One of the most traditional and important elements of your wedding prep is getting registered. Lately, more and more couples are choosing to forgo this step and assume that it is a signal for everyone to bring monetary gifts instead. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work out. Some family members would rather present you with an actual item, or they prefer to stay away from giving cash or writing a check and they have every right to do so. Creating a registry is a fun outing for you and your significant other, and a great excuse to register for some of those things you would never buy for yourself! Here are a few reasons why, as a newlywed and wedding planner, I think getting registered is an important step on the road to wedded bliss.
Start Fresh
If you haven’t lived together before the wedding, getting registered is a perfect way to get exactly what you both need and want for your new place. The bonus of using a registry is that your guests can check out what you want and know that they will be helping you to start a new life in your happy home with fun new gadgets and fluffy new towels. Without a registry, if your Uncle Jim wants to bring you a gift, you may end up with a clay ashtray or a coffee thermos (yes, these are both gifts that I have heard of people receiving). Adding up all the costs of new furniture, kitchen tools on top of everything else you need to furnish your home, getting registered is a great way to ensure you won’t be using tin foil as a baking sheet when you move in!
Upgrade the old
If you and your partner shared a space before the big day, there are still a few great reasons for making the trip to the local department store to get registered. The biggest likelihood is that when you first moved in together you were short on funds and most of your towels, utensils, etc. were purchased at the dollar store. Maybe you both amalgamated your belongings and ended up with a mash of mismatched things from your respective bachelor/bachelorette pads. Either way, getting registered is a great way to get some higher quality home goods for your place that will last you well into your married years.
Higher budget items
Another added benefit of getting registered is the ability to ask for some big ticket items without judgement or guilt. Maybe that fancy vacuum caught your eye, or a really nice set of pots and pans. These are some of the items that you maybe couldn’t justify in the beginning, yet it is absolutely okay to put those items on your list. This allows guests, and your bridal party the option to pool together and get you one of the higher priced items. Putting the big budget gifts on your registry is a great option for a big family, or someone who knows that the quality products are sure to bring you years of enjoyment.
Getting registered early is important; engagement parties, bridal showers, and any other parties leading up to the wedding are all times when a registry could come in handy. This is one of the only times in your life when it is appropriate to give people a very specific and detailed list of the gifts you want! Make sure that you keep it updated, keep on top of it, and remember: ‘They invented gift receipts for a reason!’