Wedding Registering Etiquette
Wedding registries allow the bridal couple to tell guests what items they need to start a life together. Bridal couples may be unsure about where to register, when to register, and how many items to put on the registry. Following the etiquette for wedding registries can help make this part of the planning process go smoothly, and put guests at ease.
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Quantity
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Determine how many gifts to register for by researching the wedding registries offered by popular stores. Etiquette guru Peggy Post says, "When you register, either in-store or online, you'll find registry checklists that contain every conceivable item you could possibly want." Registering for too few items might give guests too narrow a selection to choose from. Select two to three gifts per guest to give people a variety of options, depending on their budget.
Where to Register
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Choose a couple places to register so guests have an upscale option and an affordable option. Peggy Post states, "A traditional department store registry and a smaller 'lifestyle' retailer may cover all the bases for some couples." Guests from large cities may want to shop at stores that are upscale to give fancy gifts. Guests who cannot afford upscale products should not be excluded from the registry; an affordable store option gives them a chance to purchase a gift for the newlyweds.
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Telling Guests
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Have close family members tell the rest of the wedding guests where the bridal couple is registered. According to The Knot, "Word of mouth is the best way to loop everyone in on your registry. Make sure your wedding party and parents know so they can clue in guests when they ask." Including a card in the invitation about the registry is usually frowned upon by etiquette experts.
When to Register
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Plan the wedding registry early in the timeline of wedding preparation events. The Knot recommends registering seven to nine months before the wedding "to ensure that shower guests as well as wedding guests will have access to your registry." Taking time to carefully pick out registry items early ensures that the wedding couple will not get bogged down with creating a registry later, when there are other important planning tasks to take into consideration.
Second Weddings
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According to I Do! Take Two, guests should register for gifts even if they are having a second wedding and they have plenty of things for their home already. Guests will still want to buy the couple gifts, and they should know what the couple wants. If you truly do not want household items, consider a honeymoon registry or registering to do something romantic together.
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References
- Photo Credit A pair of wedding bands on an exquisite gold-colored gift box. image by weim from Fotolia.com
