Gift Registry
The Gift of a
Getaway By Meredith S. Holt
I
f choosing glassware from a list at a department store feels impersonal but you can’t come up with a better alternative, consider giving the couple the gift of a getaway and donate to their honeymoon registry. Honeymoon registries allow guests to contribute to an experience rather than the kitchen cupboard. PJ Overvold, owner of O Design in Pequot Lakes, says honeymoon registries are becoming very popular. “I think you will be seeing this more and more in bigger cities and also for destination weddings,” she says. Many couples have already been living together for years or are waiting until they’re older to get engaged, so the need for household items has diminished, says Lois Sullivan of Bursch Travel in Little Falls. Instead, they’re turning to travel agencies or websites to get help from family and friends to pay for their honeymoon expenses. Some couples may not otherwise be able to afford a honeymoon. One couple said they received over $10,000 toward their honeymoon, and another said they paid for their whole trip, including a fancy hotel stay, helicopter rides and scuba and windsurfing lessons with their registry, Overvold says. 18
Weddings North • Spring 2011
It’s an easy way to provide the couple with lasting memories. “For guests, it means a lot more to them to know that they’re really part of your memories,” Sullivan says. It’s easy for the couple, too. There are several userfriendly online registries to choose from, such as Traveler’s Joy, Honeymoon Wishes, Honeyfund, The Honeymoon, The Big Day and Smart Honeymoon. Honeyfund features no set-up fees, no transaction fees, and no travel purchase required. Disney, Marriott and Palace Resorts have their own honeymoon registries. Barb Krousey, owner of Barb’s Bridal & Wedding Services in Little Falls, says about half use online registries and half use travel agents. “I, however, always recommend booking through an agent.” Once you choose where you’d like to set up your registry, all you have to do is open an account and customize your page before guests can start contributing. You can inform them of your registry by sharing the Web address for your page or posting it on social-networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Some sites provide e-mails and printable announcements, Overvold says. Honey Luna also