I underestimated how difficult setting up a registry would be. I mean, how on earth do you decide that one fork is better than another, or if you want to eat off of white or colored table linens?! Who comes up with all these options? After going round and round in circles, I think we finally have our registry set. I learned a few valuable lessons in this process, so below I am sharing 5 tips for registering for your wedding.
Start creating your registry early and edit it often. Trust me, you will change your mind a million times on what kind of plates you would like to register for. Things will also go out of stock or be discontinued. It is helpful to start building a registry early that you can alter as needed and often. When you are editing your registry, think about grouping certain things together and cutting down on the number of places you register. I would recommend having no more than 4 registries. It is best practice to register for all kitchen items at one place such as all flatware, glasses, and serving ware at one place while all bed and bath lines at one place. I also learned that many places will send a coupon after the wedding valid for the items on the registry you did not receive, so go head and over register in case you may want it later!
Go in store to register, not just online. It is great to start a registry online. That way you have an idea of what each store has to offer and you get the ball rolling. However, we found it we much better to see things like plates, glasses, silverware and linens in person. You might decide you hate a pitcher after feeling how heavy it is, or a set of kitchen utensils might feel cheep and flimsy. Not to mention, many stores will give you gifts for coming in to register in person!
Be sure to read the return policy for each store. Some stores have funny return policies, and it might not be as easy as you think to return duplicates or things you change your mind on. Most stores have a 90 day return policy (Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma, Target), but some have 30 day policies (West Elm, Pottery Barn, Dillard’s, Anthropologie). Also, be sure that you are not registering for any final sale items because that typically means that item will be discontinued.
Register for things at varying price points. Think about your guest list and what is affordable for everyone. While some guests are happy to purchase all your kitchen appliances, other guests have tighter budgets and cannot buy everything on your registry. Try to group things in sets, like plates, glasses, and silverware to help guests cut costs. Keep in mind that whatever you do not receive as a gift you have to buy yourself. If you would not be willing to spend the money on something for yourself on your registry, odds are your guests will not either (this is where those registry coupons are helpful).
Make it easy for your guest to shop your registry. Be sure to create a central location where gusts can shop all registries, like a Knot website or Zola, so they are not hoping from site to site. When you set up the registry, include a shipping address where guest who are traveling or might not be able to attend can ship gifts directly to you. Lastly, consider if stores offer free gift wrap for registry gifts either online or in store as that can be helpful for traveling and local guests alike.
I hope my 5 tips for registering are helpful when deciding where to register yourself! xoxo
