| |
| |
|
Marriage & Wedding Information |
|
8 Questions Brides Ask About Setting up a Wedding Registry
In theory, setting up a registry is simple. You decide on one or several stores, create a registry online or in person, select various items, and get the word out to your guests. In practice, things are a little more complicated -- but only a little! With that said, here's the real deal on setting up your wedding registry and getting the word out without offending your guests. Remember that retailers can be an enormous help to both you and your guests. At the same time, you can't take everything they say at face value. Q: Where should I register? A: Chances are, if you're getting married in your own town, you already know where "everyone goes" to set up and shop from a registry. If not, and guests are flying in from far away, pick from some bride-tested standbys likely to be present almost anywhere. Macy's has a great reputation for registries, as does Williams-Sonoma, Bed Bath & Beyond and other retailers. Before you choose your stores, be sure to stop by a wedding forum and get feedback from brides who have been there, done that. Store policies vary quite dramatically, ranging from the easy-does-it (who'll give you cash back for returns off the registry, no questions asked) to the extremely restrictive (who'll only let you exchange for another item *in that department*, requires a receipt for each item, and so on). You'll want to know about these policies and the store's overall reputation for bridal friendliness before you go in, or returns and exchanges could become a big hassle. Q: I have a wide range of interests. How many stores should I register at? A: Two to three stores is fairly typical. They don't have to be typical stores, though. If you're a wine drinker, and live in a state where it's legal to ship wine, set up a registry at one of the great online wine merchants. Q: When should I register? A: Although close family members may pressure you to start earlier, it's helpful to wait three to six months before the wedding. Not only are the vast majority of gifts bought within a day or so of the shower or ceremony itself, stores turn over merchandise so rapidly that any gifts you select earlier may be discontinued. Q: What if I already have all the kitchen appliances and throw pillows I need? A: Consider putting together a honeymoon registry instead, so guests can contribute toward a special meal or snorkeling trip or a night's lodging during your honeymoon. Q: When I signed up at Store X, they gave me a bunch of attractive registry cards to enclose with my wedding invitations. Should I do it, or is that tacky? A: Sorry, but the consensus is almost universal -- it's uncouth to include any mention of gifts in your invitations. You can, however, tuck those cards into shower invitations. Perhaps the best solution is to include a note in your invitations that reads, "Please see our wedding web site at www.xyz.com" and place your registry information there. Q: How many gifts should I register for? I don't want to look demanding.A: Typically, you'll want to select two or three items per guest. That gives people room to choose instead of locking them into something they don't enjoy buying, or worse, forcing them to guess what else you might like, giving birth to the "second yogurt maker" type of gift. If you have many guests, you can avoid creating a 16-page monstrosity for them to print out by breaking up your registry over several stores. At the end of the day, "more is more." Many retailers offer discounts on those items you registered for but didn't receive. Many stores also retain your registry for at least 12 months after the wedding. You may find it's best to register for everything that you plan to buy, even if you don't expect to get it as a gift; you can then purchase your selections for 10% or 20% off after the ceremony. Many brides also find friends and family tapping registries for gift buying ideas for birthdays and other holidays! Q: What price range should I stick with when selecting items? A: Generally, you should register for things you really feel you want or need, without worrying too much about the price. Some guests enjoy picking up a number of items in the low price range, and sometimes guests will group together to purchase bigger-ticket items. Q: I've set up my registry just fine, but now I'm addicted to checking it online. How can I stop? A: Sorry, there's no known antidote for registry-checking addiction, though it's a widespread phenomenon. Counting to ten, taking deep breaths or distracting yourself with double-fudge ice cream might be worth a shot. Blake Kritzberg is circus-master at "FavorIdeas.com." Stop by for wedding favor ideas, Save-the-Date eCards, free wedding screensaver, free wedding templates and Bridezilla's weekly adventures at:http://www.favorideas.com
MORE RESOURCES:
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
2005 Mother Of Bride Dress A 2005 mother of bride dress tends to have a different look and feel to it than did mother of the bride dresses in the past. That's because today's mother of the bride tends to be a different sort of woman, having come of age in a different culture than the typical mother of the bride from eras gone by. Las Vegas Wedding Chapels In Las Vegas, once you get your marriage license you don't have to wait for any predetermined amount of time and there is no blood test required before you can get married. Thinking about getting married in a chapel? The advantage of getting married in a chapel is that once you have chosen the one that is right for you, half of the job is completed because the chapel managers will do most of the work for you. Second Marriages. Estate Planning Concerns One of the biggest areas of dispute in estate planning is with second marriages. Here is a question I received. Cheap Wedding Invitations Your wedding invitations are your announcement to family and friends of your wedding date. A special day you want them to remember as the best wedding they've ever been to. How To Keep Love Alive In Your Marriage In the beginning of a relationship, love seems to have a life of its own. Without much effort, you feel like you are on top of the world. Bora Bora Honeymoon Vacations Poets, sailors, honeymooners and other romantics have officially declared this island to be the most enchanting, breath-taking, romantic and unique place on earth. This is because Bora Bora honeymoon vacations are all about relaxing and enjoying secluded moments with a loved one on a utopian island with its warm waters, gentle climate and dramatic beauty. Get The Bling Without The Sting - Affordable Engagement Rings Just because you don't have a lot of money doesn't mean you can't find an affordable engagement ring that looks like it cost a fortune.Tips on getting more diamond for your dollar when choosing an affordable engagement ring. Wedding Budget - What Can You Do To Shave It, Yet Still Have A Memorable Wedding? OK, so you have your heart set on the top banquet facility in the area. The only thing is once you've done that, your wedding budget is shot. What Goes Into Wedding Preparation From Your DJ? Exactly what should your disc jockey be doing in the weeks/months prior to your wedding? If you think that they just show up at your reception and are ready to go - you've missed out on what they've been doing to prepare.Typically, your DJ will meet you during the sales stage of things - you get to know him, they get to know what you are looking for. Classic White Color for Bridal Gown Ever since Queen Victoria wed in 1840, however, white has remained the traditional color for wedding gowns and bouquets. A woman then used her dress for Court Presentation after marriage, usually with a different bodice. Wedding Cake - Bakery Tips Wedding cake bakeries will have a cake portfolio to look at and that will help you decide if they are able to make the cake you want.Have an idea of how many guests you will have at your reception, this will help determine the amount of wedding cake you will need or number of cupcake wedding cakes. Want to Get Married in Las Vegas? Only in Las Vegas can you find everything for your wedding from the most lavish, private accommodations in the world to down and dirty Elvis impersonators, drag queens and scantily clad serving wenches sharing your wedding day. Choose from a church, a golf course, a casino, or any one of dozens of wild theme weddings, from the merely eclectic to the decidedly weird. The Perfect Bridal Makeup for Your Wedding Day It's important that your makeup look its absolute best for your wedding day. Whether you plan to marry on a beach at noon or at night under the stars, by keep your makeup simple you will look and feel great. Wedding Planning Tips and Tricks Planning a wedding is an exciting thing, and can be very scary. With some basic tips and tricks, you will be sure to make you day special. Searching For An Affordable Mother Of The Bride Dress It is absolutely possible to find a beautiful and affordable mother of the bride dress. It may take a bit of an investment of time and effort, but you'll spend that finding the perfect dress for you, regardless of how much money you want to spend on it. The Charm of a Gatlinburg Wedding Nestled in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg's romantic and beautiful outdoor scenery is perfect both for honeymoons and weddings. Hundreds of couples take their oaths in Gatlinburg each year, both in casual and formal settings. Is Conflict Healthy in Marriage? Today my three-year-old daughter told my husband that she wants to be married. When he asked her why, she replied, "Because you get to be nice to one another". Cookie Wedding Favors Cookies as wedding favors, create an unique twist on the time honored tradition of providing small gifts to guests, as a token of appreciation from the bride and groom. Initially wedding favors were only a part of celebrations European upper classes who would provide elaborate gifts to their guests. Mindfulness and Marriage: Moving Along Marriage has to be the greatest opportunity for mindfulness on the planet.I used to think that parenting took top honors, but really, a good marriage lasts a lot longer than a good childhood. Symbolism of Wedding Rings "The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed." -C.
|
| home | site map | contact us |
