Wedding Registry Privacy: To Share Or Not?

Wedding registries have been around for as long as weddings themselves, but they are not without their complexities. While creating a wedding registry should be a fun experience, it can also be time-consuming and confusing. So, when is the best time to make your wedding registry public?

Timing: It is recommended to make your wedding registry public within seven to nine months before your wedding date

Wedding registries have been around for as long as weddings themselves, but the ideal timing for making your registry public has evolved over the years. While it used to be considered presumptuous or greedy to set up a registry long before the wedding, modern etiquette offers a different perspective. Here are some reasons why it is recommended to make your wedding registry public within seven to nine months before your wedding date:

Guest Convenience and Gift Tracking

It is essential to make your wedding registry public early on in the planning process. This allows loved ones to offer their congratulations with gifts if they wish and makes it easier for guests to shop for pre-wedding events such as engagement parties or couples' showers. A registry also helps you keep track of gifts and prevents guests from buying duplicates or items you already have.

Pre-Wedding Festivities

Within seven to nine months before the wedding, there will likely be pre-wedding festivities like bridal showers and engagement parties. It is implied that guests will want to bring gifts to these events, and having your registry ready will make gift-giving (and receiving) a seamless experience for everyone.

Time for Editing and Updates

Creating a wedding registry is not a one-off task. As guests purchase items, you will want to add more to ensure there are always options at different price points. Making your registry public within seven to nine months gives you ample time to edit and update your list as needed.

Proper Etiquette

While there is no set rule for when to make your wedding registry public, etiquette experts recommend having it ready by the time you send out save-the-dates or, at the latest, three to six months before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to purchase gifts at their convenience and ensures you will receive presents you truly want.

Word-of-Mouth Promotion

Making your registry public within this timeframe also allows for word-of-mouth promotion. You can inform close friends and family, and they can spread the word to other guests. This approach is considered more polite than including registry information on your wedding invitations.

In conclusion, making your wedding registry public within seven to nine months before your wedding date is a thoughtful and practical approach. It ensures your guests have a convenient and curated wish list to choose from and allows you to receive gifts that you and your fiancé will truly enjoy as you start your new life together.

Communication: Let family and close friends know where you've registered so they can inform others

While it is considered inappropriate to include your registry on your wedding invitations, it is important to let family and close friends know where you've registered so they can inform other guests when they ask. Adding your registry to your wedding website is also a good idea.

It is also considered okay for friends hosting events for your wedding to share where you're registered. For example, it is acceptable to include your registry on engagement party and wedding shower invites, as the invitation doesn't come from you but rather the person hosting the shower.

To avoid guests having to go to the store to pick up their gift and then to the post office to ship it, ensure that your registry items can be shipped to your home address.

Gift options: Include a range of gifts at different price points, and don't be afraid to add non-traditional options

When creating your wedding registry, it's important to include gifts at a range of price points. This will allow your guests to purchase gifts within their budgets and ensure there are plenty of options for group gifts. While it's fine to include expensive items, balance these with more affordable options. You can also register for stocks or sign up for a honeymoon fund if you're looking for more non-traditional options.

It's recommended to have two to three gifts per guest, and you should register for more gifts than you have guests. This will give your guests plenty of choices and allow them to buy multiple items if they wish. You can also add non-traditional options to your registry, such as charitable donations, experiences, or contributions to a down payment on a house. These days, wedding registries are not just limited to household items or upgrades.

When selecting gifts to add to your registry, consider your needs and wants as a couple. If you're a young couple just starting out, you may need more basic household items. If you work from home, you might want to include items that cater to that, such as office furniture or electronics. If you're already well-established and don't need many physical items, you could consider asking for gift cards to your favourite restaurants or home decor stores.

Remember to review your registry periodically and add more items as gifts are purchased. This will ensure there are always plenty of options for your guests to choose from. You can also take advantage of completion programs offered by many stores, which provide discounts on remaining items after your wedding.

Quantity: Register for more gifts than you have guests, as this allows people to buy multiple items and gives you a discount to complete your registry after the wedding

When it comes to wedding registries, there is a lot to consider. While there is no magic number of gifts to put on your registry, registering for more gifts than you have guests is a good rule of thumb. This approach offers several benefits and can ultimately make the gift-giving process more enjoyable for both you and your guests.

Firstly, having a more extensive registry allows your guests to buy multiple items. This is especially true if you include gifts at various price points. Some guests may wish to be more generous and purchase several smaller items, while others may go in on a larger, more expensive gift together. By registering for a greater number of gifts, you provide your guests with more options to choose from and increase the likelihood that they will find something that aligns with their budget and preferences.

Additionally, a longer registry gives you the opportunity to include a range of items, from smaller, less expensive gifts to bigger-ticket items. While you may feel hesitant to include pricier items, remember that some guests may be willing to splurge, and bigger-ticket products can make excellent group gifts. By catering to a range of budgets, you ensure that all your guests can find something suitable without feeling pressured to exceed their spending limits.

Another advantage of registering for more gifts is that it allows you to take advantage of completion discounts offered by many stores. These discounts, which can range from 10% to 20%, are typically available after your wedding and provide an excellent opportunity to purchase any remaining items on your registry at a lower price. This is particularly beneficial if you have your heart set on certain items that weren't gifted to you or if you want to buy additional pieces to complete a set.

When creating your registry, it's essential to keep your guests informed. Share your registry information on your wedding website or through word of mouth. Avoid including registry details on your wedding invitations, as this is generally considered inappropriate. Instead, rely on close family members, your wedding party, or hosts of pre-wedding events to spread the word.

Etiquette: Avoid listing your registry on your wedding invitations

While it's important to make your wedding registry public, it is considered poor etiquette to list your registry on your wedding invitations.

Instead, it is recommended that you integrate your registry into your wedding website. This is the best way to share gift information with guests. You can also spread the word via word of mouth. It is considered okay for friends hosting events for your wedding to share where you're registered.

It is also important to give guests plenty of choices at different price points. You should also ensure that there are more items on your registry than guests, so people have lots of options and can buy multiple items if they wish.

Frequently asked questions