CWPR Fall 2016

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I N V I T A T I O N S , S T A T I O N E R Y , P R O G R A M S , G I F T S & F A V O R S
C H I C A G O W E D D I N G & P A R T Y R E S O U R C E
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By Marilyn Kennedy Melia, CTW Features
Who wouldn’t feel like a kid in a candy
store? Scanner gun in-hand, free to roam a
store’s aisles, capturing data on any and all
items that you’d like to receive from your
wedding guests.
Establishing gift registries definitely is one
of the perks of planning your wedding – and
one of the few times you don’t have to whip
out your credit card – but you do have to
put your childlike excitement on hold long
enough to ponder some grown-up consid-
erations, or you could risk ending up with a
bread maker you’ve no intention of using, or
even alienating some of your guests.
Registries, whereby couples list items they’d
like to receive as shower or wedding gifts
are an old custom. But while your mother
and grandmother [registries used to be the
concern only of the bride] sat down with a
consultant who helped them indicate specific
choice from prescribed categories like “good
china” and “table linens,” you’ll probably
select together, from a virtual world of
possibilities.
Because of technology, almost anything can
be put on your registry.
Choice is grand, unless too much of it con-
fuses. Establishing a registry is a catalyst for
some serious planning about where and how
long you’ll live in a particular place.
If you know you’ll be staying [in your home]
five years or more, that makes a difference
– you can add more expensive things you‘ll
be keeping. For those with a short-term
horizon, registering for essentials like sheets
and towels makes sense.
If each partner has lived on their own
for some time, they may have to agree to
edit each other’s possessions, coming to
agreement on what goes into their married
home. Couples who already own items can
take photos and fabric swatches when they
register at a store. The consultant may help
you coordinate with what you have. Don’t
forget room dimensions, either, since you
don’t want to be stuck with anything too big
or small.
As long as you register for items in a wide
range of prices, such as a couple of dozen
items under $25, and more under $50, $100,
and so on, you’re giving your guests a great
range of options.
Many people often log onto a couple’s reg-
istry for gifts for other occasions. That’s an-
other reason you would want to have some
lower priced items, since people are using
registries for housewarmings or birthdays.
ASKING POLITELY
It’s still proper etiquette to include a registry
card only in shower invitations, never in
wedding invitations. However, more brides
and grooms are sending ‘Save the Date’ cards
that include the URL of their personal wed-
ding website … where there’s a registry link.
© CTW Features
The Right
Registry
Selecting potential gifts is fun, but it also
requires planning on the couple’s part