7 Rules for Making your Dream Wedding Registry
Registry shopping must be one of the most fun parts of wedding planning. Who doesn’t love new towels and sheets?
However, if you were looking forward to going up and down the aisles with one of those scanner guns, you might be disappointed. Most retailers have moved away from this process, and most wedding registries are created online. The days of the traditional registry with its formal dinnerware, crystal stemware, and silver that requires polishing are behind us. Today’s bride and groom are registering for items that fit their lifestyle. That’s not to say you shouldn’t register for porcelain and crystal, but don’t feel like it’s a requirement.
Before you and your fiancé rush into creating your registries, either online or in person, take inventory of the pieces you have, and what you wish you had. Be sure to note anything that is starting to look worn, or maybe doesn’t work anymore. You may need a few more dinner plates or a vacuum with real suction, and these can be great items to add to your registry. An alternative to traditional items is picking out items you may want for your personal life, like board games, sports gear, or dog toys. Don’t hesitate to do a bit of research on some of the larger ticket items, either.
It’s best to get your registry up and running as soon as possible. Post it on your wedding website so that your potential guests can start planning early. Since your friends and family will want to send or bring engagement gifts, having your registry handy will allow them the ease of selection, and ensure that you’ll receive something you want.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to pick just one place to register; two or three gift registries are completely acceptable and even expected. Remember that your guests like to have options on where to shop and what to get you. Be sure to register for a wide range of items across many different price points. If some friends and family are going to be attending an engagement party, a bridal shower, and the wedding, they’ll appreciate some items at the lower end of their budget.
Where you register can be just as important as what you register for. Keep in mind that some of your guests prefer to go to a physical store and browse your registry items in person, while other guests appreciate the ease of ordering online. With that said, almost anything can be added to a registry these days. Retailers like Best Buy and Domino’s Pizza have even jumped on the wedding registry bandwagon. Yes, you can create a pizza wedding registry.
Stores like Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Kohl’s are popular locations for registries and are easily accessible within the Texoma area. For those wanting to create an online registry, Amazon, Zola, and Blueprint Registry are also popular.
Some retailers offer a completion discount, which allows you to purchase unfulfilled items on your registry at a discounted rate for a short period of time after your wedding. Check the fine print anywhere that you’re planning to register at, just so there are no surprises.