Things You'll Need:
- Large Invite List
- Time
- Some Computer Skills
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Step 1
Plan on a large wedding (200-400 people).
When it comes down to it, weddings are a numbers game: there are fixed costs (band, space, etc) you cannot avoid and variable costs (food mainly) that go down with the more people that attend. The more people you invite, the less the wedding costs on a per person basis. If your family helps you with the wedding, that makes this numbers game even easier. -
Step 2
Set up an online registry for your honeymoon.
This is a KEY step as doing a poor job on your registry will greatly impact the registry outcome. The following steps will walk you through setting up this registry. -
Step 3
Find a legitimate online registry site.
Most will charge something, but the cost will be inconsequential is the site does two things well: 1) is attractive and easy to access and 2) is clearly safe to visitor so they are inclined to provide credit card information.
I used and strongly recommend wedshare.com - With this site, I put RSVPing, our engagement story, and everything else online so everyone went to the site and came across the online registry page.
It is also important that the site takes credit cards. Wedshare allowed me to use my paypal account and offered visitors to either pay by paypal OR mail cash/check. You will lose a small percentage with the credit cards but the ease of this will get you more gifts.
DO NOT use a registry that actually buys the items for you. Just because you say you want to go surfing doesn't mean you will really want to when the time comes and you don't want to be forced to either surf or lose that money because of a limiting registry system. Make sure the money goes into your paypal/bank account. -
Step 4
Create your registry.
Important to introduce your registry as something very special and BETTER than stuff in a subtle way. Here was my intro: "We are fortunate enough to have a fully stocked home in Portland. But going on the experience of a lifetime is something we do need help with. Our honeymoon on Kauai is just that. This trip will only be possible with your help, and we promise that we'll never forget it (and we'll take lots of pictures)!"
Make sure you have figured out where you are going and what you want to do. Give people options (flight, lodging, surf lessons, meal at specific restaurant, couples massage, etc). Think about how much people will pay and price accordingly with some high priced and low priced options (we did flight in $75 increments and had a taco dinner for $45). Add pictures and make it attractive (most sites will make this easy to do). Be sure to add descriptions of why these things are important... you want people to know how grateful you are for their financial support in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. -
Step 5
DO NOT include a gift registry.
This is another KEY step. Some people will be frustrated that you are going such a non-traditional route. HOLD FAST! If you offer a gift registry, many on the fence will get you gifts when they would have happily given you money. And those that still want to get you gifts can surprise you (believe me, they will). -
Step 6
Enjoy the rest of your wedding planning, your wedding, and your honeymoon! And be sure to thank everyone for what specific portion of the honeymoon they helped with.
Congratulations!
Comments
suziecat7 said
on 11/29/2009 Excellent article