ARE YOU REGISTERED?
R
egistering for your wedding
can be a great way to stock
up on everything you need to
begin your married life, as well
as help guide your guests to items you
would most enjoy receiving.
However, a registration list can
also be stressful to create. What do
you need the most? How much do you
need? Where do you register? Here are
some of the most important things to
remember as you navigate through the
process:
Do set up your registries early
and check them often. As soon as
you announce your nuptials, you will
have guests who want to know where
you are registered. To avoid receiving
unwanted items, register as soon as
possible. You will also want to check
your registries often to make sure that
as guests purchase items, there are still
gifts at a variety of price points from
which others can choose.
Do register at more than one
place. This is important for several
reasons. First, guests may prefer one
retailer to another. Perhaps they don’t
12 | Wedding Planner 2017
like to shop online and certain shops are
easier for them to visit.
Registering at multiple locations
also allows you and your significant
other to pick out a variety of items.
Choose retailers that you and your
spouse enjoy shopping at frequently.
Many vendors have registry programs
that allow couples to purchase items left
on their registries at a discounted price
after their wedding date has passed.
Don’t overlook the everyday
items. Even if you already have a
house or apartment, or you and your
spouse are living together and you think
you have everything you need.
There are items that you will never
stop needing, or not want multiples of.
Already have a toaster, pots and pans,
and flatware? Use this opportunity to
upgrade your bath towels, or register
for another set of bed sheets in a fun
print and high thread count.
Don’t request cash. It is always
going to be tacky to outright request a
dollar amount from your guests. If you
and your spouse are trying to save for a
big-ticket item, such as a house or your
honeymoon, set up a registry account.
This allows guests to feel like they
are contributing to your future, instead
of handing over an impersonal check or
gift card. Also expect that some guests
will want to give you a tangible gift no
matter what.
Do it together. Creating a wedding
registry is not only a time for you and
your spouse to bond but to mesh your
styles into one. Discussing patterns
and color preferences now will make
putting it all away and using it more
enjoyable later.
Do write prompt and
personalized thank you notes. There
is no exception. You must thank every
person who gives you a gift. Customize
each thank you card by mentioning
the gift and how you plan to enjoy it.
“Thank you so much for the salad bowl,
Aunt Wilma. I can’t wait to use it at our
first dinner party!”
This will show that you were
thinking of that guest, and her thank
you card isn’t a carbon copy of another.
— Green Shoot Media