Bridal registries allow couples to receive the items and appliances they need to start their new life together.
Guests can celebrate the joyous occasion by bringing the newlywed couple gifts they will cherish for years to come.
Here are some tips to help you create the ideal registry for your wedding.
1.
Register Gifts Early Don't wait until the last minute to create your wedding register.
The minute you get engaged you should already be creating the list because you will undoubtedly throw a number of different parties prior to your wedding such as your engagement bash.
Eliminate guesswork so your guests know exactly what to get you as a gift.
2.
Register for Anything You Want Many couples creating bridal registries feel that they must only register for china, silverware, etc.
but nowadays there are many stores out there that have registries.
Whether you want electronics, appliances, or even a barbecue grill, don't feel limited to the traditional registry items, particularly if you have already been living together for a while and have a lot of the basics already.
3.
Decide on gifts together It's common to see brides choosing the gifts alone but in order to be sure that you have a house that you both love, make sure to hit the stores together to decide what gifts you want.
It can be a unifying experience to decide on gifts together and it will ensure that you are both happy with the way your new home looks and feels.
4.
Get Acquainted with the Store's Return and Exchange Policy It'll be a lot easier to plan and manage your registry if you are aware of what the return and exchage policies and timelines are.
It's inevitable that many couples will receive items they realize they don't have a need for or that they aren't the correct model, color, etc.
Thankfully stores that have a wedding register are typically very flexible and accommodating to newlyweds.
5.
Update Your Registry Often Anytime you receive a gift, make sure you update your list so your other guests can see what you already have and what you need.
Expect to update your registry up to several times a day in the days preceding your wedidng.
It's a good idea to list a number of items that doubles the amount of guests that are attending your wedding so they have a variety of items to choose from when gift shopping.
As such, it's recommended to continually add items to bridal registries as you approach the big day.
6.
Ask for Monetary Gifts Politely The overall consensus is that it is tacky to ask for monetary gifts.
But if you already have all of the items you need to start your life together, consider asking for gift cards instead.
Many stores allow gift cards to be a part of your wedding register and you can use them in the future to buy things at your favorite stores.
If you absolutely want to ask for money, you could consider telling one of your close friends or family members to spread the word about it rather than asking guests directly.
7.
Register Items of Various Prices Many of the items you really want for your home may cost around $300 but not everyone is willing or able to spend that much cash on a wedding gift.
Make sure you include items with a wide range of prices such as items under $50, under $75, under $100, under $200, etc.
That way your guests can choose gifts that they can afford.
You also want to make sure to have a few expensive items in there too so friends and family members who want to give you a big gift can simply choose one of the pricier items.
8.
Give Thanks Make sure to send all of your wedding guests a thank you card or note for their gifts.
You can either send the card a couple weeks before the wedding or within a month after the wedding.
Mention the specific name of the gift in your card to make it more personal.