WEDDING REGISTRY CHECKLIST

postcardfromparis.com | postcardfromparis.com/registry ☐☐ It’s Time: Register as soon as you get engaged to give ample opportunity for your guests to be prepared for the various events before the big day. They will want to know what you need for upcoming festivities including engagement parties, showers and brunches.

☐☐ Be Yourself: You want your registries to reflect your personal tastes and preferences of what you feel your married lifestyle will be. Consider both formal and every day dinnerware, glassware and linens. Have a discussion together about how formal you think you will be as a couple.

☐☐ Take Stock-Together: Make a list of what you both have so you know what you need and want. Take time to talk about the style of home you’d both like, and divide categories of who will be in charge of what. It is often best to make this a special time for just the two of you. If you decide to bring along mom, ask his mom too, knowing all the while the final decision is yours.

☐☐ Make an Appointment: Select registries that offer top quality exclusive products designed for a lifetime of entertaining and living together. Call for an appointment to meet the bridal consultant. Be sure to take the time necessary during your meeting to discuss your personal style and review the products offered to be sure the product line reflects your tastes.

postcardfromparis.com | postcardfromparis.com/registry ☐☐ Remember Perks: Before choosing where to register, find out what kinds of perks you may receive from each registry. Many retailers offer a completion program that allows you to fill in whatever you don’t receive at a significant discount. Also check to see if your registry retailer is active in social media. Savvy retailers will have a Facebook and Pinterest site to get your guests inspired about gift giving.

☐☐ Make It Two-Four: Two to four registries will give guests more choices while still being manageable. To make things easy, pick one store for bedding, another for china, and so on. This will prevent you from signing up for the same items at different stores.

☐☐ Mix It Up: Be sure to register for items in a range of prices so that guests can choose gifts within their means. You will want to choose a good mix of essentials and splurges.

☐☐ Don’t Be Shy: It is a great idea to request more items than the number of people on your guest list. A good rule of thumb is choose two gifts for every guest.

☐☐ Slow Down: Don’t be in a rush! Budget plenty of time for discussion and debating. You don’t want to make selections you will later regret and you can always add to your gift registry later.

postcardfromparis.com | postcardfromparis.com/registry ☐☐ Get Plenty of Plates: It’s a great idea to request at least eight to twelve place settings to accommodate the needs of holidays and dinner parties in addition to everyday life. Quick tip: China is a catchall term often used to describe dinnerware and dishes. Formal, or fine, china is of a higher quality, and includes bone china and porcelain. Casual china, such as earthenware and stoneware, is less costly but also of lesser quality.

☐☐ Carefully Manage: Keep in mind when you first register, it is smartest to sign up for products you really need like your china. It is essential your registries have an online tracking system. Then as the items on your checklist start to diminish over time, you can add the nice-to-have items later. Plan on checking your registry at least once a week and even more frequently nearer the wedding day.

☐☐ Take a Peek: Browse registries of other newlywed couples you know. Although you will not be able to see what has actually been purchased, it will give you some good ideas for your own registry. A knowledgeable consultant will also know what is up and coming.

☐☐ Stay in Season: Be wary of seasonal selections. If you have longer than one year before the wedding day, don’t register for seasonal items that will be replaced in a few months since they may be discontinued as your special day approaches.

postcardfromparis.com | postcardfromparis.com/registry ☐☐ Be Tactful: Unfortunately, it’s inappropriate for the bride or groom to ask for wedding gifts, so you have to be careful in how you let people know where you’re registered. Never include registry information with your wedding invitations; word of mouth is the appropriate way to communicate this. Your registry info can be listed on your bridal shower invites since the invitation does not come from you. It is also perfectly appropriate to include registry information on a wedding Web site.

☐☐ Stay Active: Ask the store how long your registry list will remain active after the wedding. Traditionally, guests have up to one year from your wedding day to buy a gift, so that’s at least how long your registry should remain active.

☐☐ Be Gracious: Thank you notes for gifts received before the wedding should be sent within two weeks of arrival. Notes for gifts received on or after the wedding day should be sent within a month of your return from the honeymoon.

☐☐ Beware of Bad Karma: It is not a good idea to begin using the gifts you have received before the wedding date. Save them for the big day. It will make it that much more special to be husband and wife when you begin to use your new gifts.

☐☐ Don’t Ask: Unfortunately, it is not socially acceptable to ask for money outright. If cash is what you are after, it is recommended you not register and hope your guests get the idea.

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