Top 11 Wedding Registry Mistakes

Setting up a wedding registry can feel like the best shopping spree you’ve ever had, and even better, you don’t have to pay for anything! However, creating a successful wedding registry takes a bit of thought and maintenance, and couples often look back and wish they had done things differently.

Here are some common registry etiquette mistakes you can easily avoid.

Too long to register

Create a wedding registry within weeks of your engagement. “Oh, but I don’t want to sound greedy,” you may be thinking. Remember that creating a registry is really helping your guests. How many times have you struggled to choose a birthday gift or an anniversary gift for a loved one? A registry takes the guesswork out of gift-giving – your friends and family won’t have to wonder if you’ll like your gift. And your loved ones will want to start shopping now. You will likely start receiving engagement gifts soon after the proposal, so you could also orient your guests as soon as possible.

Doesn’t look for retailers

Take the time to look at the registration programs of the different retailers. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? What are your return policies? Are there discounts for completing the registration? How easy to use is your website? Are there other features or benefits that appeal to you? Don’t sign up somewhere because that’s where all your friends sign up – do your research and find the retailers that best suit you and your guests’ needs.

Register only in one place

Sure, it can be easy to register with just one store, but it’s not the most convenient for your guests. We recommend that you check into two or three different stores to offer options to guests. Remember that some of your guests may want to shop for your guests in person (rather than online) and registering for more than one retailer will provide your guests with options for the store they visit. And don’t forget about alternate registrations. And on that note …

Not considering alternative records …

When it comes time to register, many couples forget about other registration options, including honeymoon, cash, and experience records. These types of records are ideal for couples who already have a lot of household items.

… or just have an alternate record

If you decide to create an alternate record, great! But remember that some of your guests will want to purchase a tangible gift for you, no matter how much you gently nudge them into their alternate register. This is particularly true if you are having a wedding party where guests traditionally bring gifts. So be sure to sign up for some gifts at a store as well, at least for Great-Aunt Esther’s sake.

Not working together

While we wholeheartedly recommend delegating wedding-related duties when possible, registering for gifts is something you and your future spouse should work on together. Try visiting the retailers together and selecting the gifts as a team. Sure, you may have to compromise, but the end result is a house full of items that both you and your partner truly love.

Sign up for too few items

Again, all that “but I don’t want to sound greedy.” Yes, we know, but registering to receive lots of gifts will give your guests many options, which they will really appreciate. We recommend that you double the number of guests and register to receive as many or more gifts. You can always return gifts at a later date if you feel like you haven’t received the items you need.

Don’t mix price points

Your guests will likely have different budgets, so be sure to sign up for gifts at different prices, from cheap items (great for shower favors!) To larger, more expensive gifts, and a good number of items somewhere in the world. the middle. Yes, it’s even okay to sign up for some super expensive gifts; guests can enter as a group to purchase them. However, in most cases, try to break up your gifts into loose, less expensive items (for example, signing up for individual pots and pans instead of a super expensive set) when possible, as they will be easier to do. buy for guests.

Think in the present

You might think signing up for 12 spots seems completely ridiculous, but five years from now, when you host Thanksgiving for 12 people at your house, you’ll be glad you did. Try to imagine your lifestyle five, ten, or twenty years from now; you may be entertaining a lot more than you currently do. Sign up for more items, not less, to avoid having to purchase additional items (which may be discontinued!) Within a few years.

Placing registration information on printed invitations

Do not print your registration information on any invitation that comes from you or your family members, such as your royal wedding invitation. This makes it appear that you are directly asking for gifts such as the price of admission to your wedding, which is viewed as rude. A good way to avoid this is to put your registration information on your wedding website, and then direct your guests to your site.

You don’t check your registration often enough

Once you create your wedding registry, your work is far from done. You’ll want to visit your registry every few weeks or so, just to make sure there are still enough gifts for your guests to choose from, and to make any necessary adjustments (for example, if your aunt buys you a cake cutting set that’s off-record, you can remove the one on your record to avoid receiving two). If you’re not diligent in updating your registry, you will find yourself returning more gifts when all is said and done.

Postpone your thank you notes

We know that writing thank you notes can be a hassle. But avoiding them can be an even bigger pain. You could find yourself coming back from your honeymoon with a bunch of notes to write, and that’s not a good way to start a married life. For gifts received before your wedding, you have two to three weeks to write your thank you notes, and after the wedding, you have about two to three months, but try not to wait that long. Make sure you have enough stationery and postage to avoid further shipping delays.