Is your wedding on the horizon or do you have one coming up on your social calendar?

The gift registry is a great way of handling the gift-giving aspect of a wedding. Good news Guests! You do not have to think too hard about what to give the intending couple. Also, dear couple, you do not have to live with the fear of receiving duplicates of gifts that you will never use or you already have. This article aims to guide you along ‘ideas and means’ of setting up a gift registry.

What is a Gift Registry?

A Gift Registry is basically a gift wish list from the wedding couple. Handing out a wish list to family and friends may be uncomfortable so this is where the Gift Registry comes into play. The wish list is taken to a chosen retail store which stocks most or all of the gift items. The retailer will maintain the wish list for the couple and will usually try to make sure most of the registered items are in stock for purchase by the guests. Thus, the Gift Registry is created. Easy, right?

The couple now informs their guests of the Gift Registry. Usually a note card is put with the Wedding Invitation cards informing the guests that their Gift Registry is available at the chosen retail store. The information can also be sent by other means such as email, online wedding website and other social networking applications.

Now, all that is left is for the guests to go to the store and choose a gift out of the registered items. If the store has online shopping, this makes it easier for the guests to just click and buy. The retail store will make sure an item already purchased by one guest is removed from the list so there are no duplicates. Retailers will often not divulge who has purchased the registered items. The couple can also choose not to be informed who purchased what so they can be surprised on their wedding day.

Gift Registry Tips for the Couple!
•    You should try and register a minimum of six months before your wedding day. Registering early will give your guests time to purchase the gifts and you could chip in some pre-wedding gifts, such as bridal shower gifts, too. Also, you reduce the risk of the retail store running out of stock on your wish list items.

•    There is no maximum number of items to add to your Gift Registry. You will need to add several gifts per invited guest to give a wide variety of items to pick from. Do not limit yourself, this is your chance to get everything you need!

•    Register for useful items you plan to buy in the near future anyway. Most registries include all the items you will need to stock your home after the wedding. Some items include: bed linens, bath accessories, dinner plate sets, flatware and cookware, home appliances, luggage and home furniture.

•    Be sure to select from a wide price range of gifts to accommodate all your wedding guests’ varying budgets. Some guests will prefer to purchase several lower priced items. Place some higher priced gifts for those guests who will buy a gift as a group.

•    Several retail stores in Nigeria now offer the Gift Registry facility for intending couples. Make enquiries at your favourite retail store, it does not hurt to ask. Try and choose a store that stocks most of the items on your wish list so guests have only one place to visit to purchase your wedding gift.

So our namywedding.com intending couples, would you consider having a Gift Registry? As a guest, would it make it easier for you to get a gift when a Gift Registry is available?

Please share your thoughts with us in the comments box.

Référence : EzineArticles.com