REGISTRY
BY ELISE DIAMANTINI
the perfect present
Wedding presents may be one of the best parts of getting married, but preparing your gift registry can seem like a Herculean task. Fortunately, the days of managing multiple gift registries and receiving (and returning) unwanted gifts are a thing of the past, thanks to modern websites like Zola, which now allow couples to create personalized registries on one website from any retail store. As Zola’s Allison Davis explains, “Today’s couples aren’t just getting married. They’re also moving, working and have busy schedules, which is why all-encompassing one-stop-shop wedding registries are more sought after than ever.”
Group Gifting: More couples are registering for big-ticket items like furniture, televisions or bicycles, allowing guests to contribute how much they like towards that gift. Tech Savvy: “Couples are opting for gadgets such as e-book readers, Apple TVs, Mophie juice packs, Nest Learning Thermostats and digital cameras,” explains WeddingWire’s senior editorial associate, Caitlin Zentgraf Krebs. Honeymoon and Home Funds: Instead of giving a cash gift, guests can help the happy couple save for their honeymoon or the purchase of a home. It’s a more creative way of giving a monetary gift because guests can choose what they’re contributing to. Another option is if the couple is honeymooning in Anguilla (for example), guests might buy them a relaxing couple’s massage at their hotel or a candlelit beach dinner. New Ways to Entertain: “Couples are moving beyond traditional gifts like china and crystal and opting for things that they will be able to enjoy more frequently in their newlywed life, like camping tents and picnic baskets,” says Zola’s Davis. Experiential Gifts: Some couples are registering for fun, experiential gifts like cooking classes, wine tastings or rock climbing sessions, depending on their interests, rather than things that might end up gathering dust in the hall closet. The Gift of Time: It’s the one thing a couple never has enough of: time together. And what better gift for a bride or groom than a beautiful watch to track it with?
NEED TO KNOW Zola shares its best advice for couples who are getting started on creating their registries. Register Early: Guests will likely want to purchase gifts for prewedding events (e.g. engagement parties, showers), so having a registry early on is beneficial for everyone. Number of Gifts: The number of presents you should register for is based on the number of guests invited to your wedding. Use the Zola Registry Planner to determine how many gifts you should register for. (That said, it’s always better to over-register than under-register.) Gifts should also be chosen across a range of price points so that you don’t force your guests into a situation where there are no items that they can afford. Make Your Registry Personal: It should be just as special as your big day! Customize your registry and make it beautiful with notes, special collections, pictures and even a custom URL. Let Guests Know How to Find Your Registry:Your friends and family will definitely want to know where you are registered, so don’t feel rude about getting the word out! First, tell your family and wedding party where you have registered (tactfully, of course), and allow them to spread the word for you. Also, include your registry on your wedding website, or if you feel comfortable, you can even put it on your bridal shower invitations or save-thedate cards.
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IMAGES COURTESY OF ZOLA
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