Wedding Gifts

gift registries

The bridal registry is a free service offered by most department and specialty stores to help the bride and groom determine what they want and need in order to begin their new lives together. The couple chooses the items they would most like to receive. When gifts are purchased from the registry, it is recorded so other gift-buyers can see what has or has not been purchased. Etiquette dictates that registry information is never written on the wedding invitations themselves. That said, it is still perfectly acceptable to pass along registry information by word of mouth.

Begin to register shortly before your first showers. You want to give your guests plenty of time to purchase gifts, but do not want to register so early that there is merchandise change-over between when you register and your wedding. Both the bride and groom should register, because you are both going to live with the gifts given.

Most couples register at two or more places, not only because one store may not have everything they need, but also because they may want to register at both local stores and national stores.

Depending on the store, a sales associate may assist the couple in registering, even setting up place settings to see how the crystal, china, flatware and linens complement one another. Other sales associates may simply provide a special scanner, explain how to operate it and leave the shoppers to browse and make their selections. Whatever process is used, in the end a record of items desired will be available to anyone requesting the couple’s registry information. From that point on, whenever someone buys a gift and indicates that it is for that couple, the store will mark that item off as purchased.

For guests that live out of town, some stores provide nationwide registry information at their various locations or via the Internet. Many nationwide stores have set up their registries on the Internet so that a customer can visit the website, access your registry list in the store’s database, buy your gift online, and have it shipped directly to you. After deciding where to register, call the store’s registry department to find out the best time to go in. Avoid weekend afternoons and sale days, and make sure to set aside a minimum of one hour for the excursion. Use the “Bridal Registry” form in the Worksheet Section to make sure you do not miss anything. Fill in as much as you can, then do the rest when you get to the stores.

when you have everything you need

As more couples are getting married at a later age in life, many are finding they already have everything they need and prefer not to receive gifts. Couples who find themselves in such a situation may declare“no gifts” or may ask their guests to donate money to a certain charity in lieu of a gift. This generous
gesture not only keeps the couple from receiving many items they may never use, but can also go a long way in helping others!

thank you

No matter what type of gift is given, a "thank you" is always necessary. Be sure that as gifts are opened it is immediately recorded what was received and from whom. Thank you’s should be sent as soon as possible after the gift is received, generally within two to three weeks. Even if the person has already been thanked in person, a written note is still a must. A thank you note should include mention of what the gift is and if it's appropriate, its usefulness, along with the appreciation of it. In the case of money the amount should not be mentioned, but how it is planned to be used may be included.

The "Bridal Registry" form in the Worksheet Section can be used to organize your thoughts. Fill in as much as you can, then do the rest when at the stores.

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