Gift Registries

With people leading such busy lives today, gift registries and gift giving services have become increasingly popular over the past two decades.  When it comes to choosing the ultimate wedding gift, registries can not only provide your guests with fast service and a great variety of choice, but they also allow them to purchase something that they know you will appreciate (after all, you have chosen it).

Gift Registries and Gift Ideas 

There are so many choices available when it comes to gift registries with many businesses, from a variety of areas, jumping on board the gift registry ‘band wagon’.  From kettles to kitchenware, appliances to accommodation and BBQ’s to Balinese furniture, when it comes to choosing a gift with your name on it, you’re bound to find a store that will be happy to arrange a bridal registry for you.

Whilst many years ago, the thought of requesting a gift for your wedding was pretty well frowned upon, these days more and more couples, and their guests, consider a bridal registry as an important factor within their wedding planning.  Not only are they convenient and save your guests a great deal of time, a wedding registry will also save you the embarrassment of receiving three separate toasters from three different relatives – now that’s a lot of toast!

If you’re not quite sure if a bridal registry is for you, or you think that bridal registries may limit your choice, when it comes to great gift ideas, think again!  Here are some ideas:

• Department store registry.  You will have no problem deciding upon gifts for your registry from a department store.  Your options are endless.
• Hardware store registry.  These are great for if you’re building or renovating your home, or perhaps wanting to spruce up the backyard with a new outdoor setting, or even a BBQ!
• Travel agency registry.  What a great idea!  With these types of registries, your guests have the option of making financial contributions towards your honeymoon.
• Furniture stores.  What more could you want than to fill that new home with brand new furniture.
• Liquor store registry.  Cellars also offer bridal registries, enabling your guests to purchase an array of alcoholic beverages to fill your bar or cellar.
• Home wares store registry.  These stores offer a variety of kitchen appliances, crockery, cutlery, home wares and linen.  A perfect registry, if you’re moving out of home and need to fill up with the essentials.
• Nursery registry.  Why not jazz up the garden with vouchers from your favourite garden store.

As you can see, there are many options available, and this is by no means a complete list.  Shop around until you find a store that meets your needs.  There are also several online registries that make shopping even easier.

Setting up a bridal registry is a simple process, with the most difficult task possibly being having too many things to choose from!  Once you have found a store or service that offers a bridal registry, you will need to choose a variety of items that you potentially wish to receive as wedding gifts.  The store will begin by taking down your details, including personal information and the date of your wedding.

You will then need to note down your selected items that will eventually form your bridal registry.  If you think of more items at a later date, you will usually be able to add these to your list.  Most stores offering a bridal registry service will provide you with registry cards that are sent to your guests with your wedding invitations.  The card provides the guest with details on how to purchase an item from your registry, if they choose to do so.

Your guests then select and purchase a gift from your registry (usually via telephone, internet, or in person), and their details are recorded by the store.  The gift is then removed from the list, preventing any other guests from purchasing the same item.  Guests will usually be given the choice of having the gift wrapped and delivered, or they may wish to do so themselves.  Delivery is a great option for out of town guests, or for those who are unable to attend your wedding.

In the case of financial or gift voucher registries, such as those provided by travel agents for your honeymoon, your guests either purchase a voucher or make a financial contribution to the bridal registry.  The store or agent will then deposit the contributions into your account after your wedding. Alternately your guests will be provided with a voucher to give to you on your special day. 

Another advantage of the bridal registry is that you will be provided with a print out of all your guests’ names (who have used the service) and the gifts that they have purchased. When you come to writing your thank you cards, you will have all of this information.