To Register or Not to Register (for Wedding Gifts)

I say always register for gifts! You see, people tend to spend more on wedding gifts than any other occasion! For example, when I got married, my husband's grandparents gave us $1000 and we never get gifts from them, not even for Christmas!

Think about it, there are all sorts of things that you will need and want for your new home. (Or even your old home) Register for them all, everything from bath towels to good china and anything in between, even the non-traditional stuff, don't be scared.

Give your registry diversity so that there will be plenty of items with varied prices to choose from so no one feels left out. But again, don't be afraid to add some of the higher priced items too. Even if you don't have the generous grandparents I did, you never know if several of your family members might decide to go in together to get you something really nice.

It helps to register with national chain stores that are common in most cities and states, and/or those that have websites to shop online. Like I said before, you may still get a toaster or two whether you register for it or not, but you won't get anything good if you don't ask for it!

Got everything you need? Here is an idea; set up a gift registry with your photographer! The easiest way to do this is to have cards made that have the photographers contact info on them as well as your name too. Many photographers would give you these cards for free. Your friends and family could call in or send in monetary gifts that would build up a credit for you with the photographer.

Another option, you could have your guests donate to your favorite charity on your behalf instead of the traditional wedding gifts!

Or, have a "Honeymoon Registry" and have people help contribute to that as a gift. Perhaps have a little notice in the shower invitation that reads "In lieu of traditional wedding gifts, the bride and groom are taking monetary contributions to the honeymoon". Sometimes your travel agent can help set this up for you.

"No, really we just want cash!" I hear ya ;-) this is OK too, but be careful not to be rude. You can create a cash registry by setting up a PayPal account, best of all it is free!

Etiquette says not to include information about the Registry in the actual wedding invitation, many see this as rude. Like the gift is more important than having "the honor of their presence" at your wedding. It is perfectly acceptable to put your registry cards in with the shower invitations, as gifts are expected there, that is the purpose of a shower. Some people still do mention the Registry in the wedding invitation, if you choose to do so, put in a separate card, but do not put it in the actual wording of the invitation!

The traditional way to spread the word about the Registry is through the shower invitations and through friends and family. Another great way is to have a personal wedding website. This lets you tactfully let people know where you are registered and allows them to easily view the Registry online with the links provided. All while sharing all sorts of important details and fun stuff about the wedding. And since it is online, it is available to friends and family everywhere, anytime of the day!

"Having a background in many aspects of the wedding industry I have seen a lot of weddings and worked with a lot of vendors. I have seen mistakes some brides make in trying to save a few dollars. I have seen a few vendors take advantage of unsuspecting and uneducated brides. I have seen some of the good the bad and the ugly of weddings"

Check out our e-book "The Definitive Wedding Planning Guide" for more tips and ideas for planning your wedding. http://www.southsidebride.com/ebook.htm

In The News:

---

Boston Globe
‘Bride Wars’ is a failed marriage | 1 ½ stars
Kansas City Star, MO - 15 hours ago
And their mutual friends will have to decide which wedding to attend. All would be well if only one of them would cancel (or if they would agree to a double ...
Video: Ann Hathaway's Stellar Year CBS
'Bride Wars' stars Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway are funny allies Los Angeles Times
'Bride Wars' A Marriage Of Mediocrity Tampa Tribune
Boston Globe - Washington Postall 803 news articles

Downtown Express
Manhattan's new Marriage Bureau earns wows as a place to say your vows
New York Daily News, NY - Jan 8, 2009
On Wednesday, Roney witnessed the new Manhattan Marriage Bureau’s first wedding ceremony, between Carlos Sanchez, 27, and Jennifer Avila, 22, from Sunnyside ...
Eloping to Vegas? Why Not Lower Manhattan? New York Times
NY hears wedding bells, aims to compete with Vegas The Associated Press
Wedding Bells Ring In NYC Marriage Bureau WNYC
Downtown Express - Gothamistall 254 news articles

New York Times
"Not Easily Broken" a thinly disguised sermon
Reuters - 1 hour ago
Wedding-day dreams have taken several unexpected turns when we catch up with Dave (Morris Chestnut) and Clarice (Taraji P. Henson). They live an extremely, ...
Movie review: Cliches nag 'Not Easily Broken' San Francisco Chronicle
Not Easily Broken ( ** ) AHN
Movie Review: ‘Not Easily Broken’ is a romantic soap opera that ... Providence Journal
Chicago Daily Herald - Pittsburgh Post Gazetteall 86 news articles

FOR FAMILIES: A guide for parents to Jan. 9 and earlier releases
Chicago Tribune, United States - 12 hours ago
By Roger Moore | Tribune Newspapers What it's about: Best friends become dueling brides when they both book the wedding they've always dreamed of in the ...

Wearing white and eating cake, Brides magazine turns 75
The Canadian Press, NEW YORK - 22 hours ago
"The magazine is realistic about how people's lives are today, but still the focus is how to have a successful wedding and start a healthy marriage," says ...

Wedding war: Las Vegas versus New York
KVBC, NV - 10 hours ago
The city has renovated it marriage bureau and even built a 24000-square-foot wedding complex with the hope of becoming the most popular wedding site. ...

New York Magazine
City to Make Your Shotgun Marriage Just That Much Nicer
New York Magazine,  USA - Jan 7, 2009
Photo: Getty Images Perhaps sensing the economic downturn (and having eventually watched the Sex and the City movie), the city spruced up its civil-wedding ...

MLive.com
Bay County gets older, refrains from marriage, likes guns ...
MLive.com, MI - 20 hours ago
Luczak said economics could be partly to blame, as young couples struggling to get a foothold in life may be putting off the expense of a wedding.

Former First Lady Cornelia Wallace Dies At 69
NBC13.com, AL - 6 hours ago
Just 16 months after their wedding Governor Wallace was shot. The assassination attempt left Wallace paralyzed. Fifty-four days later, he left the hospital ...

KHOU
Houston wedding show could help brides on a budget
KHOU, TX - Jan 7, 2009
“I refuse to go into this marriage in debt, “ says Ashley. “That's no way to start out.� -- Watch the flowers. All those arrangements can quickly add up. ...

marriage wedding - Google News

How to Choose a Pearl Necklace for Your Wedding Day

The elegant beauty of a strand of pearls has fascinated brides for centuries. People believe that wearing pearls on their wedding day will bring bliss... Read More

How To Pick The Perfect Wedding Dress

Perhaps the biggest worry of a bride-to-be, is picking out the perfect wedding gown. There are many questions you need to ask yourself before you ever step... Read More

June Weddings

From the book Spider's Big CatchAs June wraps its arms around us like the warm hug of a favorite aunt, I begin to think about weddings. I've... Read More

Wedding Etiquette for the Best Man, Groomsmen, and Ushers

Undoubtedly, the groom will want to choose a few good men-often his brothers, college buddies, and best friends-to carry out all of the responsibilities traditionally assigned to... Read More

Have a Garden Theme Dream Wedding

You've found the perfect venue: old oaks, a stone wall, a gazebo, acres of fragrant jasmine and honeysuckle, and even a small, clear pond. Now it's time... Read More

Celtic Diamond Rings ? A Combination of History And Romance

The symbolism of Celtic Diamond Rings is relevant to all cultures. Love and friendship intertwined in the Celtic symbols on the ring have relevance to every couple... Read More

Wedding Planning Tips and Tricks

Planning a wedding is an exciting thing, and can be very scary. With some basic tips and tricks, you will be sure to make you day special.Be... Read More

Before You Begin Marriage Counseling, Ask This Question

There's an important question that you need to ask the marriage counselor you and your spouse are considering using. The question itself may surprise you, as well... Read More

6 Ways to Save Money on Wedding Invitations

Inviting your possible guests on your wedding day can be costly. You have to give them traditional wedding cards to inform them of the date and venue,... Read More

Prenuptial Agreements: The Deal Breaker?

So you're toying with the idea of getting married? Maybe somebody has mentioned a Prenuptial Agreement (Prenupt) or maybe you've never thought of it before. Regardless, just... Read More

The Wedding Aisle - Who is Walking You Down it?

Choosing who should walk down the aisle with you is not as easy at it has been in the past. In the past, it has always been... Read More

Planning your Weddings Decoration Budget

When it comes to your decorating budget it really depends on where the ceremony and reception will be on what decorations need to be present as well... Read More

Five Ideas for a More Romantic Honeymoon

Candles, rose petals, satin, succulent foods, perfume-you're probably already familiar with all of these time-honored ingredients for creating a romantic mood on your honeymoon. But candles, rose... Read More

Unique Wedding Favors

When it comes to consideration for the right wedding favor, the possibilities are endless. Couples have so many options available today, that it may appear to be... Read More

Moissanite Bridal Rings ?True Choice Of The Young Heart

What best way can a bride think of rising to the very special occasion in her life, if that occasion does not have the glitter of jewelry... Read More

Replacing Your Lost Wedding Ring

Imagine it's Halloween evening and you've just gone to the door to greet another eager child with your big bag of trick-or-treat candy. You look down at... Read More

Discount Wedding Dresses ? Elegance and Style that Won?t Blow Your Budget!

If you're planning your wedding day then you'll be all too aware that one of the many expenses is the cost of your dream wedding gown. Fortunately,... Read More

Expressions of Devotion: Buying Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings, and Wedding Bands Online

Ritual symbolism abounds in everything we do; this is particularly the case when an individual commits their love and devotion to another and offers a promise of... Read More

What Has Worked For Us (Brief Reflections On Enjoying 36 Years Of Marriage)

WHAT HAS WORKED FOR USBrief Reflections On Enjoying 36 Years Of Marriage© Lee Wise All rights reservedFor some reason or another I had a passing thought today.... Read More

Women Sufferings and Infidelity

Her dreams of marriage and collected marriage values disintegrate when she finds her husband/partner is sharing with others what was meant for her. The partner is her/his... Read More

Wedding Planning: Clear Communication with Your Wedding Guests

Effective communication between you and your wedding guests is essential in the months leading up to your wedding. But in this stressful time, how can you maintain... Read More

Indian Astrology and Marriages

Astrology is considered to be the oldest of all sciences, which studies the effects of the planetary positions and movements on our lives. Indian Astrology is an... Read More

Dance Music for the Wedding Reception

The most enjoyable part of the wedding reception is the dance music. When choosing dance music for your wedding, you need to decide if you want the... Read More

Selecting the Perfect Wedding Gift for the Bride and Groom

One of the most memorable days in our lives is when two people commit their love to one another through marriage. Wedding gifts are traditionally offered to... Read More

Three Ingenious Anniversary Gift Ideas

If you have met the person or the couple several times you must be familiar with how they express themselves. Therefore, one of the best anniversary gift... Read More

Invitation Anatomy 101 - Optional Components II - Part 3 of 3

Almost there! This is the third lesson of my "Invitation Anatomy 101" list of articles. Remember, this article continues the listing of common Optional Components typically seen... Read More