Wedding Registry

For shopaholics (and let’s face it – what girl isn’t!) the day you make your wedding registry is definitely close to the Perfect Day. Imagine – you and your honey are set loose in a department store and told to choose whatever you want!

A wedding gift register makes present giving easy for both the couple and their guests. In the past, wedding gift giving was a relatively hit and miss thing. Married couples could find themselves with two electric fry pans, three gravy boats, and bath towels in an assortment of colours.

The modern gift register eliminates double ups and is a practical way of receiving what you want without being impolite. The newlyweds won’t need to exchange unwanted gifts, and guest won’t spend hours trying to find something that may end up collecting dust or being recycled.

After selecting one or more of their favourite stores, the engaged couple, with the help of a wedding gift consultant, compiles a list of their preferred items. A small card (usually supplied by the store) is sent out with the wedding invitations informing guests of where the couple has registered. Having decided if they would like to view the couple’s list, guest can select items to suit their budget and tastes. The gifts are then wrapped and the couple usually has the option to have guests bring them to the wedding, have the store hold them for collection or have them delivered after the wedding.

Another plus is that many stores present the couple with a gift voucher representing a percentage (usually 10%) of the total value of the wedding gift registry purchases. This might allow you to obtain any favourite items on your list that guests didn’t select. Most stores will also supply you with a list of all your guests’ purchases, making sending out your thank you cards a breeze.

Here are a few tips for compiling a gift register:

Choose items in a variety of price ranges to suit the budgets of all your guests.
Ensure you have enough items on your list to give guests enough choice. Remember that some may want to give you more than one item.
It might be useful to arrange a consultation with the sop’s wedding register specialist, who will help you prioritise and choose the most appropriate items.
Compile your register as a couple. It’s important that you are both happy with your selection.
Inform guests that they are free to choose a gift from another store or one that isn’t on your list.

Easy peasy

A wedding gift registry is a bit like a simple Dummies Guide to wedding gift shopping – your guests will no longer have to worry about whether or not you need an extra vase of if these fluffy towels will match your bathroom décor. If this isn’t easy enough, many large stores now offer online shopping so your guests won’t even have to leave the house – it’s almost too easy!

‘Cause you’re worth it

The idea is to choose quality items you wouldn’t ordinarily buy for yourself – pick your favourite bone china rather than the clunky BBQ set you would normally make do with; or a higher quality appliance that will last longer than the ‘bargain’ your darling bought 6 months ago and is already on the blink.

Be bold with your choices and don’t worry about selecting items that are a little on the pricey side – guests will often chip in and buy the more expensive items together. You might even catch someone in a very generous mood. Now is your opportunity to revamp your house and convert your tired old kitchen into an entertainer’s dream – from pizza and DVD nights to stylish dinner parties.

Flash pans

Now that you’re a master in wedding registries – it’s time to go shopping!

Pots and pans have come a long way in the last few years with high-tech gizmos galore, so throw away Mum’s old hand-me downs and line your cupboards with top-of-the-range cookware. Entertaining with flashy tools is not only fun but can also cut food preparation time down so you can spend more time sipping wine and nibbling on cheese and bickies with your guests.

Basic instinct

Every kitchen cupboard will need a couple of frying pans, a stockpot with a lid, two or three saucepans with lids, mixing bowls, a large roasting pan and a baking dish. It is always nice to have a cake tin, cooling rack and cookie cutters too. With these basics there will be no more blaming your tools, you are sure to be able to cook up a storm.

Serving success

Now dinner is cooked, it’s time to set the table. With all your recent nesting you’re sure to have a house full of beautiful things – you want to make sure you continue the good impression when you serve your guests dinner.

For the backyard barby, earthenware, stoneware and pottery are the perfect solutions, but for a swish dinner party you’ll need fine china, bone china or porcelain.

When listing your dinner set, ensure that you put down at least 8-12 place settings. You don’t want to find out that your prized dinner set has been discontinued when ‘someone’ has smashed a couple of plates.

Home stretch

When you are let loose in your chosen store with you hubby-to-be, remember the key word is quality. Take this opportunity to create an entertaining wonderland that you will be proud of for years and years to come. With today’s creative designers, there is a an abundance of styles and shapes to suit everyone’s taste, so go for gold and above all have fun!

BONUS BITS

Here are a few hints to help you create your dream wedding registry:

Organise your list 4-6 months prior to the wedding – some like to get in early.
Some like to get in late – continually add things to the list so they aren’t left with a potato peeler and serviette holder.
List more gifts than you have guests to ensure a large variety of suit all budgets and tastes.
Be specific about colour, make and model of the item you want – you may not share your great aunt’s taste in linen.

Learning the lingo

FINE CHINA/PORCELAIN: This is top-notch in the hierarchy of china – it is long lasting and personifies elegance.

BONE CHINA: As the name suggests bone china is less delicate than fine china. Its chip-proof strength comes form the additive bone ash, which creates the brilliant white look.

EARTHENWARE: Chunky in comparison to the finer china, this ceramic set is ideal for everyday use.

STONEWARE: A pinch of ground stone is added to the clay to create this robust, microwave and dishwasher proof crockery.

If you already have enough home ware, you might like to consider one of the following options:

Ask for contributions towards your honeymoon. Some travel agencies can arrange the whole thing for you, notifying your guests and organising all your travel plans.
Request voucher or money to put towards a major purchase such as a lounge suite or an artwork.
Ask your guest to donate to your favourite charity. Many charities now have gift options that outline exactly what you’re contributing to (e.g. training a farmer or sponsoring an endangered animal).