Your wedding plans are coming together marvelously. The guest list and website are in the final stretches. It is now time to address a tradition as old as weddings themselves: the registry. There is no part of the planning experience that is more enjoyable than registering for gifts. It’s basically online shopping! What could be more fun that than! Read on for a couple of our favorite wedding registry tips.
Why should you set up a registry?
Most couples used to live separately, hence the reason to set up a registry to fill their new homes. Although it is not as common today, it is just as important to create a registry as it allows your guests to start a game plan on what to purchase and puts a stop to duplicate gifts.
When should you start putting your registry together?
Like every other step of planning your big day, it is equally important to start designing your wedding registry early. Ideally, couples should include their registry on their wedding websites. It’s best not to include them on formal invitations so provide a link of your save-the-date or include them as separate small enclosures.
What to put on your wedding registry?
The most typical places couples include on their wedding registry are large chain stores like Walmart, Dillard’s, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, etc. These stores are all great options, but make sure that your guests have access to buy from these stores. Online shopping is another great option as it can allow for shipping straight to the couples’ homes. Popular online retailers in Amazon, Zola, and The Knot.
What you put on your registry can be basic everyday appliances, however, your registry can also act as a platform for what will become your home’s aesthetic. The Knot includes its own list of the best gifts to include on your registry.
Kitchen:
- KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 qt. stand mixer: $400
- OXO Good Grips POP 20-piece food storage set: $100
- Pyrex 4-piece glass measuring cup set: $42
- Rachael Ray Cucina 10-piece non-stick bakeware set: $80
- Libbey Acacia wood cake dome with lid: $55
- Lenox Tuscany Classics chardonnay wine glass set: $50 for 4 glasses
- DASH 2 qt. compact air fryer: $55
- Cuisinart 13-piece grilling toolset: $29
Vacuums
- iRobot Roomba E5 WIFI enabled robotic vacuum: $350
- Dyson V7 Motorhead cordless bagless stick vacuum: $250
Bathroom
- Nautica Belle Haven 6-piece bath towel set: $46
- Umbra Hub 4-bar adjustable blanket ladder: $80
Other items include bedding, pillows, luggage, home decor, and camping supplies. Incorporate items for gatherings like grilling tools and fun yard games! Just make sure to include a wide price range for your guests to choose between.
Registry alternatives
Do you and your fiancé already live together? Are you and your fiancé combining household items? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you might only need a few items. Luckily, there are popular alternatives to a traditional registry.
Donate to Charity: Some Brides and Grooms have found it more appealing to have guests donate to a cause. Couples can donate to charities to honor loved ones with diseases and disabilities or to local businesses.
Cash and Gift Cards: Although it may seem taboo, more and more couples are just asking for cash and gift cards. This actually puts less pressure on guests when it comes to buying gifts and makes it easier to transport after the wedding. Setting up a cash fund also gives couples the power to apply the money toward other opportunities like buying their own house or funding their honeymoons.
Honeymoon Fund Registry: A honeymoon fund registry makes it easy to crowdsource cash for airfare, lodging, excursions, and more. Most banks can also help couples set up their funds before
Last Minutes Reminders
- Find a time to open gifts. It can be during the reception, after cleanup, or over brunch the next morning.
- Don’t forget to send your guests thank you cards. Send them out before you leave for your honeymoon. It’s a small thing that lets your guests know that you care.
- If you leave for your honeymoon, make sure to leave your gifts with a loved one for save keeping.
- Have fun! It’s your wedding so enjoy spending time and planning with your partner.
Event Experts at Complete Weddings + Events Kansas
Whether you want one service or all six, we specialize in creating custom packages for our couples to meet their needs and budget. Tailoring each of our services to reflect your style and vision and allowing you to be a part of the planning process every step of the way. The best part is you get a team of professionals to help with all the details from our knowledgeable office staff, in-house full-time wedding planner, and experienced event staff, we have you covered and want your planning process to be a stress-free experience.
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