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Wedding Information
Should a couple register before the wedding?
Wedding gift registries have received a modern makeover. Today, most engaged couples already have a blender or two, which makes the process of finding and compiling a registry a more demanding ... and exciting ... shopping adventure.
What's on modern couples' minds? Fine food, chic electronics, sporting gear and other sexy extras. From online registries to vacation and home improvement wish lists, wedding gift bliss has never been easier. In fact, for both couples and guests, online registries have made ease of shopping and all that wondering what the couple needs or wants is no longer an issue.
Better yet, today couples can register for an online "Honeymoon" Registry. Guests sign in to the registry and contribute a dollar amount that goes toward a dream honeymoon for the bride and groom. For couples that already live together, and have two sets of pots and pans already, this is an ideal gift. Guests can then sign in to see what the couple is up to in Bora Bora.
Before we get down to business, consider these registering dos and don'ts:
- Do Register
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If you're wondering whether to register, the answer is clear: Do it. Not only does registering give your guests an easier way to buy wedding gifts you want, but it also ensures that you won't receive five of the same item.
- Don't procrastinate
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Set up your registry soon after you get engaged, in time for any pre-wedding parties. Most people register eight to nine months before the wedding; and registering a year to 14 months in advance is not uncommon.
- Do let your guests know
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Don't engrave registry information on your invitations, but make sure your parents, best man and maid of honor know which registry you've chosen. Relatives will be sure to ask Mom and Dad for this info, while friends will most likely ask your attendants.
- Do consider convenience
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Don't register at a store with only one location. And a good bet to include far-flung friends and relatives is to register online. That way, guests can buy gifts whenever and wherever they'd like.
- Don't be a slave to tradition
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Traditionally, household items such as china, crystal, and flatware were staples of bridal registries. Nowadays, you can register for anything from power tools to kayaks. If you two never cook or entertain but love the outdoors, it might make more sense to register for a tent than a tea set.
- Don't register expensive items only
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Be sure to register for items in all price ranges (with some under $50) so everyone can choose a gift without taking out a second mortgage.
- Do ask questions
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Wherever you choose to register, be sure to find the answers to the following questions:
- What range of products and brands does the registry carry?
- Can gifts be shipped to an address you supply?
- Is the registry available online?
- Can guests purchase online?
- What's the return policy?
- Can you exchange duplicate gifts?
- Is there a time limit after the wedding to return things?
- Is there a completion program that allows you to buy items you didn't receive at a discount?
- How long is your list kept active after the wedding? (It should be kept active for a year)
- Do take advantage of discounts
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Make sure your registry has a "completion program." This program will usually ensure that you'll receive a discount for up to a year after your wedding on items not bought from your list. Use this window of opportunity to complete that china set.
- Do enjoy your gifts
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No one benefits from crystal that just sits in the cupboard collecting dust. Put your new toys to good use!
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