Almost every newly married couple would love to receive a large supply of wedding gifts that the couple will be able to use for years. Typically, guests gave wedding gifts to couples so that the couples would be able to start out on a decent financial footing. The wedding gifts were designed as a show of support from family, friends, and the community.
Gift lists weren't common a few years ago, but wedding etiquette is changing all the time. Nowadays, while it's certainly not compulsory, most couples do have a list. The main advantage is that you avoid 'ten toaster syndrome', in other words, you don't get given lots of the same thing. Lists also give your guests the confidence to know that they're buying you something you really want, rather than taking a chance and splashing out on something you'll hate.
Obviously, no wedding guest is obliged to buy a present at all, list or no list - but most do, so why not give them the opportunity to get the right thing?
It's becoming increasingly acceptable to send out gift lists with the invites, if only to avoid circulating lots of bits of paper, but some people don't feel comfortable with it. Traditionally, guests contact the bride's mother for information about the list, but this can be a bit of a pain added to the one thousand-and-one other things you and mum have to organise.
A gift registry can be utilized for the wedding and shower alike, not only for the bride but also for the groom.
Today, gift giving at weddings has become even more complex, particularly with the practice of having registries. Registries are lists of gifts that the couple would like their guests to purchase for them.
The first thing to look at when deciding where to register is the type of items that a couple would like to obtain as gifts. The following is a list of possible places to register when you are planning your wedding: Department Stores, Speciality Stores or Wedding Stores.
Remember, you do not have to register all in one place. It is now typical to register at two or three different places. This gives your guests a chance to purchase items from a place near them. It also helps to provide them with options.
Whatever store that you choose, you will want to make sure that they have the technology in place to create, maintain, and update a registry and that your guests will be able to see the quantities you request in real time as they are updated. Internet enabled stores help with this process enabling your guests to see the items that they want to view anywhere.
Department Stores vs Online Stores
Many brides no longer register their gift registries with department stores - they register them with online websites. The advantages to registering with online sites are:
■ Prices are clearly marked so that guests can quickly see what is in their price range.
■ Purchasing a gift online is fast and convenient. There is usually a shopping cart system which allows the guest to purchase the gifts online with a credit card.
■ Online gift lists are accurate and up-to-date. Gift lists at department stores are often inaccurate because guests buy from different stores and the lists are manually updated resulting in errors.
■ There are a wide variety of gifts for the bride and groom to choose from. Online registries usually have everything from cutlery and crockery to garden furniture.
■ Everything is in writing. If you are promised a discount, make sure you get it in writing.
■ Gifts are mailed to you. This saves the guests from going to the shop to purchase the gift, waiting for the shop assistant to print out the gift list and then standing in the queue to buy the gift. It also saves your guest time because they don't have to wrap the present and it saves the guest the hassle of taking it with them on your wedding day. It also saves you having to arrange for someone to take your gifts to the reception.