Unraveling The Mystery of Wedding Registries

If you are planning a wedding or going to one anytime time 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 least two or three people bought them the same thing. Usually it's a toaster or one of those handy little 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 choose items that they need for their home. Most major department stores, super centers, and even some home improvement retailers have gift registries. You can register in the store or from home using the company website. They are a great way to let your guests know what you need so 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 help make the gift giving and receiving easier. I know they made my life 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 are registering for. – Not everyone 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 economically friendly products into the mix.

Register for everything you need. – Don't be afraid to register for stuff. If you need dish towels for the kitchen add them to the list.

Keep an eye on your registry online and update it as you get gifts. – Sometimes gifts arrive before the wedding date and for some reason they don't get taken off your registry list. When you get something that's on your list go online to make sure the store removed it. This will save you from a visit to the returns line later.

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

Let your guests know where you are registered. – It's not necessarily a good idea to include the registry information in the wedding invitations, but it is okay to add them to the bridal shower invites. If you have a wedding website you can also list where you are registered.

Expect to get some things that aren't on the list or multiples. – There are some guests who just don't pay attention to registries.

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 put those items on the list for a reason. If they asked for dark blue sheets for their master bedroom don't buy them red.

Always get a gift receipt. – With a gift receipt the couple can return and damaged merchandise without hassle.

If you can't afford the stuff on the list chip in with some other guests for a big gift that comes from the whole group. The bridal party may want to consider this.

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.