17 Tips For Building The Perfect Wedding Registry

You said yes! Now what? Planning a wedding can be a tedious process, and we want to help you out! You don't want to go into the gift registry unprepared, so take a look at these quick and easy tips put together by married couples who don't want you to make the same mistakes they did.

Early Birds

People enjoy buying gifts for engagement parties and showers, so register early so that these early shoppers will be able to get you the items you actually want. Registering early is not taboo, but rather makes you look prepared, so registering soon after your engagement is not necessarily a bad idea.

Craft A Plan

You and your future spouse are not just planning for a wedding, but a marriage. Go in with a plan so that you ensure that you will both be happy with your choices five and ten years down the road.

Show ‘em What You’re Working With

Take an inventory of what each of you already have and plan to keep. There is no point in registering for things you already have that you don’t need to replace. Unless you are planning on becoming a barista, there is no need to have three espresso machines after all.

Do It Together

Many men–and some women for that matter–will hate reading this because they don’t want to spend hours window shopping for the house, but just as many will appreciate being included in the process because these will be the items that are used for years to come. No one is fits a specific mold, so make sure you talk about it as a couple so that both individual’s ideas are taken into account. Even if you don’t go together, talk about the plan with each other so that you are both happy with the results. If you do go together, make a fun day of it!

Look For Perks

Some stores have completion programs that will allow you purchase items from your registry after the wedding for a discounted amount such as 5-15% off. These are the stores you want to register with.

Create Registries At Multiple Stores

Not everyone shops at the same stores, so creating registries at multiple stores is a good idea. Having too many registries can be complicated for the buyer, so 2-4 is generally a good rule of thumb, with an assortment of price ranges incorporated into your choices.

Register For Every Item On All Registries

Many sites and blogs will tell you to pick and choose what you register for at each location: don’t. Even with a registry, you are bound to have returns to make, so you might as well give people as many options on each registry as possible. If you have to make a few additional returns because you received multiples of the same item from different stores, then just return the ones you cannot use and exchange it for something else on your list.

Slow and Steady

Take your time. Rushing will leave you with holes in your registry that will be hard to catch later on. Go in with a plan, be strategic, and do it right the first time. You can always make changes later, but make sure you have something good to work from later on.

Know Your Guests

Regardless of who you are, you are likely going to have a wide variety of guests looking to purchase items. Older guests will want to get you more traditional gift items, while close friends may choose to get you more practical or fun items. Make sure your registry caters to each of your guests so that you don’t wind up with something you don’t want and can’t return.

Don’t Be Afraid To Include Pricey Items

You will have some guests that are financially able and excited to bless you with a big ticket item, or a group may choose to go in on a large item together, so make sure you have options for them to choose from. Your registry is your wish-list, so it is not presumptuous to include high-ticket items. On the flip side, many of your guests will be on strict budgets, so make sure you have plenty of affordable necessities on the list as well so that they can bless you with something that you want and they can actually afford.

Be Extensive

Your guests will appreciate the options you provide them if your registry has plenty of variety. Most gifts are purchased either two weeks before or after the wedding, so don’t be afraid to go back and add additional items close to the big day if items are disappearing quickly.

Make Sure You LIKE What You Register For

Don’t fall into the trap of registering for trendy items that you love now, but will lose interest in fairly quickly. The amount of flatware, dinnerware, and stemware choices will likely surprise you, so make sure you choose one that you won’t mind using ten years from now.

Register For Things You Actually Want

It’s ok to register for fun items you will actually use. If you enjoy game nights, include a variety of board games or video games you don’t own, but would like to. If you are outdoorsy, register for camping equipment. Your guests want to get you something, and people like to think you enjoy what they got you.

Watch Out For Seasonal Items If You Register Early

If you register a year before the big day, there is a good chance that some of the items will be discontinued by the time the wedding arrives. It is fine to register for seasonal items as long as you remember to remove them later on if they are not purchased early and to update it with more current items if needed. This will make your registry easier for your guests to navigate.

Don’t Forget Storage Containers

Many gifts will need to be stored for special events. Unless you want your closets and shelves to be littered with individual items, consider registering for storage containers. These can be pricey if you are purchasing them all at once, so allowing your guests to get a few for you will help you out in the long run.

Lots of Place Settings

Most people register for 6-8 place settings. If you have a large guest list and are running out of ideas for your registry, consider boosting this number to 12. This will allow for a growing family and will still provide additional settings for dinner parties.

Don’t Forget Things That You May Want Some Day…But Not Now

Your tastes will likely change over the years. You may not be excited about fine china now, but one day you may wish you had a set to pull out to impress others. Do your best to get help from those who have been married for a few years to ensure your registry will take care of all of your needs, both now and in the future.