Wedding Invitation Etiquette: Sharing Registry Information

Wedding invitation etiquette is a confusing scenario to navigate. One of the most common questions asked by couples is whether or not to include registry information on their wedding invitations. The short answer is no. Adding registry details to a wedding invitation can be interpreted as the couple expecting a gift from their guests, which is not the vibe a couple wants to give off. So, what are some tactful ways of letting guests know about a registry?

Wedding invitation etiquette

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you're following proper etiquette. Here are some detailed instructions to help you navigate this process:

Do:

• Include your wedding website on your invitation: It is appropriate to include your wedding website on your invitation, as this is where guests can find all the necessary information about your special day, including registry details.
• Put your website on the invitation subtly: Instead of directly mentioning gifts, you can subtly hint at your registry by writing something like, "You can find all the specific details regarding the wedding on the website."
• Create a wedding website: A wedding website is a great way to provide guests with easy access to all the wedding-related information, including your registry. You can include links to your online registries or a registry page on your website.
• Inform your close family and wedding party about your registry: It is common for guests to ask your family and wedding party for advice on gifts. Make sure they know about your registry so they can spread the word.
• Include registry information on bridal shower invitations: It is acceptable to include registry details on bridal shower invitations as these events are centred around gift-giving.
• Count on word-of-mouth: Before the popularity of wedding websites, guests would typically inquire about registries by asking the couple's family, VIPs, and attendants. This tradition is still relevant, so be sure to share the details with your inner circle and let them spread the word.

Don't:

• Put registry information directly on your wedding invitation: Adding registry details directly on your wedding invitation is considered rude and presumptuous. It may give the impression that receiving gifts is just as important as sharing your big day with loved ones.
• Mention anything about gifts on your wedding invitation: Your wedding invitations should focus on building excitement for your celebration. Avoid mentioning gifts, even if you're requesting no gifts. Simply state that their presence is what matters.
• Post your registry on social media: Unless you've invited all your social media followers to your wedding, posting your registry online can be interpreted as greedy and may ruffle some feathers.
• Include registry information on save-the-dates: While it is appropriate to include your wedding website on save-the-dates, avoid mentioning your registry directly.

Wedding website

A wedding website is a great way to give your guests access to all the information about your wedding in one place. It is also a subtle way to share your registry information without coming across as rude or presumptuous.

• Set up your website: Use one of the many free online tools available to create your wedding website. It is a simple and efficient way to share all the necessary information with your guests.
• Include all the details: Your wedding website should be a one-stop shop for your guests. Include information such as the schedule, venue, hotel and accommodation options, and, of course, your wedding registry.
• Link your website to your registry: Make sure to include links to your online registry stores so that guests can easily access them. This will make the gift-giving process more convenient for your guests.
• Provide subtle hints: On your wedding invitations, you can include a note such as "You can find all the specific details regarding the wedding on our website." This hints at the availability of registry information without directly mentioning it.
• Spread the word: Share your wedding website with your close friends and family, especially those helping with the wedding preparations. They can then inform the guests about the website and registry details when asked.
• Include a registry page: Your wedding website should have a dedicated page for gift-giving options. A simple introduction, such as "If you wish to give a gift to the bride and groom..." will suffice. This ensures that your guests know that gift-giving is entirely optional.
• Avoid social media posts: Refrain from posting your registry details on social media. This can be seen as greedy and may cause confusion among those who are not invited to the wedding.

A well-designed wedding website will streamline the information-sharing process and ensure that your guests have a pleasant experience leading up to your special day.

Word of mouth

It is also a good idea to create a wedding website and include a link to it on your invitation suite. This way, your guests can easily access all the necessary information about your wedding, such as the venue, schedule, and registry. However, be careful with the language you use on your website. Instead of stating "The couple is registered at [store name]", try something like "If you wish to give a gift to the bride and groom, please visit our website". This will ensure your guests know that gift-giving is an option and not a requirement.

While it is important to inform your guests about your registry, it is against tradition and considered rude to include registry information directly on your wedding invitations. Doing so may give the impression that getting gifts is just as important to you, or even more important, than sharing your special day with your loved ones. Instead, you can include an informational insert in the envelope with a link to your wedding website, where guests can find your registry details.

Bridal shower invitations

When it comes to bridal shower invitations, there are a few key things to include. Firstly, clearly state who is invited on the envelope to avoid any confusion about whether the event is kid-friendly or not. Include the guest of honour's name(s) – this is usually the bride-to-be, but for a co-ed shower, be sure to also add the groom's name.

It is also important to include the date, time, and location, with the full address of the venue to prevent guests from getting lost. Include an RSVP date and the name and contact details of the person guests should respond to. It is also nice to include the name(s) of the host(s) so that guests know who to thank.

The purpose of a bridal shower is to shower the bride with gifts, so don't forget to include registry information. You can direct guests to the couple's wedding website or simply name the stores they are registered at. If you would prefer not to include this information, you can always include a polite note requesting no gifts.

Traditional

• "Please join us for a bridal shower honouring [name of bride]."
• "Help us shower [name of bride] with love."
• "Come celebrate [name of bride] before she ties the knot."

Modern

• "A toast to the soon-to-be Mrs."
• "Let's help this Miss become a Mrs."
• "Pop! Fizz! Clink! Twirl! Help us celebrate our favourite girl!"

Funny

• "Guess what? Our girl finally got a ring (it took her long enough!). Come help us celebrate."
• "Free booze and food! Come celebrate [name of bride] with us."
• "Apparently [name of bride] is finally a fiancée? Come see for yourself at her bridal shower."

Themed

• "You're cordially invited to [name of bride]'s bridal shower tea party. Wear your finest attire to toast the bride."
• "Boots, brunch, and bubbly. Let's have a shower [name of bride] is sure to remember."
• "Join us for an intimate lingerie shower to celebrate [name of bride] before becoming a Mrs."

Save-the-date cards

When creating your save-the-date cards, you can include a variety of details to help your guests plan their attendance:

• Names of the couple getting married
• Wedding website or social media page
• City and state of the wedding venue
• An indication that a formal invitation will follow
• Travel and accommodation information, such as hotel room block details and transportation options
• Your wedding hashtag

It's important to keep the save-the-date card simple and straightforward while still providing enough information for your guests. You can also consider including a wedding website link, which can be a subtle way to direct guests to your registry information.

While it's important to inform your guests about your wedding registry, it's generally considered rude to include registry information directly on your wedding invitations. This can give the impression that receiving gifts is just as important, or even more important, than sharing your special day with loved ones. Instead, you can include an informational insert in the envelope with a link to your wedding website, where guests can find registry details along with other wedding information.

Frequently asked questions