Wedding Registry Etiquette

Here are a few tips and mistakes to avoid.

When should we register?

It's best to start your registry the moment you get engaged! Friends and family often want to start showering you with gifts as soon as the announcement is made.

Should we still register if we are having a destination wedding?

Absolutely! People always want to give gifts for a wedding. Just remember that your guests will be spending money just to get to the wedding, so you should be sure to include a good selection of affordable items. Additionally, some friends and family won't be able to make it to the wedding, but may still want to get you a gift.

What is the best way to tell our friends and family how to find our registry?

There are a few ways you can tell everyone about your wedding registry. The best way is simply spreading the word - word of mouth will get you a long way. You also want to include your registries on your wedding website. Be sure to include links to these registries to make it easy for your guest to find them.

While it's completely acceptable to include your wedding website on your wedding invitation, it is not acceptable to include the registry on the invitation. You do not want to set the expectation of giving a gift.

How many gifts should we register for?

Don't go overboard, but make sure have enough items so that your guests will have options. A good rule of thumb is to have more items than people you will be inviting, some people suggest having as many as twice as many items as people.

Also, make sure to include items in a wide price range. It's a good idea to have smaller, affordable items, as well as large, higher end requests. This gives the gift giver the choice of what to give that fits their own budget!

Is it ok to ask for money?

In general, it is not acceptable to ask for money. However, many newlyweds are planning for the future and bigger purchases that will require saving up. It has become common to set up gift funds for future purchases, such as buying a home or a honey moon fund. These specific gift funds are more acceptable in registries.

Don't forget to send out Thank You cards!

And don't wait longer than 2 weeks to send! Thank everyone for their gift, no matter how large or small. It is also in good taste to thank your guest for joining and simply being a part of your big day - even if they did not give you a gift. The bottom line: thank everyone involved - no matter what.