Rebellious Brides are often running mad by registry time.
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The wedding registry is a sticky topic, but one that needs to be addressed in every wedding. A gift registry solves the problem of multiples of one item, or doubling up on things you already have. You and your fiance can choose things that are to your taste, eliminating the awkward situation of receiving items that are not to your taste.
Etiquette dictates you should never tell guests of your registry requests. Instead tell your family and bridal party and have them spread the word. A polite way to divert the questions is to set up a wedding website linking up your registries.
There are plenty of registry options:
- Department stores such as David Jones and Myer (Myer has now introduced a scanning system)
- Furniture stores- guests contribute to a piece of furniture
- Art galleries – guests contribute to a piece of art
- Honeymoon registry
- Wine Registry
- Charity registry- Ask guests to make a donation to charity in lieu of gifts.
An engaged couple often has trouble knowing where to start with registering. The first step is to look at your lifestyle. Do you entertain a lot? Do you love weekends at home with no one around? Are you adventurous? A homebody style couple might consider board games, warm blankets, high thread count sheets and bath towels. A couple who loves to entertain might focus more on a gorgeous dinner set, wine glasses, bar accessories and cooking utensils. An adventurous couple may consider putting luggage, camping gear and even experiences, such as hot air balloon rides or skydiving on their registry.
Registering at 1-3 stores is a good idea. In Australia it’s not common to register at more than one store. However in the USA, where it is more popular, keeping it to a maximum of three stores is more common.
Be sure to register for a wide range of price points- from $5 to $500 and up. Guests may like to put money together for a gift, but don’t cause embarrassment for guests who may not be able to afford a lot. Keep track of your registry and make sure you top up items as needed so a guest isn’t forced to buy something expensive at the last minute.
It’s a good idea to register before your first event invitations go out – in Australia that’s probably going to be the wedding. Alternatively you may be having a wedding shower, so a few weeks before the event invitations go out is a good time.
Make sure to keep a spreadsheet or notepad to keep track of which guest has sent you what. Etiquette dictates thank you cards should be sent out within two weeks of the wedding, or return from your honeymoon. Still as the saying goes- better late than never! A guest will always appreciate a hand written thank you card.
Here are some gift suggestions to get you started:
Bedroom/Bathroom
Sheets, quilt covers, doonas (comforters), valance, blankets, mattress protectors, pillows, towels, mattress, electric blanket, woollen underlay, laundry hamper, electric toothbrushes, waste baskets, scales, ironing board, iron, bathrobes
Kitchen/Dining
Mixmaster, microwave, coffee maker, rice cooker, slow cooker, grill tray, warming tray, wok, food processor, juicer, pasta maker, saucepans, baking trays, cake pans, casserole dishes, red wine glasses, white wine glasses, cocktail glasses, tumblers, champagne glasses, jugs (pitchers), teapot, tea cups, sugar bowl, mugs, soup bowls, bread & butter plates, side dishes, dinner plates, place settings, cutlery, pie dish, cake plates, serving spoons, ladles, cake server, coffee percolator, champagne bucket, wine decanter, napkin rings, coasters, fruit bowls, platters, table clothes, napkins, spice rack, salt grinder and peppermill, measuring spoons, wooden spoons, mixing bowls, food scales, toaster, kettle, cutting boards, tea towels, food preparation gadgets (i.e garlic press etc), storage containers, egg timer, thermometer, oven mitts, bottle opener.
Outdoors/Leisure
Freestanding gas heater, chimnea, barbeque, luggage, garden tools, croquet set, boules, outdoor setting, BBQ cooking utensils, garden plants, pot plants, outdoor place settings, tablecloths, board games, camera, video camera, Ipod, VCR/DVD player, computer, television, entertainment console
Living/Accessories
Picture frames, couches, entertainment unit, candlesticks, vases, clocks, lamps, throw rugs, paintings, artwork, picnic basket, floor rug, telephone
Adventure/Experiences
Hot air balloon ride, skydiving, camel treks, accommodation at a bed and breakfast, cooking classes, trapeze classes, wine tasting, sailing cruise, winery tours, massages, luxury movie tickets, restaurant vouchers
This is just a start – the list is endless!
Here’s a look at some of Australia’s most popular online registries which I posted last year.
Melbourne Wedding Registry is only fairly new, but has already found it’s feet in a stylish and beautiful way- their website is gorgeous and their showroom in Melbourne is set to make you drool.
Features I love:
- Ability to set your registry up online
- Free service
- Free delivery in Melbourne, interstate delivery available.
- Personalise your online list with a message and photo for guests
- Ability for guests to purchase via telephone, in person or online.
- Showroom for you to pick out all your goodies.
- Lifetime discount and special offers
The Melbourne Wedding Registry http://www.melbourneweddingregistry.com.au/ Ph (03) 9500 0933 1124 High Street, Armadale.Tuesday to Saturday – 11am to 5pm Sunday – 11am to 3pm
Peters of Kensington has always been known for their great showroom in Sydney full of home goodies- now they have a website (a popular one too!) with great sales and specials which makes home shopping fun!
Features I Love:
· Not just for weddings
· Online, phone and Sydney in store ordering
· Australia wide delivery
· Massive range of product
Easy to use Peter’s of Kensington http://www.petersofkensington.com.au 57 Anzac Parade, Kensington, NSW Ph (02) 9662 7373 Open Monday- Saturday
The Wedding List Company was one of the first ‘non department’ store registries in Australia. After taking the baby steps, they’ve grown into a business stocking over 10,000 products.
Features I love:
- Experiences and honeymoon registries available
- Wide range of brands and prices
- Registry cards
- Currency converter on website
- Online, phone and in person (at three locations) purchasing available
- Free gift cards for guests well wishes
- 10% discount off remaining items for registered couple
- Environmentally friendly bags or gift wrap available
- Lifetime and referral discount
- Australia wide delivery
The Wedding List Company http://www.theweddinglistcompany.com.au Head Office Ph: 02 9698 4366 Open: Monday to Friday
Not Another Toaster was born in 2002, now with contacts all over the world, it’s a perfect system for any bride abroad! With it’s very apt name, Not Another Toaster has the backing of software pros, ensuring a streamlined experience.
Features I love:
- Global support
- Include products and services from ANY store- including honeymoons!
- Ability to receive money as gift
- Registry cards
- Guests purchase online, phone or fax
Not Another Toaster http://www.notanothertoaster.com.au Head Office PO Box 1520 BLACK ROCK, Victoria Tel: 1300 653 900 Email: [email protected]
Has anyone used notanothertoaster? I’d love some feedback on them!
As strange as it is… I’m actually kind of scared to start registering. My taste in style and color seems to change so often… I can’t imagine picking out sheets and a comforter for a bedroom set that I don’t currently have. It freaks me out. I’ve been kind of putting it off…
Thank you for mentioning the benefits of a honeymoon registry and describing the attributes behind this increasingly mainstream registry option for engaged couples.
It is great to see how popular the honeymoon registry is becoming. When Traveler’s Joy first started accepting Members over four years ago, we realized there was a large number of engaged couples that were not satisfied with the diversity of the traditional wedding registry market. Since then, the honeymoon registry has become a mainstream option for brides and grooms and the industry has experienced significant growth.
We are proud to have helped thousands of couples travel to destinations they may never have considered – a great feeling for everyone at Traveler’s Joy.
I encourage you to contact us with any questions about our service. Most importantly, enjoy your honeymoon!
Best Regards,
Brandon Warner
President & Co-founder
Traveler’s Joy Honeymoon Registry
Traveler’s Joy, Inc.
http://www.travelersjoy.com
I have a similar thermometer that was my keepsake for my second journey to the US. I didn’t understand that we have to insert it to the chicken while it is cooking until I saw it being used in a movie.
digital kitchen scales are the stuff that i always use on my kitchen when i weight things `.’
digital kitchen scales are the stuff that i always use on my kitchen when i weight things ~~.
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