Creating A Wedding Registry: A Step-By-Step Guide

how to start a wedding registry

Creating a wedding registry is an exciting part of planning your wedding. It's an opportunity to create a wish list of gifts that you and your fiancé need and want as you start your married life together. It's also a helpful tool for your guests, who want to give you something you will use and enjoy. You can include items at a range of price points, from different stores, and even register for stocks, a honeymoon fund, or contributions to a house payment. It's best to create your wedding registry as soon as you can after your engagement, so that guests can purchase gifts for pre-wedding celebrations. You can set up your wedding registry through a website such as The Knot, Zola, or WithJoy, or through a retailer such as Target, Amazon, or Pottery Barn.

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Choose a platform

There are several platforms to choose from when creating a wedding registry. Here are some options:

MyRegistry.com

MyRegistry.com is a universal gift registry that allows you to sync your wedding registries with major retailers and keep the completion discounts, free gifts, and other benefits. You can add items from multiple sites or link other registries. It also offers a Cash Gift Fund feature, where you can easily set up and manage cash gifts from your guests. MyRegistry.com also provides several ways to share your gift list with family and friends, such as customised URLs, social media, eCards, and printable announcements.

TheKnot.com

TheKnot.com offers a free registry service where you can select items from their Registry Store and integrate your list into your wedding website. They provide gift ideas curated into various categories, such as "Gotta-Have Gadgets" or "Kitchen Must-Haves," to help you choose gifts that you and your guests will love. They also offer The Knot Registry Awards, featuring products vetted by editors and loved by real couples.

Zola

Zola is an online shop for wedding gifts, offering perks like completion discounts and wedding planning services. You can add items and experiences from the Zola online shop or selections from any other online store to create a registry that suits your needs and desires as a couple.

Amazon Wedding Registry

Amazon Wedding Registry allows you to add items from various popular brands carried by Amazon, such as Nespresso, iRobot, Riedel, Le Creuset, and Instant Pot. It also offers a 20% completion discount for registrants who receive $500 or more in qualifying purchases.

Honeyfund

Honeyfund is a platform that allows guests to contribute to specific goals, such as your honeymoon plans, a down payment fund, or other cash savings goals. You can share details about your honeymoon, allowing guests to allocate their contributions towards airfare, activities, or gift cards to hospitality brands.

Slowdance

Slowdance is a registry service curated by event planner Jung Lee, offering beautiful heirlooms and home décor items from independent designers. They provide a 20% registry completion discount within six months, price matching, and free wedding planning advice from Lee's event company, Fête.

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Timing

The timing of setting up a wedding registry is important. Many etiquette experts recommend setting up a wedding registry as soon as possible, even as early as within two weeks of your engagement, so that family and friends can select gifts for pre-wedding celebrations, such as an engagement party or bridal shower.

However, it is also important to give your guests enough time to purchase gifts for the wedding day. Therefore, it is recommended to complete your registry four to six months before the wedding. This will also ensure that gifts are accessible ahead of your bridal shower. When arranging your wedding timeline, it is suggested that you aim to make your registry at least eight to ten months before your official wedding day.

It is also important to keep up with writing thank-you notes for gifts received. If your registry does not automatically notify you when a gift has been purchased, review your list every few weeks, and more frequently as the wedding approaches. It is considered best to write a thank-you note on the day you receive a gift, but sending it within two weeks is also acceptable.

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Gift variety

When creating a wedding registry, it's important to offer your guests a variety of gifts at different price points. This ensures that all your guests can find something within their budget and avoids the risk of running out of options if certain gifts are purchased early.

To achieve this, you can select gifts from a range of stores, including big-box retailers and local shops. Some popular options include Pottery Barn, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Amazon, and Wayfair. These stores often have one-registry solutions, allowing you to manage multiple stores within a single registry. Additionally, consider choosing individual items rather than sets, as this can provide more flexibility in terms of price.

If you're looking for convenience, you might prefer to use an aggregator like Zola, which allows you to add items from various brands and stores in one place. This way, you can include gifts from different websites and even convert them into store credit if you change your mind.

Remember, your wedding registry should reflect your needs and preferences as a couple. Discuss your current lifestyle and what you might need after the wedding, whether it's household items, upgrades, or even contributions to your honeymoon fund or new home payment. By offering a diverse selection of gifts, you make it easier for your guests to choose something they know you'll appreciate.

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Gift etiquette

When it comes to wedding registry gift etiquette, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is recommended to complete your wedding registry four to six months before the wedding date. This gives your guests enough time to purchase gifts and allows you to include registry details on your wedding website, which can be shared on save-the-dates and wedding invitations. It is considered poor etiquette to include registry information directly on wedding invitations.

Secondly, it is important to offer your guests a variety of gift options at different price points. Consider the age and average income of your guests and ensure there are more items on your registry than guests, so there is plenty to choose from. While it is acceptable to include expensive items, balance these with more affordable options. If you are asked where you are registered, it is fine to share this information, but avoid putting registry details on the homepage of your wedding website.

Thirdly, while requesting only financial gifts is considered taboo, it is acceptable to register for cash or contribute to a honeymoon or house fund, especially if the couple has lived together for years and may not need traditional gifts. If you do receive gifts, it is important to send thank-you notes promptly, ideally within two weeks of receiving a gift, but no later than three months after the wedding.

Lastly, when creating your registry, think beyond your current lifestyle. Include items that will be useful for special occasions or entertaining, such as platters and champagne glasses. You can also add subscription services, gift cards, and other leisure items. It is recommended to have at least part of your registry set up within two weeks of your engagement, so family and friends can select gifts for early events.

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Spreading the word

Once you've created your wedding registry, it's time to spread the word so your guests can start choosing gifts. Here are some tips to ensure your guests have access to your registry:

Firstly, it's important to note that including registry information on a wedding invitation is not considered etiquette-approved. Instead, you can include the registry details on your wedding website, which can be shared with guests via a details card. You can also add the link to your registry on your wedding website and share it with guests via email, digital invitations, prints, and social media.

It's a good idea to complete your registry 4 to 6 months before the wedding, giving guests time to purchase gifts. Once you have registered, share the information with your immediate family and the wedding party, and they can help spread the word.

If you are using a platform like Zola, which allows you to sync items from different brands and stores, you can avoid having multiple registries or links to share. You can also choose to keep gifts on hold until you decide, so you don't receive surprise packages.

Remember, it's normal for family and friends to want to shower the newlyweds with gifts, and a wedding registry simplifies the gift-giving process for both parties.

Frequently asked questions

You can create a wedding registry on websites like The Knot, Zola, Crate & Barrel, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Amazon, Target, Williams-Sonoma, and Pottery Barn.

It is recommended to create your wedding registry as soon as possible, so friends and family can select gifts for pre-wedding celebrations. It is also recommended to complete your registry four to six months before the wedding.

You can put a variety of items on your wedding registry, including household items, appliances, and even experiences like trips, tours, and concerts. You can also register for stocks, honeymoon funds, or new house payment contributions.

It is recommended to register for more gifts than you have guests, with a variety of price ranges, to ensure there are plenty of options for your guests to choose from.

You can include the link to your wedding registry on your wedding website, and share it with guests via email, digital invitations, prints, and social media.

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