2011-11-22 06:00:00 by SMARTBRIDE
Bride-To-Be: Tips to Create Your Wedding Registry
Hello again fellow future brides!
If you're like me, you have a hard time coming up with a wish list to give family for Christmas and your birthday.
Well, weddings pretty much require a wish list too, but on a much larger scale – your wedding registry!
Photos from: Keurig.com and HomeOutfitters.com
Sure, they can be complicated, since it's a wish list you have to put together with your future spouse, possibly to create a home you don't even live in yet!
For Adam and I, beginning the registry was something we were actually pretty hesitant to do. We've both seen a few registries that look like they're overloaded with items, and neither of us wanted to appear greedy to friends and family. But once we got started, we realized that creating a registry doesn't mean we have to put everything in the store on the list, or go for the most expensive of everything.
Your registry is a chance to get those things you might have a hard time rationalizing buying for yourselves – a nice coffee maker, or bar glasses for example. With that in mind, here are our tips to create your own wedding registry.
Tips to Create Your Own Wedding Registry
- Register Together: Some couples do the registry separately – the bride and groom each add items they like. Adam and I are making sure to do everything together so we know what everything on the list is. But at the same time...
- Be Open Minded: Make sure to give in and let him add those tools, or an entertainment set, and I'm sure he will be willing to make a few concessions as well!
- Variety is the Spice of Life: Have a variety of not just items, but prices too – you don't want your guests (who are already travelling, giving you a shower gift, etc) to feel obligated to spend more than they can afford.
- Choose Items that Match Your Lifestyle: Don't think you will ever use things like fine china, or a sewing machine? Don't worry about putting it on the list, just because it's traditional. Your registry is supposed to reflect you as a couple!
- Register at Different Stores: This is just another way to give yourself and your wedding guests more options. For example, if you’re both keen outdoors people, registering an a sporting goods store might be fun! Or, if music is your passion, why not register for an awesome stereo system?
- Have Fun: This is the one time in life you'll get to create a wish list of anything you really, really want.
- Go For Experiences: Remember, you don’t always have to register for "stuff". There are lots of ways to register for experiences instead! Websites such as WeddingRepublic.com are "cash registries", where you can add items including your honeymoon and a new house for your guests to contribute to instead of a toaster. While we haven't actually added anything to this site yet, we have every intention of creating an "experiences" registry to have something a little different.
Happy scanning! Be sure to check back in January for some more ideas from a soon-to-be-bride.
Andrea
