A wedding registry is one of those rare things that seems to be a positive thing for everyone involved. A wedding gift registry is a service that retailers offer to brides and grooms. It allows them to create a "wish list" of gift items. Anyone who wants to give the couple a gift can check the list and choose from among a variety of items.
The advantage for the guest is that they can be sure that they're buying a gift the couple truly wants and needs to begin their life together. The advantage of a wedding gift registry for the couple is that duplicate gifts (and associated returns) are rare, and the couple doesn't receive items that they may already own from their lives before marriage. And obviously, the advantage for the store is that they are able to sell items to the guests with a low probability the item will be returned for refund.
When you live in a small town (and you're getting married there), chances are everyone in town knows where brides can register and guests can shop. However, if you live in a larger city, or if your potential guests and well-wishers are scattered across the US, then you might want to take a look at a wedding gift registry at a national retailer.
The Target wedding registry is available online or at your local Target store. Known as "Club Wedd," the Target wedding registry site offers several helpful resources. You can download a registry checklist that is filled with ideas for items to add to your registry. The list is divided into the five major categories: kitchen and cooking, dine and entertain, rest and relax, live, and play. The checklist provides an exhaustive list of things that new couples might need to start their life together. You can also download the Club Wedd Wedding Organizer to help with wedding planning. One really helpful resource is the ability to look at the top items other couples have added to their registry.
Major housewares retailer Bed Bath & Beyond also provides wedding gift registry services. The Bed Bath & Beyond wedding registry includes online access for both the couple and their guests. Purchases can be made online for greater shopping convenience. With the information online, couples can access their registry from any location with internet access. The entire inventory of Bed Bath & Beyond is available for adding to the wedding registry. For maximum ease in adding items, brides and grooms can roam throughout the store with a hand-held scanner. To add an item to their registry, they simply have to scan it.
The Macy's wedding registry is one of the more well-known gift registry services. There are more than 400 Macy's stores throughout the US and guests can also shop from the registry online. So practically anyone living anywhere can purchase gifts for your wedding. Macy's wedding registry also offers online resources for planning your wedding and a free personal wedding website where you can post the details of your big day.
Once you've got your wedding gift registry set up, you need to get the word out to your guests. The retailers where you've registered can usually help with this, but remember what's in it for them. Most guests will be happy to know they can choose items you've already expressed a preference for, but take care not to offend those who want to give you something personal and unique.
Nowadays, the registry doesn't have to end on the wedding day. Most retailers maintain the registry for up to two years, making it easy for guests to purchase belated wedding gifts or to give again on your anniversary.
A wedding gift registry makes giving and receiving wedding gifts convenient for everyone
