Wedding Registry Woes

Creating a wedding registry is a lot of fun. You and your fiancé get to select all the accoutrements you want from your favorite stores and have other people buy them for you. Registering lets people know what you want and helps to avoid duplicates of gifts. It is a great thing but some couples run into problems when it comes to what and how much to put on a registry. Here are a few things to consider when you are adding items to your wishlist.

Consider your lifestyle
There is a lot of temptation for couples to register for the "traditional" items, such as China or linens. These are great items and your wedding is a great opportunity to receive these things that you and your sweetie might not necessarily be able to afford for years on your own. But, you should also consider the your personalities. If you are not the kind of people that enjoy fine dining or hosting dinner parties, you might not need to have fine China lying around. The key is to get things that you are actually going to use! If you are an outdoorsy couple, register for some great camping gear. If you love to travel select some really nice luggage for your excursions around the world. Also, pick stores that actually have things that you want. You do not have to go to the highest end stores around to get some great stuff. You also don't have to go to the traditional hot spots for your wedding registry, however not all stores you frequent will have a gift registry option. The important thing is that you don't let friends and family pressure you to register for things you do not want or need.

The key is continuity
You want things that match. This may seem like a fairly obvious observation, but it needs to be taken seriously. When selecting things for your kitchen, choose appliances that match. It is usually a good idea to go with a neutral color like white, black, or stainless steel. These colors go with pretty much any décor. Having appliances that are all different colors will look tacky, especially if they are all sitting out on the counter next to each other. Same goes for bath and bedding items. You can get towels in different colors, however the colors should complement one another. Your sheets are your thing, pick whatever color you want, though you should get an extra set either in the same color or another color that will also match your comforter and bedskirt. Color coordination will make your home really classy and aesthetically pleasing both for you and for your guests.

Where do you live?
Think about this. If you rent, who knows how long you are going to stay there. You do not want to choose things that will only work for your current living situation. Try to select items that will work in any kitchen, or bedroom, or etc. It would be a waste to get all this great stuff and not be able to use it after a year. You should focus on things that you and your new spouse will be able to use for years to come. If you are lucky enough to be able to buy a house with your hubby or wife, it is a little bit easier. You know you plan on being there awhile, so you need to consider the abilities and/or limitations of your living space. Focus on things that will work in your home.
Consider the source
Consider the people that are going to be shopping from your registry list. Make sure to provide a wide range of pricing options for your friends and family. Not everyone can afford to show up at your wedding with a Dyson or a stand mixer, especially people that are involved in pre-wedding activities that include gift giving, such as bridesmaids. Also consider where people are coming from to attend your wedding. If you have guests that are traveling a long way, they have probably already spent a great deal of money just to be there on your big day, then they have to buy a gift too! It is fine to put high-end items on your registry. Your parents or grandparents might buy them, or a few people might go in together for them. Also, a lot of stores provide completion coupons for registrants. This means that after your wedding, the store will give you a considerable discount to purchase any items on your registry that were not bought. So don't feel like you can't put expensive items on there. Just make sure there are plenty of more affordable options for the number of guests on your list. The average price for items on your registry should be between $50 and $100.

These are just a few guidelines to go by when you create your registries. The most important thing is to have fun. Your engagement is an exciting time for you and the man or woman you love, enjoy it!