The Wedding Registry: A Guide To Getting It Right

Wedding registries are a fun part of the wedding planning process, and a helpful way to let guests know what you need for your new life together. But how do you share your wedding registry with your loved ones without seeming greedy?

It's considered poor etiquette to include registry information on a wedding invitation. Instead, you can include a link to your wedding website on your save-the-date or invitation, and add a registry page to your wedding website. You can also rely on old-school word of mouth and ask your family and bridal party to spread the word. It's also acceptable to include registry information on your bridal shower invitations.

When it comes to what to include on your registry, it's a good idea to have a mix of gifts at different price points. You can register for practical items, unique items, and fun items. For example, you might want to register for kitchen appliances, home decor, luggage, or even a honeymoon fund.

Where to share your wedding registry

Sharing your wedding registry with your loved ones is an important part of the wedding planning process. Here are some tips on where and how to share your wedding registry information:

Wedding Website

Creating a wedding website is a great way to share your registry information without seeming too pushy. Include a dedicated "Registry" page or section on your website, with links to your online registries or a list of stores where you are registered. You can also add your wedding website link to your save-the-date cards and invitations, allowing guests to easily access all the information they need.

Word of Mouth

Before your wedding website or registry is ready, you can rely on word of mouth to spread the news about your registry. Share the details with your immediate family, bridal party, and close friends, and let them know they can pass the information on to interested guests. This method is especially useful for guests who want to start buying wedding gifts as soon as the engagement is announced.

Bridal Shower Invitations

Including registry information on bridal shower invitations is not only acceptable but also encouraged, as these events are primarily focused on gift-giving. You can include a link or note about your registry on the invitation, or use registry cards provided by some retailers.

Social Media

While it may be tempting to share your registry on social media, this is generally not recommended. Unless you've invited all your followers to your wedding, it can come across as greedy or inappropriate. Instead, use your wedding website to share registry details with your guests.

Wedding Invitations

It is considered poor etiquette to include registry information directly on your wedding invitations. Gifts are not mandatory, and adding registry details to your invitations can give the impression that you are expecting a gift from your guests. However, you can include your wedding website link on your invitations, allowing guests to find the registry information if they wish.

When sharing your wedding registry, remember to be gracious and considerate. It is a privilege to receive gifts, and your guests should never feel obligated to give them. Keep your registry updated with a variety of gift options at different price points, and always send thank-you notes to acknowledge their thoughtfulness.

What to include on your wedding website

Wedding websites are a great way to communicate essential details about your big day to your guests. They can be a fun and creative project for you and your partner to work on together, but it's important to know what to include to make sure your guests have all the information they need. Here are some key things to consider adding to your wedding website:

The Basics: Who, What, Where, and When

Be sure to include the essential details such as who's getting married, the wedding date and time, and the location. It's a good idea to put these details front and centre so that your guests can easily refer back to them.

Location and Travel Information

Provide detailed information about the venue location, including a virtual pin or written directions if the venue is off the beaten track. If you have guests travelling from overseas, include recommendations for accommodation, local restaurants, transportation, and things to do in the area.

Schedule of Events

A rough schedule of the day's events will help your guests know where to be and when. Include start times and locations for the ceremony, reception, and any other events such as a separate drinks reception or after-party.

Dress Code

Let your guests know what to wear by including a detailed description of the dress code. If it's an outdoor wedding, give guests a heads-up about the terrain so they can choose appropriate footwear.

RSVP and Guest Information

Include an RSVP section on your website to make tracking guest numbers easier. You can also use this section to ask about plus-ones and dietary requirements.

Registry Information

It is considered appropriate to include your gift registry on your wedding website. Simply include the name of the store or registry service, along with a direct link.

Bridal Party and Personal Details

You can introduce your bridal party, parents, and MC on your website, so guests can familiarise themselves with key people. You may also want to include a short background story about you and your partner, along with some photos.

FAQs

Anticipate any questions your guests might have and include a comprehensive FAQ section. This could cover topics such as parking, dietary restrictions, an unplugged ceremony, and your wedding hashtag.

How to share your registry with guests

Sharing your wedding registry with your guests is an important part of the wedding planning process. Here are some ways to do it:

Wedding Website

The ideal place to put your registry information is on your wedding website. Once guests have the link to your site, they can access all the details of your special day, including day-of details, local accommodations, dress code information, your love story, and, of course, your registry. It is also a good idea to include your wedding website on your save-the-date cards, so guests can figure out the details for themselves if they want to buy you something.

Wedding Invitations

It is not recommended to include your registry information directly on your wedding invitations, as this could be interpreted as expecting gifts from your guests. However, you can include an insert in your invitation suite with your wedding website information, which will direct guests to your registry.

Bridal Shower Invitations

It is acceptable to include your registry information on bridal shower invitations. Guests invited to a bridal shower will be planning to purchase a gift anyway, and having the details on a less formal invitation is appropriate.

Word of Mouth

Before guests access your wedding website, they may ask you, your family, wedding party members, or other guests about your registry. It is a good idea to create your registry and wedding website as soon as possible after your engagement, so loved ones can start buying wedding presents.

Social Media

It is not recommended to post your registry details on social media, as this could be interpreted as expecting gifts from people who are not invited to the wedding. However, posting a link to your wedding website, which includes easy-to-find registry links, is acceptable.

Wedding registry wording ideas

It's important to strike the right tone and follow modern registry etiquette when it comes to sharing your wedding registry with your guests. Here are some ideas for how to do this:

Wedding Website Registry Wording

Your wedding website is the perfect place to include registry information. It's considered the primary place for listing registry details, and it's also common to include the URL for your website on your wedding invitation. Here are some examples of what to include:

• "We're looking forward to celebrating with you on our big day. Having you at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. However, if you're looking for gift ideas, we've registered here for things that we need to outfit our home: [insert details]."
• "We're moving in together for the first time after the wedding, so we've put together a gift registry of things we need to complete our home and for our new life together. You can find our wish list at [insert details]."
• "Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for! If you would like to honour us with a gift, we have registered a list with [insert details]. Gift cards to [insert details] are also appreciated, as we are moving into a new home after the wedding."
• "We're thrilled that you're coming to celebrate with us—and that's the best gift of all! But, if you'd like to help us spruce up our place, you can find our registry at [insert details]."

Bridal Shower Registry Wording

It's absolutely appropriate to include registry information on bridal shower invitations. Here's an example of what this could look like:

"The happy couple [or their names] have registered at [insert store details]. You can find their gift list online at [insert store URL] or in-store with registry ID number: [insert registry number]."

Wedding Cash Fund Wording

If you're asking for monetary gifts, it's important to be specific about what you plan to use the money for. Here are some examples of how to word this:

• "We are so excited to have you join our special day and your presence at our wedding is the best gift we could ask for. However, if we are to be honoured with a present from you, a monetary gift towards our [insert how funds will be used] would be very much appreciated."
• "We have already lived together for a year or two, so we don't need anything new. But if you were thinking of getting us a small wedding gift, some money for our [insert item] wouldn't go amiss."
• "We will soon be saying 'I do', and if you haven't got a clue about gifts, then we'd really love some cash! With a brand new bed for two!"

No Wedding Gifts Wording

If you've decided to opt for no gifts, you can include a simple sentence or two on your wedding website to make your preferences clear. Here are some examples:

• "Having you join us for our celebration is the only wedding gift we want or need. These precious memories will last a lifetime, so no gifts, please."
• "We're so thrilled you're making the trip to [insert location] to share in our joy. Celebrating with you after we say 'I do' is all we could ask for, so, in lieu of gifts, please bring your hugging arms and dancing shoes."

Charity Wedding Registry Wording

If you've included a charity on your wedding registry, here are some ideas for how to word this:

• "Thank you for being a big part of our special day. If you feel inclined to give us a wedding gift, it would mean the world to us if you made a donation to [insert charity name], a charity very dear to us."
• "In loving memory of [insert name], we'd be deeply touched by a donation to [insert charity name] instead of a wedding gift."
• "We are determined to make a difference by supporting the work of [insert charity name]. If you'd like to give us a gift, the best gift of all would be a donation to this organisation."

Wedding registry etiquette

A wedding registry is a curated list of presents an engaged couple creates to make the gifting experience easier for their guests. It is meant to prepare your home and lifestyle for your next chapter together. While it is a wish list, it should be approached with tact. Here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind:

Do:

• Create a wedding registry. It is a wedding must-have, even if you think you don't need one. Loved ones will want to celebrate your marriage with a gift, and a registry will help them choose something you will actually like and need.
• Start building your registry several months before your wedding day. This gives your guests plenty of time to peruse your list and make their selections. It is also helpful for guests who want to go in on big-ticket items together.
• Build your registry together. Wedding gifts are meant to be enjoyed by both of you as newlyweds, so make sure your partner is involved. Use it as an opportunity to bond and have fun while envisioning your next stage in life.
• Register for items you can enjoy as a couple. Consider your future life together and select items that reflect your shared hobbies and interests, as well as home essentials.
• Look to others for inspiration. Developing a list of all the products you'll need can be overwhelming, so don't hesitate to ask married friends for advice or refer to wedding registry checklists.
• Add gifts at every price point. Keep your guests' financial means in mind and include a range of options, from gifts under $50 to those over $100. Loved ones may decide to contribute as a group to big-ticket items.
• Set up a cash registry instead of asking for cash outright. Couples can tastefully hint at important financial goals or their dream honeymoon by creating a cash registry.
• Use your wedding guest count to inform the registry size. A good rule of thumb is to double your guest list to get a rough number of gifts to include.
• Update your registry as needed. Wedding shower attendees may be extra generous, or some items on your list may become discontinued. Make adjustments as you go to ensure there is always a good selection available to guests.
• Set up a universal registry. Combine all your wish lists for physical gifts in one place, and provide options for cash registries such as a honeymoon fund.
• Customize shipping preferences. Specify whether you prefer gifts to be presented in person or shipped directly to your doorstep, especially if you're planning a destination wedding.
• Share details of your wedding registry. Include a link to your registry on your wedding website, and enlist close friends, family members, or your wedding party to discreetly direct guests to the website.

Don't:

• Post a Facebook status with links to your registry. Not all your Facebook friends are likely invited to your wedding, and it could be seen as greedy.
• Put your registry info on your wedding invitation. Including registry details on the invitation can send the wrong message to your guests and make them think you are expecting a gift. It is also considered poor etiquette to ask for cash in place of gifts.
• Forget to express gratitude promptly with thank-you cards. Sending thank-you cards is a universal courtesy and should be done within two to four weeks of receiving a gift.
• Feel bad about returning gifts. Wedding registries reflect your vision of married life, but it's okay to change your mind and return gifts if they don't fit your actual married life.

Remember, your wedding registry is about you and your partner, so feel free to add gifts that you truly want and will use, as long as you are both in agreement.

Frequently asked questions