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Wedding Gift Registry Website Tips: What You Should Know
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Our Gift Advice Will Help You Create a Registry Everyone Loves
Depending on your outlook, wedding registries can be awkward things to navigate. The act of requesting gifts from loved ones does not come naturally to all, including us! But, no matter how you feel about the subject, we would always recommend creating a wedding registry, as it helps guests know what they should do. Without one, wedding guests will simply buy what they feel is appropriate, not buy anything at all, or constantly ask you what to get! Choosing not to have one is, trust us, worse than not having one at all.
A thoughtfully curated registry will guide guests towards a gift that's appropriately priced for them, while also being something you actually want. And, if you'd like to save for a honeymoon, or start a fund for your kids, rather than receive items for the home. Then a cash funds registry makes that easy too.
If you're unsure of where to start when it comes to registry items, or would like a little background on the etiquette of it all - you've come to the right place. We've put together a quick wedding register guide that'll help you craft the perfect wish list, or seamlessly begin that dream honeymoon fund.
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- Our Gift Advice Will Help You Create a Registry Everyone Loves
- What is a Wedding Gift Registry?
- When Should You Start a Gift Registry?
- How Does a Wedding Gift Registry Work?
- Discuss the List Before Creating it
- What Do You Require? What Do You Want?
- Online Wedding Registry Tips
- Research Gift Items Thoroughly
- Choose Gifts & Assign Cash Pots Together
- Request More Gifts Than You Need
- Add Items to Your Registry with Multiple Price Points
- Consider Logistics & Shipping
- Be Thankful
- Add the Registry to Your Free Wedding Website, Not on Invitations
What is a Wedding Gift Registry?
A wedding registry, or bridal registry, is typically a curated list of items for the home. Traditionally, this crate of items would start a couple up for their first place together, helping them kit out the kitchen, living room etc with all they'll need to start life together. Nowadays, couples are often already living together by the time they tie the knot, and have less need for a full 'first home kit'. But what is required, or desired by modern couples, are those big ticket, high-end items that are typically too expensive to consider ordinarily. The wedding registry offers them the opportunity to request those items, and for loved ones to satisfy their wish.
There are different kinds of gift registries, and in our experience, the best ones combine different themes. For example, a couple might request a few items for their home, but also cash gifts towards a honeymoon and potentially renovations on their home. By blending a gift list that covers all the bases, you're allowing guests the chance to give according to what they feel is suitable. This is what's called a new universal registry.
When Should You Start a Gift Registry?
It's a wise idea to start piecing together a gift registry shortly after your engagement. Give yourself a couple of weeks to thoroughly enjoy being engaged, but after that, start discussing how you'd like to proceed with gift options. Beginning early is great because you can pop items on the list as they come to mind, long before the madness of big day planning kicks off. Plus, your guests can also use it to buy engagement gifts for you. Win-win.
How Does a Wedding Gift Registry Work?
Now you understand what a classic registry is, let's look at how best to set one up.
Discuss the List Before Creating it
No matter what you believe your partners' stance is on wedding gifting, it's important to sit down together and discuss what you both expect from the process. Your partner could be dead against requesting a new fancy toaster, or expensive bed linen, when there's a baby on the way, or a honeymoon you'd both love to plan but can't afford.
Discussing honestly how you both want the wedding day gift list to look is the only way to start. If your opinions are divided, then go with a blended, universal registry, as we mentioned above.
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What Do You Require? What Do You Want?
The great thing about starting a registry early is that you can add gifts thoughtfully, without rush. Look around your home, or picture your soon-to-be home, and take stock of what is available. For example, consider whether expensive flatware will really be useful if you're both always travelling. Maybe some quality suitcases would be a better choice? Perhaps you can't cook, and actually, rather than buying pots and pans, your guests would be better off investing in cooking classes for you.
Choose gifts with intention. Just because you're receiving them for free, it doesn't mean they were free. A loved one has spent their hard-earned money on that item, so make sure it's worth it.
Online Wedding Registry Tips
Craft a seamless wedding registry list with our crucial pieces of gift advice.
Research Gift Items Thoroughly
Even if you've dreamed of having a certain gadget, or utility product for years now, it's important to research it thoroughly. Will it really match up to expectations? Will it fit in your home? Does its price tag belie its true value?
If possible, view products IRL, in-store, and speak to an advisor. They may well point something out about your dream air fryer that makes it a lot less desirable, or be able to recommend an alternative that's more appropriate.
Choose Gifts & Assign Cash Pots Together
We've experienced a lot of conflict within couples during the registry process, and that heated debate often comes down to a lack of discussion. Even if your partner gives you complete freedom to pick and choose gifts at will. Allowing you to select items that solely satisfy you. Don't do it. Eventually, resentment will build, and your partner will soon question why they were so left out of the process. Not only that, but the registry process should be an enjoyable, shared task.
If your partner can't pick out gifts that'll benefit you both, create a cash registry that'll be useful in the future. Whether that money is used to fund a vacation, a baby registry or perhaps be invested. At least your partner will be a part of that money's positivity, and not feel left out.
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Request More Gifts Than You Need
The act of over-registering sounds a little selfish, but it actually benefits guests. Offering a wide selection of gifts at all price points allows loved ones greater freedom over what to purchase. For instance, if a guests' budget is tight, and they arrive at your retailer list late, only to find the cheaper gifts have all been snapped up, they'll feel pressured into going over budget.
Unsure of how many gifts to register for? Our rule of thumb is to multiply your guest list by two, and use that figure when curating a registry. Plus any cash options on top.
Add Items to Your Registry with Multiple Price Points
As mentioned, don't make guests feel like they have to overspend just to be a part of your gift list. We always recommend couples select gifts that fall between $30 and $200+ (£25 - £150/€27-€180). On average, guests spend somewhere a little higher than the average of that price range, but it's crucial to have options available either side of that.
Consider Logistics & Shipping
Having a place to register gifts online should make everyone's lives easier. But that won't be the case if the dinnerware retailer you choose will not ship their products directly to you, or if your tech provider does not offer free shipping. The logistics of receiving gifts should feel as smooth as possible for both you, and your guests.
Be Thankful
We know the wedding planning process was tough, and the last thing you'll want to do post-nuptials is more admin. But thank you notes must be sent out after your wedding date. The people who went out of their way to treat you, deserve to be thanked, and that cannot be done with a quick text.
You should send out physical cards to as many guests as you can, and phone the ones you can't. They will appreciate it, and you'll get enormous satisfaction from doing the right thing.
Add the Registry to Your Free Wedding Website, Not on Invitations
You should feel comfortable in requesting gifts, but your wedding invitations are not the place to do it. That is considered quite rude. The best place to share registry information is on your wedding website. Free wedding website builders such as ours provide a special place for you to place live links to your chosen registry website, or multiple locations. Plus we provide plenty of room for you to explain your choices, and thank people in advance for being involved.
It's important to keep your wedding invitations looking chic, and the link to your registry user-friendly. Which is why we provide a unique QR code for every one of our wedding websites! Easy to download and placed within your invitation design.
Start building the perfect wedding website for free today, and provide your guests with an easy gift registry destination.
Create Your Perfect Free Wedding Website: Templates, Tools & Inspiration
Build a stunning and personalized wedding website effortlessly with Wedding Planning Assistant, our all-in-one platform. Enjoy free access to customizable templates, an intuitive website builder, and inspiring examples to spark your creativity. Streamline your RSVP process, engage guests with creative ideas, and set up your gift registry with expert tips. Whether you’re just starting or looking to enhance your site, our comprehensive tools make planning your big day seamless and memorable.
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