By Alisha Rouland, Event Coordinator Registering for a wedding is equal parts exhilarating and confusing. With each beep of the scanner, you begin to more clearly see your future – teal kitchen aid here; purple bath towels there; 1,000 count linens- check; fine china – umm, is this really necessary? There are so many traditional registry ideas that we can get lost in it all. In my opinion, it is most important to consider what type of items you and your groom actually need and want. Luckily, there are extensive options for registries today that allow any couple to choose the best registry that defines their needs and style.
The Honey Moon Registry - This option allows the couple to register for honeymoon experiences, rather than fine china or bath towels. From airfare and travel expenses, to meals and drinks, to surf lessons, rounds of golf, shopping sprees, massages, or romantic cruises - your guests can gift you items that allow you to customize your perfect honeymoon. There are many honeymoon registries available, visit them all and find the one that best fits your needs. You may want to consider researching expiration dates, set up or transaction fees, whether or not you are truly getting a good deal, if your desired honeymoon destination is offered, or if exclusive vendors must be used. Also, Keep in mind that you most likely will purchase your airfare before your guests complete your honeymoon registry – you might want to inquire if travel expenses can be reimbursed or transferred to another item on your registry
- www.honeymoonwishes.com - Includes: Downloadable announcements to print, email announcement wizard, wedding website, full online photo album, wedding blog, and a share tool to post your registry on Facebook, Twitter and other social media site
- www.honeyfund.com - Allows you to calculate the estimated cost of your honeymoon (flight, driving or cruise cost, number of nights, type of desired accommodations, dining, beverages, excursions and/or activities.)
- www.travelersjoy.com - Partners with well-known wedding sites such as The Knot and Wedding Wire and do not charge a guest fee.
- www.wanderable.com - Wanderable provides a thank you tracker and iPhone app that allows the couple to share their experiences with their guests by sending a digital ‘thank you’ postcard.
The Traditional Registry - This option allows the couple to register for household items such as kitchen appliances, pots and pans, furniture, décor, linens, and items that they may not have bought on their own. Check out the 10 Registry Tips from The Knot. Among some of the tips: check for store return policies, register for gifts in a variety of price points, and register for items you actually need (how often do you plan on using that expensive fine china?) and items that you may not purchase on your own (teal kitchen aid mixer – yes please!)
A few commonly used traditional registries include (but are absolutely not limited to): Bed, Bath, & Beyond; Macys; Crate and Barrel; Williams and Sonoma; Target; Pottery Barn; or Amazon.com. Consider registering at a locally owned store - don’t be afraid to choose a store that fits your unique style.
The Multi-Site Registry – This registry option allows couples to register for multiple items at multiple stores all from a single website. You can register for almost anything: typical household items, entertainment tickets, travel, electronics, outdoor furniture, motorcycles, camping gear, jewelry and much more!
- www.registrylove.com - Registry Love lets the couple register for anything from anywhere – from local retailers to retailers that do not have online website to honeymoon and adventure registries.
- www.simpleregistry.com -Same options as Registry Love and allows for group gifting, and a mobile scanner app so you can add an item to your registry anytime, anywhere.
- www.myregistry.com - Allows you to put your entire registry on Facebook, add gifts with your phone, and allows you to sync pre-existing registries.
- www.knackregistry.com - Allows you to create a registry full of unique items not available from national retailers.
The Homeowner’s Registry – This registry option allows guests to put money towards a couples’ new home, or provide renovation, remodeling, or decor to an existing home. Before signing up for a Home Registry, consider the fees and restrictions involved, and how/where you can spend your gifted money.
- www.hatchmyhouse.com – Allows couples to design their ideal house. Guests can gift money, which can be used to purchase parts of the house (like windows or doors) or provide general funding towards a downpayment.
- www.mydreamhomeregistry.com/index.aspx - Gives couples the opportunity to register for things like paint, flooring, furniture, and/or remodeling costs.
The Charity Registry – This registry option allows the couple to raise money for their favorite cause(s).
- www.justgive.org - Just Give gives you the option to choose from more than 1.8 million different charities.
- www.idofoundation.org - Partners with www.justgive.org, and gives you the option of choosing charitable favors.
The Gift Card Registry – www.cardavenue.com - Card Avenue lets couples choose gift cards from over 500 stores, restaurants and services.
The Experience Registry – www.newlywish.com - Newly Wish provides guests with the opportunity to gift a variety of gifts from kitchen and linens, to spas and fitness centers, to dancing lessons and theater visits, to sporting and cultural events.
The Cash Registry – www.weddingrepublic.com - Wedding Republic allows couples to get money without necessarily asking for money and allows your guests to see what their contribution is going towards.
