The wedding registry has been a long held tradition in which friends and family of the bride and groom are able to send their best wishes by helping them furnish their new home together. Registries are super helpful because they allow the couple to receive exactly what they want for their new home. But registries can also be a little awkward to maneuver. You might feel uncomfortable announcing to your guests what you want to receive as a wedding gift. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of do’s and don’ts for this part of the wedding planning process!
- When to Start
Typically you’ll want to send out your registry list to your loved ones between 4-6 months from your wedding day. Don’t wait until the last minute! Give them ample time to browse the registry, buy their gifts and ship them to you. Also remember not to put your registry link directly on your mailed invitations. Guide guests to your wedding website for gifting details.
- Give plenty of options
When selecting housewares, kitchen essentials or home décor, make sure you fill your registry with items from all price ranges. Consider your guests and what they are comfortable spending. On top of a wide range of prices, make sure to provide a large quantity of items. Don’t limit yourself to one item per person on your guest list. This will severely limit your loved ones on what is available to buy. Instead, try having a registry with 2 or 3 times your guest count.
- What about cash?
Maybe you have all the dishes and vases you could possibly need in your house? Asking for a ton of things you already have seems like such a waste. Good news is that a lot of registries have the option for guests to donate to a fund. Couples might opt to have guests contribute to their honeymoon or a larger piece on their registry that might be best funded by several people. This method also helps guests give the exact amount they want, without having to search for the perfect item on your list.
- Thank You’s!
No matter what kind of gift you’re asking for, it’s super important to keep up with your thank-you notes. Don’t let them pile up! A lot of times loved ones will purchase and ship gifts to you way in advance of your wedding date. Don’t wait until the big day is over…send them a warm thank-you right away! It’s not only courteous, but it keeps your post-wedding to-do list a little shorter.
- Returns and Exchanges
What if that serving dish you’ve been wishing for just doesn’t look right in person? Don’t panic! When it comes to wedding registries, it’s perfectly normal to return and exchange items that aren’t the best. Just don’t forget to send a thank-you letter to the gifter anyways!
Creating a registry never has to be a chore or something awkward you have to handle before you wedding day. If you follow etiquette guidelines, give yourself plenty of options and follow through with that thank-you note, tackling this wedding to-do can be a breeze!
