MAIN Entertaining Wedding Bridal Registries

With all that brides and grooms have to do in planning their big day — this, finally, is the fun part! ...And the best news is that signing up with a bridal registry has never been easier.

Today, many of the top wedding gift registries are now fully "wired". This means that all the engaged couple have to do is complete a free sign-up form, pick the gifts they want, and let wedding guests do the rest.

The result? A wedding gift is bought and paid for online in minutes - and avoids most of the hassle of duplicate gifts and returns. Many services even provide gift wrapping and a message at no extra charge.

[Note to gift givers: even the most well-known stores "drop the ball" occasionally, so the experts advise allowing enough shopping time before the wedding date to ensure against any last-minute glitches or possible returns.]

What to register for...

Keep the wedding gift wish list to practical proportions like housekeeping items, dishes and cookware, but think about adding a few over-the-top items as well.

Pick out at least one or two luxurious items that you've always wanted, or something that makes you feel special.

Why not? Hey! It's your wedding day!

Wedding Gift Registry Timeline...

Many couples begin thinking about registering with at least one store between a year to six months before the wedding.

If you are planning an engagement party before that, you may want to make sure that you're registered in case the guests want to start gifting you at the celebration At least six months before the wedding make sure you've register with at least one shop.

If you choice is not an online registry, make sure that it is accessible to your friends and family who live at a distance. Check you registry two to three months before the wedding to make certain that there are still plenty of gift options — in all price ranges — and if there aren't, add a few items to the registry.

About a month before the wedding you can start wring thank you notes for your show gifts and early wedding gifts. It will make sending the thank you notes after the wedding much easier. Wedding registries often include who purchased the gift and you'll want to make sure any items already received are not still on the registry - so you'll be checking the registry as you write the thank yous.

While you're updating the registry to eliminate duplicate gifting, check one last time to make sure you still have gift ideas in all price ranges and add any last minute items you've thought of.

Bridal registry etiquette

Although it is becoming more common, try not to include your registry information with your wedding invitation. It really is considered tacky, at best. It isn't considered polite to use your wedding invitation to suggest that your guests provide a gift — even if you know everyone will be giving one.

One way to get around this is to include the bridal registry information with your wedding shower invitation. Since the shower is clearly a gifting event, it is not out of line to let people know where you've registered.

In most cases, the shower and wedding lists will overlap. Simply tell all those people who are not being invited to the wedding shower(s) — or else anyone who asks — where you are registered and let them spread the word.

Bridal registries online

Since most of the bigger bridal registries are online now, shopping for the perfect wedding gift has never been easier. There are also specialized web sites that bring many stores together to offer a wider range of products. Wedding registries are international, but keep shipping costs in mind. Buying from a shop in Australia can be very costly if you are shipping to Kansas, so use registries that are geographically close to you. Your guests can order from a registry no matter how far away they live... and have it delivered to you with local delivery charges.

Your guests don't need to buy a gift that's on the registry at the store you have chosen. They can still shop around for better prices. The only drawback to that is that gifts will remain on the registry and there will be a possibility of duplicate gifting. Make sure to update your registry to make sure that doesn't happen.

When you use an online bridal registry have the list under both the bride and groom's names. If you have a common last name, add a middle initial or a nickname to make finding your wedding details easier for anyone shopping for a present for you.

Elsewhere around the Web, check out top resources and how to's for getting the best out of online gift buying services, along with direct links to popular department store bridal and specialty gift registries.

More good news? You'll have at least one more wedding detail checked off your list ...

Top Ten Registry Do's and Don'ts - Expert guide from The Knot, with planning advice, what not to register for, guidelines on price ranges, and related tips.

Bridal Registry Etiquette - From The Big Day.com, with advice on when to register, choosing gifts, making the announcement, with a related feature on different ways to create your gift list.

Brides.com - Registry - A guide featuring how to register, ideas on what to register for including essential must-haves, and a list of the top online bridal registries with related resources.

Wedding Planning & Registry Checklists - Guide to help with decision making in creating your registry with a list of items under categories such as table & cookware, outdoor & recreation, bath & bedroom and home furnishings.

Wedding Registries Worldwidce

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