Unraveling The Mystery of Wedding Registries

If tou are planning a wedding or going to one anytime in the near future you need to know about wedding registries. We've all heard stories about the bride and groom opening their gifts and finding that at last two or three people bought them the same thing. Usually it's a toaster or one of those handy kitchen grills. These things are great to have in your kitchen, but no one needs multiples.

That's where the gift registry comes in. A gift registry allows the bride and groom to select items the need for their home. Most major department stores and super centers have gift registries. You can either register in the store or online. Gift registries are a great way to let your guests know what you need so that you don't end up with a cabinet full of things you will never use.

Whether you are the bride and groom or a guest these tips will have make the gift giving and receiving easier.

Bride and Groom

• Register at multiple locations. When we got married we registered at a high end department store as well as the local super center.


• Be cautious about the price of the items you register for. Not everyone on your guest list can afford to spend hundreds of dollars on a gift for you and your spouse. It's okay to register for high end items as long as you add some economially friendly itmes into the mix.


• Register for everything you need. Don't be afraid to register for stuff. If you need dish towls or that garlic press register for it.


• Keep an eye on your registry online and update it as you get gifts. Some gifts might arrive before the wedding and for some reason the retailers don't always get them marked off your registry list so make sure to check so you don't get multiples. This will save you a visit to the returns line later.


• Let the groom have some fun ladies. Most of the time we take over the registry but guys have friends too. Give your man the go ahead to go hog wild in the home improvement store. Who knows, you might even get some use out of the power drill too.


• Let your guests know where you are registered. You probably don't want to include this in your invite but make sure your bridal shower guests know where you are registered. If you have a wedding website be sure to post a link to your registries for easy access.


• Expect to get some things that aren't on the list. There are some guests who don't pay attention to registries so be prepared for this.

Guest

• Find out where the couple is registered. If you don't know ask someone in the wedding party.


• Pay attention to the list. The couple registered for those specific items for a reason. If they asked for dark blue sheets for their master bedroom don't buy them red ones.


• Always get a gift receipt. With a gift receipt the couple can return damanged merchandise without hassle.


• Chip in with friends to buy more expensive items. This is a great idea for memebers of the wedding party.

Why are you still sitting there reading this? Go check out your favorite store and see if they offer wedding registries. You will be glad you did.