Finding the person with whom you want to spend the rest of your life is an extraordinary experience. Creating a wedding registry with him or her to begin that life can also be a lot of fun. To make the most of it, plan what you really want (and more importantly, what you don't want). The following tips can serve as a guide.
Take Inventory
One common mistake that most engaged couples make is registering for too many things. Keep in mind that you have to find a place to put all the gifts you receive. Think about the space that you will be living in. Where will the items on your registry go? If half the things on your list have the potential to end up in storage, you may want to reconsider what you're asking for. Before you ever pick up the scanner to start making choices, talk to each other about what you don't want on your registry.
Unless you are both moving right out of your childhood homes or your college dorms into the place you'll live together as a married couple, you probably already have all the things you absolutely need. In fact, you may have two of them! Make a list of household items you are bringing with you. Decide what you're donating and identify the things that you want to replace. Once you have this list, you are in a better position to realize what needs to be on your registry.
Choose What You Really Want
A couple's wedding registry should be a reflection of how they envision their lives together. Think about how many of your relatives have cabinets or other storage spaces in their homes that hold beautiful things they never seem to use. Now consider the sobering thought that they probably received many of those things from guests at their weddings. Decades later, these unused items are still taking up room.
The good news is that you don't have to register for the gravy boat that you have absolutely no intention of ever using. When it comes to your wedding registry, you and your partner are the only authorities on what needs to be on it. Fight the urge to give in to the pressure to scan every item that looks interesting and focus on what you really want. Try to select gifts that span a wide range of cost so that all guests can choose something they can easily afford. Traditional recommendations may be a good starting point for ideas, but you can register for just about anything you want:
- Honeymoon fund
- Savings for a house
- Wine or food clubs
- Charity donations
- Outdoor furniture or appliances
- Travel gear
- Fun experiences
Start Early
You don't want to wait until you are ready to send out invitations to put your registry together. This is especially true if you plan on making lists at multiple places. In fact, you can start planning your registry as soon as you announce your engagement. The people who love you are likely to be almost as excited as you are and looking for ways to bless you. The sooner you complete your registries, the better they can plan for the perfect gift.
It's also a good idea to make your registry easy to find and use. If you have lists at several places, find a service where you can import all of them. That way, you can send out one link that gives your loved ones all the information they need.
Your wedding registry is a great way to communicate your needs and desires clearly. A well-organized and personalized registry makes gift-giving a snap for your guests.
