Personal Items On Wedding Registries: What's Acceptable?

Wedding registries are a curated list of presents an engaged couple creates to make the gifting experience easier for their guests. Generally, these lists are tied to both in-store and virtual retailers and should include a mix of gifts at different price points. While traditional wedding registry items include things like kitchen appliances, tableware, bed and bath linens, and home decor, couples can also register for their honeymoon, gift cards, cash funds, and charity donations.

It is generally advised to avoid adding personal items like clothes, jewelry, beauty products, or personal electronics to a wedding registry. However, some people believe that as long as both partners agree, there is no harm in adding such items. It is also suggested to avoid certain home maintenance goods, such as cleaning supplies and batteries, and items that may be inappropriate to open in front of family, such as bedroom intimates.

Personal items vs. couple items

Wedding registries are curated lists of presents an engaged couple creates to make the gifting experience easier for their guests. Generally, these lists are tied to both in-store and virtual retailers and should include a mix of gifts at different price points.

When it comes to traditional wedding registry items, things like kitchen appliances, tableware, bed and bath linens, and home decor are all tried-and-true gift ideas. These items are typically considered shared items that both members of the couple will use.

However, there is some debate about whether personal items should be included on a wedding registry. Some people argue that personal items such as clothing, jewelry, beauty products, or personal electronics should be left off the list. The reasoning is that if it can't be enjoyed by both spouses, it shouldn't be included.

On the other hand, others believe that it is acceptable to include a small number of personal items, especially if the couple already has many shared items or lives together. Some examples of personal items that have been included on registries are video games, skincare products, and makeup.

To strike a balance, some couples choose to include items related to shared hobbies or experiences they can enjoy together, such as camping equipment, sporting equipment, or honeymoon experiences.

Ultimately, the decision of what to include on a wedding registry is a personal one, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It is essential to consider the couple's dynamic, relationship, and needs when creating the registry.

Tips for Creating a Wedding Registry

• Start early: It is recommended to set up a registry shortly after getting engaged so that guests can start gifting if they wish to.
• Take inventory: Prioritize items that you actually need, and consider what you already have and what you would like to add to your shared home.
• Include a range of price points: Offer a variety of gift options to accommodate different budgets.
• Don't forget the fine print: Read the terms and conditions of the registry sites, including return policies, shipping options, and any incentive programs.
• Universal registry: Consider using a universal registry that allows you to add items from multiple retailers in one place, making it easier for you and your guests.
• Regular updates: Maintain your registry throughout your engagement, adding new items as others are purchased.
• Share appropriately: Share your registry through your wedding website, but avoid including registry information on formal wedding invitations.

Honeymoon funds

Advantages of Honeymoon Funds

Creating a Honeymoon Registry

When creating a honeymoon registry, it is essential to choose a reputable website or platform that offers this service. Some popular options include The Knot Honeymoon Fund, Traveler's Joy, Honeyfund, and Honeymoon Wishes, each with its own unique features and fee structures. These platforms allow couples to create personalized pages, add their desired experiences or funds, and share them with their guests through their wedding website or social media.

Personalizing Your Honeymoon Fund

To make your honeymoon fund more engaging and personalized, consider creating specific funds for different experiences. For example, you can include options such as "Breakfast on our honeymoon - $25," "Private boat tour - $300," or "Drinks on our honeymoon - $15." This approach allows guests to feel more connected to your trip and gives them a sense of contributing to a specific aspect of your honeymoon.

Etiquette and Best Practices

When it comes to honeymoon funds, it is important to follow certain etiquette guidelines. Ensure that you provide a range of price points to accommodate different budgets. It is also advisable to combine your honeymoon fund with traditional gift ideas, as some guests may prefer to give physical presents. Additionally, be transparent about how the funds will be used, and be sure to send thoughtful thank-you notes to express your gratitude for their contributions.

Home funds

While it was once considered poor etiquette to ask for money as a wedding gift, this is no longer the case. Couples today are increasingly adding cash funds to their wedding registries, and home funds are one of the most popular types of cash funds.

A home fund on your wedding registry can help you and your partner achieve your dream of buying, renovating, or furnishing a home. It can be used for a down payment on a new home, or for room renovations and design upgrades.

• Create a universal registry: Use a platform like The Knot that allows you to add cash funds and gifts from various retailers all in one place. This makes it easy for your guests to shop and for you to keep track of what has been purchased.
• Personalize your fund: Add a brief description of how you'll use the money. For example, "We've been living in the same apartment for years, so it's time to upgrade! We greatly appreciate your generosity in helping fund a down payment on our dream home."
• Provide a range of options: In addition to your home fund, register for some physical items and gift cards. This gives your guests a variety of options at different price points.
• Start early: Set up your registry soon after you get engaged. This allows guests who want to give a gift right away to do so, and it gives you time to add to your registry as items are purchased.
• Update regularly: Revisit your registry often and add new gift selections as items are bought. This gives all your guests a range of options, no matter when they start shopping.
• Be mindful of the number of items: As a general rule, have more items on your registry than guests at your wedding. This will give your guests plenty of options and accommodate those who buy multiple gifts or want to splurge on a bigger item.
• Share your registry on your wedding website: It is not considered proper etiquette to include registry information on formal wedding invitations. Instead, share your wedding website, which should have a link to your registry.
• Don't forget to say thank you: Express your gratitude for any gifts received with a timely thank-you note. For gifts received before the wedding, send thank-you cards within two weeks. For gifts received on or after the wedding day, send a thank-you note within three months.

Gift cards

Asking for gift cards as part of a wedding registry is becoming increasingly common. However, it is important to remember that it is not the traditional option and some guests may still prefer to give physical gifts.

Online registries are a great way to organise your gift-giving and tactfully ask for gift cards. You can direct your guests to your registry via your wedding website, but it is not considered good etiquette to include registry information on your invitations.

If you are going to ask for gift cards, it is a good idea to also include some physical gifts on your registry for those guests who prefer to give traditional presents. It is also recommended that you do not ask for gift cards at your bridal shower, as unwrapping presents is often a big part of the event.

When it comes to choosing which gift cards to ask for, personalisation is key. You could ask for gift cards for home improvement stores, or for online retailers such as Amazon. You could also ask for gift cards for specific shops, such as Barnes & Noble or Sephora, but be aware that you may end up with cards for shops you won't use. A safer option may be to ask for prepaid Visa gift cards, which can be used anywhere.

Some people may still consider asking for gift cards to be rude, but if you are worried about receiving gifts you don't need, it can be a good option.

Charity donations

Asking for charity donations instead of wedding gifts is a great way to give back to your community and causes close to your heart. Here are some tips on how to create a charitable wedding registry:

Benefits of Charity Registries

Charity registries are a wonderful way to support a meaningful organization while also receiving gifts from your guests. As Beth Helmstetter, founder of The Good Beginning, explains, "the beauty of a charity registry...is it isn't an all-or-nothing decision." You can create both a traditional registry and a charitable one, giving your guests options. This way, you can stock your newlywed home with desired items while also making a positive impact.

How to Choose a Charity

The most successful registries align with organizations that are meaningful to the couple. For example, if a parent had fought heart disease, you might consider organizations that support this cause. You could also choose a charity related to a passion or hobby you share.

Websites for Charity Registries

There are several websites that make setting up a charity registry simple. The Good Beginning is an online registry that allows couples to research, choose, and embed a link requesting donations for a variety of local, national, and international charities. Websites like Joy and Zola also offer the ability to set up a donation fund.

Communicating Your Request to Guests

When asking for charity donations, it's important to be thoughtful and express why the nonprofit means so much to you and your partner. Remember that guests are not required to donate, so be sure to communicate your appreciation for any contribution they can give. You can include your request on your wedding website or even in your invitations.

Setting Up a Charity Wedding Registry

To create a charity wedding registry, you can use a website such as The Knot or MyRegistry.com. The Knot offers two options: creating a GoFundMe fundraiser or adding a custom wedding cash fund to your registry. With a GoFundMe fundraiser, you can choose a certified charity to support, and donations will be automatically sent to that organization. With a custom wedding cash fund, donations will go to your bank account, and you can then donate the money to the charity of your choice. MyRegistry.com also allows you to set up a free wedding registry with a direct link to the charity's donation page.

By following these steps, you can create a charity wedding registry that reflects your values and gives back to a meaningful cause.

Frequently asked questions