How to Set Up an Effective Bridal Registry

The bridal registry is one tricky tool but when used effectively, it gives the soon-to-be bride and groom a chance to pick items which are useful for their new life together and it also gives the guests a chance to bless the couple with items they will genuinely like and use.

Photo: Love is a Big Deal

Here are a couple of suggestions as to how to set up an effective bridal registry. Maximize the use of this convenient tool to ensure a smooth transaction for everyone and avoiding that dreaded return of any gifts purchased by mistake through your own wedding registry. Read on!

Start Early.

Don’t be scared to start with your bridal registry months or even a year ahead of the wedding since there is no too early when it comes to the presents. The registry will come in handy during the engagement party as well as during the bridal shower, so start early on. As the days go by, have the groom-to-be to add his own preferred items and you can also edit the registry as much as you want before and after the wedding.

Offer Options.

Spread the price points of the items for the registry, place big-ticket items into the mix along with sets with items that can be bought separately or as a whole. Sign up with two to three stores and pair national department stores with online stores, to make it more accessible for guests who live in a different state or country. Having too many stores on your plate will make it harder for you to juggle the lists and having just one will make the choices limited both for you and the gift-givers.

Be Hands On.

It is best to actually see the items in person rather than simply clicking the “add to cart” button on a website. Seeing the items or being able to hold them in real life is better especially when it comes to home decoration and kitchen items. Let the groom-to-be pick his own set of items, too. Be it for his own home office, his hobbies, or even for his man-cave, he gets to have his fair share of the registry.

Share Discreetly.

Information regarding the wedding registry usually spreads via word of mouth, with the bridesmaids and the family members giving out the details to other invited guests. During the bridal shower, the hostess of the party may include the details in the invitation as well. If you want the information to be included on the wedding website, the actual name of the stores or shops should be placed on a different page and not accessed readily upon reaching the website.

One-Stop Shop.

Merge all of your registries in one place or make an all-in-one inclusive registry to make it convenient for everybody to pick a gift for you. There are several online registry services that allow you to collate all lists from different brands and stores. The easier it is for the guests to access, the more effective your bridal registry will be.