Because I love weddings and event planning (and loved planning my own wedding!), and know how stressful the wedding planning process can be at times, I’ve decided to continue with wedding content to share tips and inspiration for all the brides-to-be out there. One of the daunting tasks of planning your wedding is completing your wedding registry. The number of retailers and products to choose from can be overwhelming. I wanted to share some tips from my experience, as well as offer a peak at some of the items I had selected for my registries last summer.
WEDDING REGISTRY TIPS
- Choose retailers that are accessible. It’s important to choose a retailer that offers convenience for your guests with accessible store locations and online shopping. Most retailers offer online registry services, which allow you to create your registry without stepping into a store. This is also great for out-of-town guests who can purchase gifts and have them shipped directly to you.
- Finalize your guest count. Once you have finalized your wedding guest count, you can then determine how many items to include on your registry. The general rule is to select two gifts for every one guest. You can create registries with multiple retailers to avoid running out of available items and provide your guests with an ample selection of items to choose from. For our wedding, we registered with both Macy’s and Bed, Bath and Beyond.
- Consider price points. Select items within the high, mid & low price point ranges to accommodate your guests’ various budgets. It is good to have a few larger, higher price point items on your registry which are great for group gifts and also for immediate family members who generally spend a bit more on gifts. Also, consider retailers that offer frequent promotions and sales.
- Find voids in what you currently own. Take a look at what you already have and determine what you actually need. Many retailers that offer wedding registry services also provide lengthy guides and checklists of items. Don’t feel that you have register for every item in every category. Be practical and select items that you will use and have space for.
- Look at your lifestyle. Select items that align with your lifestyle. Do you and your fiancé enjoy entertaining? If so, then you may opt for extra dining items and place settings. Are you frequent travelers? You may want to include luggage, travel gear and accessories. Same as tip #4, don’t select items that you will not use.
- Stick to neutrals. Keith and I were house hunting at the time we were planning our wedding. Our registries were comprised of neutral colors when it came to dishes, décor, and linens as I knew we would eventually be moving and I wanted items that were versatile. Now that we are in our new home and are still in the process of painting and decorating, I’m glad that we kept everything in neutral tones and the gift items we received work well with the color schemes we chose for the house.
- Include collections and sets. As a gifter, I love giving little vignettes of items from a collection and am more likely to select items to complete a collection on someone’s registry. You can find many style collections within bathroom accessories, bedding and linens, and dining. I find that collections can really make a statement in your home and round out your décor.
- Read product reviews. As with any purchase, read the reviews! Especially when registering online. This will help you avoid the hassle of having to return or exchange items.
- Use your registry as a wish list. After your wedding, keep your registry and use it as your wish list. I still refer to my wedding registries especially now that we have moved and are still getting settled. Many retailers offer you discounts for purchases off your own registry for a period of time after your wedding. Take advantage of the perks.
- Have fun with it! Don’t stress! This is such an exciting time for you and your fiancé. Enjoy the process and have fun picking out items for you to start the next chapter of your lives together.
MY REGISTRY FAVORITES
Dining & Entertaining
