Gift
giving is a way for guests to celebrate your wedding and to help you stock your
new home. Here's what to keep in mind when making your bridal registry. We loved the article shared on The Knot so much that we had to share! Read on for 10 tips on registering for wedding gifts!
1. register early
What
are you waiting for? Registering for wedding gifts should be one of the first
tasks you tackle when you get engaged. Friends and relatives will be looking to
buy wedding gifts as soon as he pops the question. Really! Take the guesswork
out of gift buying by making sure they know what you want. You don't need to
complete your list just yet, but at least have a selection for guests to
browse.
2. do it together
Hitting
the stores together is essential. After all, the gifts are for both of you. To
decide what you need, take inventory of the things you already have and see
where the gaps are. Talk about the style of home you'd both like, and split up
the final say (you could alternate items) to make it fair. (Maybe he gets to
make final decisions on electronics, while you get to choose the kitchen stuff
since you're the chef.)
Don't
feel like you just need to register for china and flatware. Many stores have
wedding registries now, so feel free to include whatever it is that will make
your new house a home, be it electronics, appliances, or even camping
equipment.
4. but…think about
how you live
Try
to avoid filling your list with things you're never going to use. If you two
aren't the formal party types, then you probably won't need a crystal punch bowl,
as compelling as it may seem when you walk by with that registry scanner. Also,
be extra-sure before you register for anything that's monogrammed. Once your
name is on it, you probably won't be able to return it.
5. check the store’s return policy
It's
always a good idea to inquire about a store's exchange/return policies. The
great thing is many wedding registry retailers have amazing customer service to
accommodate to-be-weds' needs (for example, you might suddenly realize that you
don't really have room for 24 chargers and want to return, say, eight of them).
That said, being aware of the store's return and exchange timelines will help
you better plan and manage your registry.
6. make sure you hit
all price points
As
much as you may be hankering for that gorgeous $350-a-place-setting silver, be
sure to register for items in a wide range of price points: under $50, under
$75, under $100, under $200, and beyond, so all of your guests can choose gifts
they can afford. You don't want your college friend feeling overwhelmed by the
fact that he can't find a single gift; and on the opposite side, you don't want
your parents' closest friends to have to buy you a multitude of smaller items
to give you a generous gift.
At
least one (and preferably all) of your registries should be available online.
Guests should also be able to place their orders in person, over the phone, or
by fax. If you've registered at a boutique retailer that doesn't offer online
services, you should be okay, as long as that's not the only place you've
registered. We live in a hectic world and you want to let guests be able to
order you a gift -- even if it's 2 a.m.
8. update often
When
a guest buys a gift for you, your registry should automatically update,
allowing other guests to see what's been purchased (and allowing you to see
what's on its way!). Make sure to revisit your registry often (trust us, you'll
be visiting several times a day once the wedding day nears), and update it with
additional selections as products are purchased so that guests always have a
variety of things to choose from. Aim to have at least twice as many items on
your list as guests at your wedding.
9. think gift cards
Sure,
some couples love receiving cash, but asking for it is not exactly Future Mr.
and Mrs. Manners-approved. A more etiquette-friendly option? Try gift cards.
Many stores allow you to register for them and you can use them to buy the
things you want and need...later. If you are anxious for cash gifts, ask one or
two close friends and immediate family members to politely spread the word.
10. say thanks
Be
gracious -- let your guests know their gifts have arrived -- promptly. Thank-you notes
for gifts received before the wedding should be sent within two weeks of their
arrival. Notes for gifts received on or after the wedding day should be sent
within a month of your return from the honeymoon. In all notes, be sure to
mention the gift by name.
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