Wedding Registry/bridal Shower Question...

Updated on March 17, 2011
R.D. asks from Richmond, VA
17 answers

I don't know how this works... do you register for things like your cake cutter and champagne flutes on your actual wedding registry, or is that something people generally give as a gift at your bridal shower??

I hate even registering, we don't need anymore STUFF (except a big mixing bowl, mine broke)... my mom and MIL's (mom and stepmom) keep urging me to register... I've got like 6 things on there... My girl friend told me to register for camping gear, but I'd hate to ask for something I WANT instead of something I NEED.

I NEED a little direction here, LOL...

What can I do next?

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

If you don't want to register, don't. If you don't want a shower, you don't have to have one. And if people ask for suggestions for a wedding gift, just tell them, "We really don't need anything but you."

4 moms found this helpful
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R.B.

answers from Atlanta on

Ive helped with several weddings, and on the list, you can ask for anything you want/ need.
I know several ppl that asked for camping gear, video games etc.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

L.A.

answers from Austin on

I used to be a Bridal Registrar at a major store.. Here is the deal..

IF you do not register, people are going to give you junk.. Like frames, candles, scrap books.. You will end up with a ton of these unneeded unoriginal items in every style out there.

So register for what you want and really need. Register at a few different places. Target, A Major store where lots of people shop, a Hardware store and a sporting good store.. whatever fits your life style. Keep in mind, when you register, it makes it easier to return and exchange if needed.

Keep in mind prices. People spend in $25., $50, $75., $100. etc.. so look at the cost so there is something for all sorts of people to purchase.

Yes, register for the cake set, the toasting set.. These are things you will uses and need..

4 moms found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from New York on

Honey you have got it all wrong. Ask for what you want and/or need. It doesn't have to be what you need. These are wedding gifts. Things to treasure and for people to give you to remember them by as you make a life with your husband. It is fun to go around and put all kinds of things you would never buy for your self. People want to buy you a nice gift.

4 moms found this helpful

J.G.

answers from San Antonio on

someone else should get you your flutes. BUT if you are having a hard time registering for "stuff" then add that on there! The way I see it, if you have 20 items on your registry, then you'll probably for sure get those 20 items plus quite a few gift cards.

If you don't NEED nor WANT measuring cups and plates and glasses and silverware and candlesticks, then don't register for them. If you DO WANT new cups and plates and glasses, then NOW is the time to get them - when it's on someone else's dime. I hope that doesn't sound greedy. But people want to get you a gift when you're getting married. If they go to a shower, they don't want to show up with a gift card - they want to bring a gift.

3 moms found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

The best gifts are things you are going to actually use. Register for what you are going to use. I'd rather get camping gear than China...

2 moms found this helpful
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M.!.

answers from Columbus on

I hear ya! I ended up not doing a registry and had "thru the grapevines" let our family know we were trying to finish our basement and Lowes giftcards would be great.

I have also seen things like where people can help cover costs for honeymoons thru an agency. Like, if you were to take a cruise guests could pay for a Donkey ride when you reach land, or a hike to the top of the mountains, or a massage while on the boat. Maybe look into something like that for an alternative registry?

Sorry, not very good at this, lol... I am with you - I hate "asking" for things.

2 moms found this helpful
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L.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

you should not register for things FOR your actual wedding as gifts are suppose to help you and your new hubby get a good start. Even if you dont NEED something, perhaps you might want to update something (like bedsheets, or bath towels, pots and pans, new dishes, silverware, new hangers) one of the best gifts I received that I thought was stupid at the time was an electric mixer...AHHH what a great invention.
So even if you dont need something, just update what you have and sell the old stuff. If you are still in a funk, register for things you will need or want to do on your honeymoon ...when in doubt, you can ask for gift cards.
Its not bad to ask for camping gear...assuming you and your hubby like to do that stuff. dont register for things that are going to collect dust....its a waste of money. (but if you were avid campers, this is something you would already have)...what do you and him like to do?? that is what you register for....but your everyday essentials is where your should start

2 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Chicago on

Yes, you can register for those items. They are generally given as a gift at the shower, but then, so are most registry items. The point of the registry is to give others ideas of what you want and need, and it is used as a guide when buying a gift for your shower. Most registries will be used up after the shower, so it is recommended that you revisit and add additional items for those guests that would like to buy from the registry for the wedding as well. Also, there may be some people that did not attend the shower that want to purchase from your registry, or out-of-town guests that would like to send you something. I did my registries at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond, and they put right on there that gift cards would be happily accepted. I highly recommend Bed Bath and Beyond as a registry store, and I challenge you to walk in there and not find 100 things that you "need," LOL!!! Have fun and good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from Springfield on

The point of a registry is to let people know what you want so they don't have to guess. I think it's because so many of the guests won't actually know you all that well and won't know what to get you. Register for what you want, because it's like Laurie A said. If you don't let people know what you want, they'll guess. And they'll probably guess wrong.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Register for things you want/need for your married life. I have been to showers where there were things on the registry ranging from board games to building supplies. people want to get you what you want/need. if camping will be a big part of your married life then put it on. have you registered for things like lawn/patio stuff? a garden hose? rakes and brooms etc?

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

You can also register at Home Depot, Bed Bath Beyond.

Things that you will need AT the wedding should probably NOT be on the registry since you will need them that day.

Put the big mixing bowl on there. Put new dishes, silverware, placemats, towels. Things your family needs and wants. Just because you register for it doesn't mean someone will buy it.

2 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

Cake cutters and things needed at the wedding are usually paid for by you, since obviously you wouldn't be able to use them if they were wrapped in a gift somewhere or not bought at all.

Register for item like towels, utensils, bedding, camping gear is a good idea. Have a wide range of prices, some may only be able to afford those $6 measuring cups, but some friends may get together and splurge on a tv or vacuum, you never know.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.W.

answers from Pittsburgh on

You register for things you will need in your new home as you build a life, not things you will need for your wedding day. Most people put new dishes, towels, sheets. stuff like that. I don't think there is anything wrong with putting camping gear on there, although I'd probably only list a few items. You can also put gift cards on your registry. You could probably put cleaning supplies and stuff on there too. My cousin wrote on her wedding invitations that they'd prefer money over presents. She wrote it very eloquently but i don't remember how. You could always do that too.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

we didnt register. we had a baby six weeks before the wedding and no one bought any of the stuff off that regisistry (ok two items, one was the crib from my mom, we ended up returning a lot of things to get things we actually needed) so we let the wedding go and most people choose to give us money instead of taking a guess at a gift. it was nice we got to pay off a lot of bills instead of have a bunch of stuff we couldnt use

1 mom found this helpful
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R.L.

answers from Roanoke on

Instead of registering for a bunch of little things you don't need, you could register for some "major" items, like a bedroom set or a new washer/dryer..then people could put money toward those items, and it adds up. Some stores give you a discount if you do it that way, if there's a balance left over and you want to pay the difference.

Otherwise, I wouldn't register at all if you don't really want new stuff. That would save you some time, and you'll be surprised at the gifts you do get!

C.A.

answers from New York on

What's wrong with registering for camping gear? If that is what you like and need things to spend time with your future hubby then go for it. Our best friends did that. I wouldn't do the cake knife or flutes. That should be something that you purchase on your own. Isn't that what registries are for? To get what you NEED and WANT? Good Luck!

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