Creating A Wedding Registry: The Perfect Timing For Couples

Wedding registries are an exciting part of planning a wedding. While there is no set time for creating a wedding registry, it is recommended to start one as soon as possible after getting engaged. This allows loved ones to send gifts and makes it easier for them to shop for pre-wedding events like engagement parties or bridal showers. It is also beneficial to have a registry in place before gifts start arriving to avoid receiving duplicate or unwanted items and to ensure you receive presents you truly want. The recommended timeline for starting a wedding registry is about one month after getting engaged, and it is ideal to have it ready before sending out invitations or save-the-dates.

Start as soon as possible after getting engaged

It is recommended that you start your wedding registry as soon as possible after getting engaged. This is so that loved ones can send gifts to congratulate you, as well as being able to shop for pre-wedding events such as an engagement party or couple's shower. It also means that friends and family will be able to give gifts that you will actually like and use, and you can avoid receiving gifts that you already have or do not want. Setting up your registry early can improve your guests' experience and save you the hassle of returning gifts.

Starting your wedding registry early also means that you can keep track of purchases and avoid receiving duplicate gifts. You can also update your registry over time, adding more gifts so that there are always plenty of options at different price points. It is recommended that you update your registry two weeks before and two weeks after your wedding, as this is when most gifts are purchased.

Although it is possible to start your wedding registry at any time, it is best to have it set up by the time you send out your save-the-dates. You can keep your registry private or not give out the details until closer to your wedding date. However, most professionals recommend registering within the seven to nine-month range before your wedding date, as this is when your bridal shower and other pre-wedding festivities will take place.

Set up before an engagement party

It is generally recommended that couples set up their wedding registry as soon as possible after getting engaged, ideally within a few weeks or a month of the proposal. This ensures that loved ones can send gifts of congratulations and shop for pre-wedding events, such as an engagement party. Setting up a registry early means you can avoid receiving gifts you already have or do not want or need. It also ensures that guests have a range of options at different price points.

If you are having an engagement party, it is considered good etiquette to have your wedding registry set up beforehand. This ensures that guests have guidance when it comes to gift-giving and can avoid turning up with a gift that is unsuitable or unwanted. It is also a good idea to ensure that your registry is completed before any invitations are sent out, as guests will want to bring a gift to an engagement party.

When setting up your registry, it is important to take the time to sit down as a couple and take stock of what you already have, as well as what you want and need. Consider your colour schemes and patterns, and choose gifts that fit your couple style and your newlywed home. You can always update and add to your registry as the wedding day gets closer.

Include a link on your wedding website

It is generally advised to create your wedding registry as early in the wedding planning process as possible, and at the latest, by the time you send out your save-the-date cards. While you shouldn't include a link to your registry on your save-the-date cards or formal wedding invitations, it is a good idea to include a link to your wedding website, which will include all the important details, such as your registry.

Creating a wedding website is a great way to make gifting easy for your guests, and it is also useful for managing RSVPs. There are many free websites that offer wedding website creation, such as The Knot, WeddingWire, and Joy. These sites often have additional features, such as RSVP management and wedding planning services.

If you don't want to create a wedding website, you can still direct your guests to your registry by including a link on a "details" card with your invitations, or by grouping the link with other information, such as accommodation and directions. You can also rely on word-of-mouth, and let your wedding party know where you are registered so they can inform guests who ask.

Update your registry regularly

Creating a wedding registry is not a one-off task. It is important to update your wedding registry regularly, from the time you are engaged to when you walk down the aisle. Here are some tips to help you keep your registry up-to-date:

• Start early: It is recommended to set up your wedding registry as early as possible after getting engaged. This allows loved ones to congratulate you with gifts and shop for pre-wedding events, such as an engagement party or bridal shower. Starting early also helps you avoid receiving gifts that you already have or do not want.
• Update frequently: As guests purchase items from your registry, be sure to add more options so that there is always a range of choices at different price points. Focus on registering for the items you need and want the most first. It is especially important to update your registry two weeks before and two weeks after your wedding, as this is when most gifts are typically purchased.
• Keep an eye on availability: Some items on your registry may go out of stock or be discontinued, so it is a good idea to check your registry periodically and make adjustments as needed. This is particularly important if you are creating your registry more than a year in advance.
• Avoid seasonal items: If you are creating your registry well in advance, try to avoid registering for seasonal items that may be sold out or discontinued by the time guests go to purchase gifts.
• Maintain a range of price points: It is important to have gift options at various price points to accommodate different budgets. A good rule of thumb is to have more items on your registry than guests at your wedding. This will ensure that there are enough options for engagement, shower, and wedding gifts, as well as guests who purchase multiple items.
• Plan for late shoppers: Traditional wedding etiquette states that guests have up to one year after the wedding to buy a gift, so it is a good idea to keep your registry active for at least that long.

Spread the word early

It's important to spread the word about your wedding registry as early as possible. This will help your loved ones to congratulate you with gifts if they wish to and will make it easier for them to shop for pre-wedding events, such as an engagement party or couple's shower. It will also prevent you from receiving gifts you already have or don't want, and will save you the hassle of having to make returns.

You can create a wedding website to share all the details of your wedding, including where you are registered. This can be shared as soon as you set a date. You can also include the link to your wedding website on your save-the-date cards and formal wedding invitations. This will allow your guests to easily transition from your wedding website to your registry.

It is also a good idea to spread the word about your registry early through word of mouth. If you share the link to your registry early enough, it is likely that it will spread by word of mouth, and you will avoid questions later on about where to find your registry.

It is recommended that you send out the link to your registry between nine and 11 months before your wedding. However, this timeline may vary depending on the length of your engagement. If your engagement is longer than a year, you may want to wait to send out the registry until you hit the one-year mark. On the other hand, if you are having a short engagement, it is best to get the registry sent out as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions