Here’s Exactly When You Should Set Up Your Wedding Registry
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Congratulations, you’ve said, “Yes!” and now your ever-growing wedding to-do list won’t stop until you say “I do.” Among the slew of wedding-planning tasks between celebrating your engagement and walking down the aisle is registering for wedding giftsa fun, yet time- and thought-consuming task that you certainly won’t regret. But determining exactly when to register within your giant timeline of events can be confusing, so we’re here to help.
In terms of general etiquette guidelines, most professionals agree that within the seven to nine-month range before your wedding date is the ideal time to register. Within this time, it’s implied that your bridal shower and any other pre-wedding festivities will take place, and with your registry created and ready to go, gift-giving will be a breeze.
Major Wedding Registry Donts
Ready to set up a wedding registry? Weve got etiquette tips and advice to make the wedding gift experience great for you and your guests.
Your friends and family want to contribute something to your new married life together. Something… but what? If youve already settled into your own place, it may be hard to figure out what to get you. Thats where your wedding registry comes into play. While writing your wish list shouldnt be too difficult, there are some things youll want to avoid. From not rushing the process to not waiting too long to send those thank-you notes, weve got etiquette tips and advice to make the wedding gift experience great for you and your guests.
The Knot Wedding Registry
While household items are always welcome on a wedding registry, sometimes its a better fit to ask for honeymoon funds or to put money toward buying your first house together. After all, those items arent exactly found in stores! A wedding registry from The Knot offers a wedding registry for cash funds. Or, add any item from any store, including Anthropologie, Sur La Table, Target and more. The registry will keep everything organized in one place for you, including the option to create a free wedding website to go along with it. Its wedding planning made easy!
Top pick: The celebration certainly doesnt have to stop after your wedding day. Pop the bubbly and keep the party going with Kate Spade stemless champagne flutes decked out, of course, in a classic Kate Space polka dot pattern.
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Select Two To Three Places To Register
Youll want to do more than one store in order to have a wide price selection for all budgets as well as to cover all the items that you may need.
One recommendation we have is to choose both a big-box store as well as a local shop with a personalized wedding registry process.
Popular wedding registry stores such as Pottery Barn, Target and Bed Bath and Beyond have a one-registry solution that makes multiple stores available within a single registry to manage. For instance, Pottery Barn registries also include Williams-Sonoma and West Elm.
Three Things to Keep In Mind When Selection Your Registry Locations
- Do they have a good return policy?
- What is their completion program?
- Do they have other perks such as honeymoon or experience funds?
Some of our favorite perks are Targets group gifting feature, Pottery Barns personalized registry experience with help from a staff designer and Bloomingdales rewards on their clothing when couples register for home items.
When youre picking where you want to register, dont overlook anything. If youre needing furniture to set up your new home, look at furniture stores and dont be afraid of registering for basics like storage and organization items.
Laboratorio Paravicini Playplates Swallows Dinner & Dessert Plates
For the foodie and entertaining duo who loves to mix and match, Food52 is the ultimate place to score everything from one-of-a-kind home goods to minimalist table settings.
Where to Register: Online. Shipping Options: Standard shipping applies.Return Policy: As many items are one-of-a-kind made to order by artisans, sales are final. However, if something arrives broken or doesnt make you completely happy, contact within 30 days of receiving your order and they will work with you to find a solution.Registry will stay active for: Indefinitely.Gift-wrapping fee: No gift-wrap available.Discounts to know about: The couple will receive 10 percent off the entire site for the six months following their wedding.
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How Expensive Should Wedding Registry Items Be
One of the most important considerations to keep in mind when creating your registry is the cost of each item. With so many wedding registry ideas to pick from, it can be easy to add the most luxurious gifts to your wishlist. It is important to include a few high-ticket items, because some guests will want to splurge on your wedding present. But also be sure to cater your wedding registry list to all guests, including those who might be working with a smaller budget. We recommend adding a range of wedding gifts between $50 and $200+. Having plenty of gift options at various price points will create an easy gifting experience for your nearest and dearest. After all, that’s the most important reason for creating a wedding registry listand it’s a great way to ensure you and your partner will get the gifts you want most on your big day.
You Only Want/need The Big Expensive Stuff
Sure, youd love to ask people for that stand mixer youve been coveting since you were a child. Or that Vitamix thatll make soups and smoothies. But you dont feel right asking people to spend $300 on you. You dont want to seem brazen. You also dont want people to think that youre too hoity-toity.
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Dont Forget To Tell Your Guests
Once its crafted, youre going to need to let your guests know about it. According to traditional etiquette, you shouldnt mention your gift registry on your wedding invitations, although it is acceptable to include it with bridal shower invitations. If youre being more modern about things, you might put registry info on your save-the-date cards. One popular option is to include the URL of your wedding website on invitations, etc., and have the registry information posted there. In many instances, guests will just ask you, or your parents, or members of your family or wedding party – so make sure everyone has your wedding registry details.
Crate And Barrel Wedding Registry
Everyone who registers for wedding gifts at Crate and Barrel gets an exclusive discount. That discount is 15 percent off any Crate and Barrel purchase in the three months after your wedding. It isnt limited to items left on your registry.
There is another freebie perks that couples can get from Crate and Barrelfree stemless wine glasses. However, they arent an automatic gift for the engaged couple.
Instead, youll need to attend one of Crate and Barrels Private Registry Events. Then, as a thank you for attending, youll get your free wine glasses.
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What Should You Not Put On Your Wedding Registry
While there aren’t too many rules about what you can add to your wishlist, there are a few things you shouldn’t register for. Because there are so many wedding registry ideas, it’s easy to get carried away when selecting gifts. Keep in mind that your wedding registry is a shared list for you and your partner, so it’s not the place for personal items . Also avoid registering for gifts for other people, trendy items you might want to return in the future, and things you specifically want to use for your wedding day. By keeping your wedding registry list specific to items for your newlywed life, guests will have no problem selecting the perfect present.
Electronic Wedding Registry Ideas
Smart Home Devices:
Whether you use or to control everything from your lights to your thermostat, your wedding registry is the perfect time to get a complete setup. And dont forget your sound system!
Vacuum:
Every home should have a good vacuum, but theyre not cheap. Which is why you should consider making it one of your group gifts. The Dyson Cordless Stick Vacuum is seriously amazing . But if we were to splurge even more, I would consider getting an iRobot Roomba.
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Yes You Can Register For Alcohol
Maybe youve coveted a Le Creuset Dutch oven for your entire life and you cant wait to add it to your wedding registry. I love that for you. But maybe you dont actually need many more pots and pans or plates or bowlsperhaps, over a year-plus of pandemic cooking, you got yourself pretty well equipped. Still, theres a reason wedding registries exist: to tell your guests what you really do want so they dont spend a bunch of money on something you dont want . If your living space is crammed, the best wedding gifts are those you can use up.
The dream? A well-stocked bar cart, packed with everything you need to make your favorite cocktails.
Many of the build-your-own registry sites, like Zola or The Knot, will let you add whatever you want to a wish list. Heres what Id recommend.
The Best Websites To Register For Your Wedding
From the basics to finishing touches, honeymoon funds, and charities of your choice.
After you get engaged, your registry should actually be the first task on your to-do list. Our expert advice? Register ASAP. Gifts will arrive whether you’ve curated them or not. And where you curate that wish list of what you’ll use to fill your newlywed home is a matter of editing, taste, and shopping strategy. It may seem daunting at first, but what was once a lengthy process involving multiple visits to different department stores has become easier than ever.
While some registries are considered universal registrieswhich means they allow you to import unique items from other websites and online retailersothers allow you to only register from their specific site or create a registry fund . With so many chic product assortments and online resources, your registry is sure to become less of a wedding planning box to tick, and more something enjoyable that you can do from home with your future spouse.
If you and your significant other have been living together for a while, you likely have the basics covered. But even if you’re merging your respective kitchen, bath, and home decor items together, you’re likely going to need a few things to transition you into your newlywed space.
Handcrafted and specialty items are going to be the add-ons that make your registry true to your style as individuals, and as a couple. Think: personal keepsakes that feel unique to you.
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Tabletop Wedding Registry Ideas
Dinnerware:
Were a fan of mixing everyday dinnerware with more eclectic patterns of bone china, which is super resilient. Our advice? Dont be afraid to use it everyday! Most china are dishwasher safe. However some finishes cant go in the microwave, so be sure to check first.
For everyday dinnerware we are big fans of Heath. We mix ours with a vintage Fitz and Floyd pattern we found on Etsy and its such a fun combo!
Editors Tip: Depending on how much entertaining you plan on doing, youll want to register for 6-12 place settings. If you have small dinner parties, 8 place settings is a great place to start. Same goes for glassware and flatware.
Glassware:
When it comes to glassware, youll want to start off with the basics:
- Wine glasses
- Water glasses
- Rocks glasses
- Coupes
From there you can add speciality glasses like Nick and Nora glasses , whiskey glasses, highball glasses, etc.
For water glasses, we really love this affordable 16-piece set from Libbey. And for wine glasses, you cant go wrong with Riedel.
Flatware:
Avoid going too trendy with your flatwareyou want something that will age well and goes with everything! Fortessa makes really great flatware for a good price, and you can register for it at most big-name stores.
Linens:
Dont underestimate what nice quality napkins can do for a place setting! Were a fan of linen, which you can easily dress up or down depending on the occasion. The Mason oversized linen napkins from Pottery Barn are our top pick.
Kitchenaid Artisan Series 10
What would a list of wedding registry ideas be without the most popular wedding gift of all? A KitchenAid stand mixer costs a pretty penny, but it’s famous for a reason. The plentiful attachments are a joy to use and the color options are a joy to look at. It truly is a baker’s dream appliance.
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Bed Bath And Beyond Bridal Registry
The Bed, Bath and Beyond bridal registry has partnered with certain brands that are popular on bridal registries. This gives you, the bride and groom, free stuff as a thank you for registering for those brands.
Actually, the wedding registry freebie comes when your guests buy the products. Then, you send in a redemption form for your free item.
Free stuffif that isnt one of the best wedding registry perks, I dont know what is?!
Keep in mind that Bed, Bath and Beyond stocks many brands that offer a lifetime warranty. These products that are guaranteed for life can save you money in the long run!
What Exactly Should You Register For
Youre in good hands at Kitchn. The editors here are going to be doing a lot more on wedding registries adorably under the idea of The Happy Ever After Kitchen during the next two months. Stick with them and theyll tell you the most long-lasting kitchen items they think you should register for, where you should register, the most popular registry items, and more.
In the meantime, some tried-and-true pieces: The Wedding Registry Gifts We Still Use 10 Years Later
So go forth and register. Use a scanner gun at your local fancy cookware shop. Set up a personal-feeling universal registry in true millennial style. Heck, set up a small registry with a few good things, and start a whisper campaign for cash.
But whatever you do, enjoy it. Wedding planning can be stressful AF. You deserve at least one wild frolic through the china.
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