Bridal Registries

Making Wedding Gift
Giving Easy
         by Loreen Berlin

Once your wedding invitations have reached their destination, invited guests, friends, and relatives will begin asking what gift to buy.

Selecting a Bridal Registry can make it easier for your guests, and you. Simply record gift preferences at a favorite merchant, let your friends and family know where, and tell them how the Gift Registry makes it easy to select a gift that will fit perfectly into your new home.

Make Your Bridal Registry Process
A Rewarding Experience.

So that you won't feel overwhelmed or rushed in making your selections, plan two to three separate visits, with your fiance', to look carefully through each of the three major departments; china and crystal, housewares, and domestics.

Call the store ahead of time to make an appointment with a Bridal Registry Consultant. Some stores may say that it's not necessary to have an appointment, however without an appointment, you may find yourself waiting to talk one-on-one with a consultant. Be persistent in asking for a time that is set aside for you and your fiance.

Upon arrival, You'll be given a registry form requesting the names the bride, groom, mother and father, along with addresses, phone numbers, a gift mailing address, and additional information you may want to have appear on the registry such as your shower date(s).

With an account set up, begin an initial walk through to preview items, patterns, and pricing. In an organized manner, narrow the list to those items matching the quality and patterns you wish to decorate your new home. Work closely with the registry consultants to finalize the list. They may have knowledge of additional products, other color assortments, or alternatives available. They are trained to organize and coordinate your selections to ease the process.

When considering bridal registries don't forget to consider travel agents for the perfect honeymoon package, or hardware stores for tools and lumber for fixing up your new home. These often provide a unique opportunity for a group gift from friends, co-workers, or family for those larger ticket items—perhaps a week in Barbados, or a needed lawn mower.

Many larger stores and national chains offer Bridal Registries that are networked nationwide for consistency and convenience. So now, out-of-town guests can choose items online, or within their local store, but still select from your preferences.

The store's 800 #'s will be answered by an operator that will ask you for your zip code and then search for a store within 50 miles of your home. If one is not located within that distance, they will search for a store within 80 miles. Again, be persistent about a store location and know the cities close to you that are not in your particular zip code.

Lessons Learned and Items Often Overlooked:

Begin your bridal registry approximately four to six months in advance of your wedding.

For security reasons, refrain from placing your address and date on a national bridal registry.

When sending your bridal shower invitations, you may choose to include a registry card that will list where you have registered for gifts.

When you register at a gift registry, include your fiance in the process, so you can make your selections together, to reflect both of your tastes.

If you're in a quandary as to how to get started, you may want to attend one of the ever popular Bridal Shows or Expos. BrideWorld.com hosts events where you can meet with these and dozens upon dozens of other wedding professionals face-to-face, not to mention an exciting fashion show complete with wedding wear for everyone in the wedding.