If you are getting married, then you will have gift registries at one or more online or local stores. These gift registries help your wedding guests to select a gift that won’t be duplicated by someone else. As a wedding guest buys a gift, he can check it off the list so that someone else won’t buy the same thing. However, there are etiquette guidelines for wedding gift registries that brides and grooms should follow. Here are some of the things that you should and shouldn’t place on your gift registry.
Plan Far in Advance
Experts suggest preparing your gift registries for your wedding far in advance. This gives your guests time to select items for the wedding shower and engagement party. For most grooms and brides, completing the gift registry five to six months before the wedding day is recommended. Remember that some of your guests are busy, and if they want to order monogrammed gifts, then the individuals need plenty of time to find the perfect present.
Choose Useful Items
Don’t request frivolous items that are easy to buy for a cheap price. Wedding gifts are traditionally high-quality items that add value to your daily life as a couple. Great gifts include wineglasses, dishware or monogrammed bathroom linens. Small appliances and furniture items are also suitable gifts to request, but remember, that if you already have certain things, then you shouldn’t request the same item as a wedding gift.
Bedding Goods
New bedding goods, such as a gel memory foam mattress are great things to have on your wedding gift registry. These items can include blankets, pillows and comforters in addition to pillowcases and sheets. You can also specify a particular color or type of fabric for bedding when you are creating a wedding gift registry. Don’t forget to add the size of bedding that is required for a particular bed that you already own or plan to buy. It’s usually things that people feel like they are investing in your future together, so things you’ll use every day or that you wouldn’t be able to get without help are definitely something you should add to your list.
Larger Items that You Can’t Move
Avoid asking for larger items that you can’t move to a different location. This is especially important when you are going to move to a new location that is far from the wedding site’s location. When you are relocating for a job or military service, don’t ask for items that you can’t use or transport to a different home.
Honeymoon Fund
If you are on a tight budget for your honeymoon you may want to add a link to a honeymoon fund or your venmo. The idea is to not seem greedy. If you are financially very secure then this may look like you are tacky or taking advantage of the situation. Traditionally, blanket requests for money were seem as improper. However, if you’re loved ones know that you are not financially secure then requests to help you on your way are not improper.
Everyone is Different
Remember that just because something is on the registry it doesn’t mean that’s what you are going to get. Guests will come with different budgets and may get you something they can afford that they can see from the registry that you need. You can usually return most items when they give you the gift receipt. You should not call someone out for getting you something that was not in the gift registry to begin with. Be thankful for all your gifts as you get started in this new union.
About the author:
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max. Kara is the youngest of four. She has two hilarious brothers and one beautiful sister. She also is the aunt of 5 crazy little girls that she loves more than anything!! Kara is not yet able to be a mom, but she loves being around kids and being like a second mom to her nieces. She dreams of the day that she can start her own little family.