BEST WEDDING REGISTRY TIPS

Gift Registry:

Utilizing a gift registry will help you keep track of your wedding gifts. It will also provide benefits to both you and your guests. By using a registry, gift givers can be assured that their money is being spent on something you want or need. Knowing what you exactly need or want will save your guests time and money when shopping for your gift. It will be helpful when you are trying to complete your china, silver, and crystal service as your registry will specify your pattern and

what pieces you still need. In addition, it helps to prevent duplicates and helps to avoid exchanges.

You should open a gift registry 6 to 9 months before your wedding to allow guests time to use your registry and make their purchases. Don’t register too early as some of your selections may go out of stock or may be discontinued.

You will first need to determine what items you need or want for starting or adding to your household. Also, determine what type of entertaining you may be doing and determine the colors you want. Look through magazines or window shop to gain some ideas. Using a checklist can help you make these decisions and can help keep you organized.

Registries:

Today there are several options to registering your gifts. You can either register at most fine china and department stores or you can register on-line via the Internet.

Store Registries:

Most fine china and department stores have free bridal registries. They keep a record of the items you choose as well as the colors, patterns, and quantities. They record your guests’ purchases so there are no duplications. They have this information on computers so your registry information can be obtained at any of their locations. You may want to register at more than one store if your list is diverse (linens, kitchen, hardware, equipment, etc). If so, it's best to register for different things at each store or divide the number of items needed between stores.

Make an appointment at a store preferably on a weeknight for a more relaxed experience. Meet with a sales associate who can help you coordinate your patterns and tailor the size of the list to the number of guest.

Write down the name of the store where each item is registered and mark the number of items you want. Register for items in several different price ranges. Smaller, less expensive items make good shower gifts and larger, more expensive gifts make good wedding gifts or help friends or relatives who want to purchase a gift together.

Registries on the Internet:

There are many Websites that offer gift registry such as Dillard’s, Target and Macys. There are also wedding portals that offer registry such as www.weddings.della.com. Using an on-line service is convenient to your guests as they can access your list without having to leave their homes. They can make their purchases and have the item (s) shipped with just a few clicks of the mouse.

Tips for registering on-line:

·                   Find out how they keep track of their registry. Will they keep a record of what gifts were actually purchased?

·                   Find out how long they will keep your registry list open. Etiquette states that your guests have up to a year to send a gift. Will your guests have up to a year to purchase a gift?

·                   Check out their policies and refunds. You want to make sure that exchanging or getting a refund for a duplicate item will not be a problem.

·                   Ask if they can arrange for your gifts to be shipped directly to a certain address. This will save your guests time by not having to reship the gift once they receive it. It can be wrapped and shipped directly by the registry company.

Use “Gift Registry Checklist” on the next page to mark the items you want to include as part of your registry and cross off any items you don’t want to include. Once your choices have been made, let both families and friends know so they can spread the word. Most friends and relatives of the bride’s mother or matron of honor ask where the bride and groom are registered. Its not improper for both the bride and groom to supply this information if asked directly. Update your checklist as you begin receiving gifts.

Item	Wants	Recv’d	Item	Wants	Recv’d
Formal Dinnerware			Formal Flatware
Store:_			Store:_
Phone:_			Phone:_
Pattern:			Pattern:
Manuf.:			Manuf.:
Dinner Plate	Q	Q	Dinner Fork	Q	Q
Luncheon Plate	Q	Q	Dessert/Salad Fork	Q	Q
Dessert/Salad Plate	Q	Q	Cocktail Fork	Q	Q
Bread/Butter Plate	Q	Q	Tablespoon	Q	Q
Buffet Plate	Q	Q	Soup Spoon	Q	Q
Cream Soup Bowl	Q	Q	Tea/Dessert Spoon	Q	Q
Soup/Cereal Bowl	Q	Q	Demitasse Spoon	Q	Q
Fruit Bowl	Q	Q	Ice Tea Spoon	Q	Q
Rim Soup Bowl	Q	Q	Dinner Knife	Q	Q
Coffee Cup/Saucer	Q	Q	Steak Knife	Q	Q
Demitasse/Saucer	Q	Q	Butter Spreader	Q	Q
Teacup/Saucer	Q	Q	Serving Spoon	Q	Q
Teapot	Q	Q	Gravy Ladle	Q	Q
Coffeepot	Q	Q	Serving Fork	Q	Q
Sugar/Creamer	Q	Q	Cold Meat Fork	Q	Q
Salt/Pepper Shakers	Q	Q	Cake Knife	Q	Q
Serving Bowls	Q	Q	Pie Server	Q	Q
Serving Platters	Q	Q	Salad Set	Q	Q
Gravy Boat	Q	Q	Carving Set	Q	Q
Egg Cup	Q	Q	Sugar Spoon/Tongs	Q	Q
Other:	Q	Q	Lemon Fork	Q	Q
			Butter Knife	Q	Q
			Silver Chest	Q	Q
			Other:	Q	Q
Informal Dinnerware			Informal Flatware
Store:_			Store:_
Phone:_			Phone:_
Pattern:			Pattern:
Manuf.:			Manuf.:
Dinner Plate	Q	Q	No. of Place Settings	Q	Q
Salad Plate	Q	Q	Serving Pieces	Q	Q
Bowls	Q	Q	Other:	Q	Q
Cups/Saucer	Q	Q
Mugs	Q	Q
Serving Pieces	Q	Q
Other:	Q	Q

Item	Wants	Recv’d	Item	Wants	Recv’d
Holoware/Servers			Kitchenware
Store:_			Store:_
Phone:_			Phone:_
Pattern:			Pattern:
Manuf.:			Manuf.:
Tea Service	Q	Q	Coffee Maker	Q	Q
Coffee Service	Q	Q	Coffee Grinder	Q	Q
Water Pitcher	Q	Q	Juicer	Q	Q
Champagne Cooler	Q	Q	Food Processor	Q	Q
Serving Bowls	Q	Q	Blender	Q	Q
Serving Platter	Q	Q	Mixer	Q	Q
Trays	Q	Q	Microwave	Q	Q
Bread Tray	Q	Q	Toaster/Toaster Oven	Q	Q
Service Plates	Q	Q	Electric Skillet	Q	Q
Salad Bowl	Q	Q	Deep Fryer	Q	Q
Compote	Q	Q	Slow Cooker	Q	Q
Tureen	Q	Q	Pressure Cooker	Q	Q
Chafing Dish	Q	Q	Microwave Cookware	Q	Q
Condiment Dish	Q	Q	Ovenware	Q	Q
Cream/Sugar Set	Q	Q	Cookware	Q	Q
Salt/Pepper Shakers	Q	Q	Bakeware	Q	Q
Dessert Dishes	Q	Q	Wok	Q	Q
Gravy Boat	Q	Q	Tea Kettle	Q	Q
Candlesticks	Q	Q	Hot Tray	Q	Q
Napkin Rings	Q	Q	Mixing Bowls	Q	Q
Other:	Q	Q	Storage Containers	Q	Q
			Kitchen Utensils	Q	Q
Crystal			Cutlery	Q	Q
Store:_			Cutting Board	Q	Q
Phone:_			Wooden Salad Bowl Set	Q	Q
Pattern:			Other:	Q	Q
Manuf.:
Goblets	Q	Q
White Wine	Q	Q
Claret	Q	Q
Champagne	Q	Q
Liqueur	Q	Q
Brandy	Q	Q
Cocktail	Q	Q
Ice Tea	Q	Q
Other:	Q	Q

Item	Wants	Recv’d	Item	Wants	Recv’d
Casual Glass/Barware			Linens
Store:_			Store:_
Phone:_			Phone:_
Pattern:			Manuf.:
Manuf.:			Formal Cloth/Napkins	Q	Q
Goblets	Q	Q	Informal Cloth/Napkins	Q	Q
Wine	Q	Q	Place Mats	Q	Q
Old-Fashioned	Q	Q	Cocktail Napkins	Q	Q
Highball	Q	Q	Potholders/Dish Towels	Q	Q
Iced Tea	Q	Q	Aprons	Q	Q
Beer Mugs	Q	Q	Comforter	Q	Q
Cocktail	Q	Q	Bedspread	Q	Q
Fruit Juice	Q	Q	Mattress Pad	Q	Q
Other:	Q	Q	Pillows	Q	Q
			Bed Sheets	Q	Q
Bar Needs	Q	Q	Blankets	Q	Q
Store:_	Q	Q	Electric Blanket	Q	Q
Phone:_	Q	Q	Beach Towels	Q	Q
Pattern:	Q	Q	Bath Towels/Face Cloths	Q	Q
Manuf.:	Q	Q	Guest Towels	Q	Q
Ice Bucket	Q	Q	Bath Mat	Q	Q
Wine Rack	Q	Q	Rug/Lid Cover	Q	Q
Ice Crusher	Q	Q	Accessories	Q	Q
Coasters	Q	Q	Others:	Q	Q
Jigger/Tools	Q	Q
Corkscrew/Wine Opener	Q	Q	Electronics
Punch Bowl Set	Q	Q	Store:_
Decanters	Q	Q	Phone:_
Others:	Q	Q	TV/Video	Q	Q
			Stereo	Q	Q
Decorative Items			Camera	Q	Q
Store:_			Clock Radio	Q	Q
Phone:_			Portable TV/Radio	Q	Q
Manuf.:			Calculator	Q	Q
Vases	Q	Q	Security Devices	Q	Q
Lamps	Q	Q	Telephone	Q	Q
Clocks	Q	Q	Other:	Q	Q
Pictures	Q	Q
Bookends	Q	Q	General
Area Rugs	Q	Q	Store:_
Baskets	Q	Q	Phone:_
TV Tables	Q	Q	Luggage	Q	Q
Accessories	Q	Q	Exercise/Sporting Equip	Q	Q
Other:	Q	Q	Barbecue	Q	Q
			Patio Furniture	Q	Q
			Picnic Basket	Q	Q
			Tools	Q	Q
			Hobbies/Games	Q	Q