R E G I S T R Y & F I R S T H O M E
C H I C A G O W E D D I N G & P A R T Y R E S O U R C E
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Who wouldn’t feel like a kid in a candy store? Scanner gun in-hand, free to roam a store’s
aisles, capturing data on any and all items that you’d like to receive from your wedding
guests.
Establishing gift registries definitely is one of the perks of planning your wedding – and one
of the few times you don’t have to whip out your credit card – but you do have to put your
childlike excitement on hold long enough to ponder some grown-up considerations, or you
could risk ending up with a bread maker you’ve no intention of using, or even alienating some
of your guests.
Registries, whereby couples list items they’d like to receive as shower or wedding gifts are an
old custom. But while your mother and grandmother [registries used to be the concern only
of the bride] sat down with a consultant who helped them indicate specific choice from pre-
scribed categories like “good china” and “table linens,” you’ll probably select together, from a
virtual world of possibilities.
Because of technology, almost anything can be put on your registry. Choice is grand, unless
too much of it confuses. Establishing a registry is a catalyst for some serious planning about
where and how long you’ll live in a particular place.
If you know you’ll be staying in your home five years or more, that makes a difference – you
can add more expensive things you‘ll be keeping. For those with a short-term horizon, regis-
tering for essentials like sheets and towels makes sense.
If each partner has lived on their own for some time, they may have to agree to edit each oth-
er’s possessions, coming to agreement on what goes into their married home. Couples who
already own items should take photos and fabric swatches when they register at a store, and
the consultant may help you coordinate with what you have. Don’t forget room dimensions,
either, since you don’t want to be stuck with anything too big or small.
As long as you register for items in a wide range of prices, such as a couple of dozen items
under $25, and more under $50, $100, and so on, you’re giving your guests a great range of
options.
Many people often log onto a couple’s registry for gifts for other occasions, too. That’s another
reason you would want to have some lower priced items, since people are using registries for
housewarmings or birthdays.
ASKING POLITELY
It’s still proper etiquette to include a registry card only in shower invitations, never in wed-
ding invitations. However, more brides and grooms are sending “Save the Date” cards that
include the URL of their personal wedding website … where there’s a registry link.
Copyright © CTW Features
The Right Registry
Selecting potential gifts is fun, but it also requires planning on the couple’s part
By Marilyn Kennedy Melia, CTW Features
