How to Do Your Wedding Registry the Right Way

We all love getting gifts. Traditionally, wedding gift registries are great ways for new couples to stock up on everyday items they'll need for their house and new life together. A gift registry allows family and friends to know exactly what your wants and needs are to ensure that you don't get thirty crystal serving platters. On the appearance of it, setting up a gift registry should be a fun, exciting event. However, if it's not done properly it can be quite stressful and become a burden more than anything. Trust me, I know from personal experience. Here are a few things to take into consideration before you set up your gift registry:

Plan.
The absolute biggest mistake a couple could possibly make is not planning out their wants and needs. Heading to the store unprepared is a big waste of time and I can guarantee there will be fights along the aisles. Before you head into the store, have a talk and discuss your wants and needs. Take a sheet of paper and immediately make two columns. The first column should be your wants, while the second column is needs. It's easy to get the two things confused. Your needs are the most important items on the list. The wants are things that you prefer or desire if you receive everything else on the list.

Use Common Sense.
Use common sense when listing items. For instance, if your home's décor is more casual, do you really plan on holding many formal dinners? If not, then don't register for nice dishes or china glasses. If your kitchen is already stocked with nice appliances then don't go for items like a bread maker or ice cream maker if you honestly know you won't ever use it. It'll either end up in the attic or for sale on EBay. Also, be sure that the items you register for matches the overall style of your home.

If you're not realistic about your needs then you're just wasting your friends and family's time, as well as their money. If your appliances work just fine and have never given you a problem, then don't register for a new one just to fill the list.

Something for Everyone.
The guests that attend your wedding will range from young to old and poor to rich. Some people do not have the time, ability, nor financial means to afford expensive gifts. By including a wide range of merchandise, you're allowing everyone to buy something affordable, not just a rich boss. For those couples that are already living together prior to the wedding and you've already got the basic home and kitchen items then you may want to consider other recreational gear, such as camping or sports equipment.

Another new trend is a honeymoon wedding registry, and you can read about it in my article featured here on Associated Content. To summarize, this process involves friends and family members donating money to a general honeymoon fund that pays for the major costs like the plane ticket and lodging. You can also register for specific activities such as scuba diving, swimming with the dolphins, or perhaps a romantic sunset cruise.

Don't Stray From the List
The problem most couples have, like my wife and I, is that when you go to the store you start to wander around and gaze the aisles for things you like. For instance, your wife may see a new hair dryer she likes while you're trying to convince her that you need a new drill and tool set. This will lead to a long and frustrating argument. By keeping to the list, you're staying on neutral ground and accomplishing a task together. If you feel like your needs list is very small, then before you go to the store again discuss a few things that you'd like for yourself that may not necessarily benefit the other. Many stores such as Bed, Bath, and Beyond have a worksheet that is itemized and will give you better direction as to the types of things you need to be registering for.

Getting the Word Out.
You should register at least give to six months before your wedding day. This will give people plenty of time to go out and look for the items you've registered for. It's also a wise idea to call the stores from time to time to see if they still have your selection in stock. I also highly recommend not registering for items that are on sale. Most of the time these items are either seasonal or will be taken off of the shelf in a matter of weeks. Register for gifts that you know will be available down the road.

Most people will tell you that it's not proper etiquette to list your registry on the invitations. Your wedding ceremony guests have already spent the time and energy to come to your wedding, by listing the store it's saying you're expecting more out of them. Don't make this mistake. I recommend telling a few family members or friends, and let word of mouth do the work. You could also list it on your wedding website so any visitors can find it. Listing on a website is a great idea because the guest could then search the Internet for that specific store and even look up your registry online.

Every gift you receive is going to be special, whether it's something you registered for or not. Always know that this is one of the most exciting times in your life. Don't ruin it with bitter arguments over whether or not you want a new blender.