as well. On the second visit, the bride could bring
a friend or family member to help with the more time-consuming
process of registering for exactly how many place settings
you’d like, whether you’ll register for the water and/or
wine glasses (and how many) and where you’d like those
items to be shipped.
Many couples are choosing to register at two or more
stores, to allow for a wide variety of gift giving options.
Regardless of where your guests live, chances are they will be
able to access a gift registry online or in-store.
Today’s gift registries are just as likely to include electronics
such as flat-screen televisions (think group gift), power
tools or charity contributions alongside those more traditional
choices.
The pros suggest that you set up your gift registry as soon
as possible after becoming engaged. Many friends and family
members will look to the registry for gift-giving ideas for
engagement parties and showers. However, don’t fret if you
don’t make time to register until one or two months before
your wedding. Taking time in selecting your favorite things
will mean fewer returns later, and that’s always a good thing.
When you do register for gifts, remember that some
items are seasonal. While they are on full display at the store
when you develop your registry in November, they might
not be available for purchase in March when you’re getting
married.
When your wedding day has passed, you can return to
many of these retailers and take advantage of their registry
completion programs. Dillard’s, Crate and Barrel and Macy’s
are among the dozens of stores who offer a discount on
items remaining on your gift registry.
Some retailers offer detailed registry “tutorials” on their
websites, while others offer interesting tools such as Macy’s
“guest list manager.” This handy feature allows couples
to track wedding invitation responses, gifts and the everimportant
thank you cards. If there was ever a last word
on wedding gifts, it would be this: whether the gift comes
from your registry or the gift-giver’s attic, always, always say
“thank you.”
Photography:
The Pamela Laurence Collection
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