Gift registries

To some, the concept of gift registries is presumptuous, but no one wants to end up with six crystal salad bowls! Your friends and family want to give you a gift that you will enjoy and having a registry makes the process easy

Gift Registries, Wedding Gifts, Gift Registry Trends It’s customary for guests to give gifts as a way of celebrating the marriage union and to help the bride and groom establish their life together. This ingenious registry initiative originating from the early 1900s has been made even better with the advent of the internet. Now guests can fulfil the once arduous task of finding the perfect gift from the comfort of their own home.

Traditionally, wedding gifts took the form of household items to assist the couple in establishing their new home. These days, many couples live together prior to taking their vows and don’t need much in the way of dinnerware, appliances and the like. So while many couples still opt for this style of gift — a special cheeseboard or vase will always be welcome — there are now many alternate options.

The couple who enjoys wine, for example, could open a wine registry. This allows guests to choose from a selection of your favourite drops and will enable you to stock up the cellar.

For those whose homes are already established, the gift of an experience is ideal. Set up a registry with the likes of Red Balloon, where you can try hot air ballooning, cooking classes or a yacht cruise!

Gift registry trends

The concept of a wishing well has experienced increased popularity in recent years. Instead of listing a registry on invitations, couples can advise guests that a wishing well will be set up at their wedding and that cash gifts will be welcomed. Gift Registries, Wedding Gifts, Gift Registry Trends This way you can make your own choice regarding the destination of your wedding funds; anything from home renovations to a new car.

Rather than requesting cash directly, many couples choose to register for donations towards the cost of their honeymoon. Once you have put down an initial deposit with your travel agent of choice, guests can contribute to the remaining cost or pay for specific items such as your arrival dinner, a snorkelling trip or bungee jump!

Some couples don’t feel the need for any gifts so instead ask guests to donate to a charity close to their heart. This can be anything from animal shelters to environmental campaigns or sponsoring a child, through organisations such as Karma Currency or Oxfam.

Choosing the right registry

When selecting the source of your registry, look for a store that offers a wide selection of products across a broad price range. Also, select a store with a good reputation for quality brands and products. You might like to have two registries, choosing a more specialised store in addition to the larger chain store.

Each store will differ slightly in procedure, but once you’ve made your decision, you’ll wander through, taking note of the items you love. This list is then given to the consultant who will enter it into a computer database. Most chain stores give you a printed card to send out with your invitations advising guests of the registry and where they can go. Your guests will then visit the store and purchase gifts through the registry counter. The database works throughout all stores and when each item is purchased it is removed from the list.

Top 10 tips

Registry early
Set up your registry six to eight months before the wedding. Friends and relatives will be looking to buy wedding gifts as soon as the engagement is announced.
Register for whatever you want
Don’t feel obliged to register for dinnerware alone — choose whatever it is that will make your new life together more special.
Consider your lifestyle
Bear in mind your personal style when selecting gifts; there’s no point choosing something that’s so fancy you’ll be too scared to use it.
Go together
These gifts are for both of you, so make sure you make the selection together. If you can’t agree on everything, choose alternate items to make it fair.
Cater for all price ranges
Register for items in all price categories: under $50, under $75, under $100, under $200 etc so all of your guests can choose gifts they can afford.
Check return policies
Find out about the store’s exchange and return policies just in case you regret your original choices.
Provide an online option
At least one of your registries should be available online, particularly for the benefit of out-of-town guests.
Notify guests
Include the details of your gift registry on a small insert with your invitation, not on the invitation itself. Many registries will prepare the cards for you.
Keep it updated
When a guest buys a gift, your registry should automatically update, allowing other guests to see what’s been purchased. For variety’s sake, you should aim to have around twice as many items on your list as guests at your wedding, so keep the registry updated with additional selections.
Thank you
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.