Brides often ask, "What's the right way to register?" Obviously there's more to creating a dream registry than going to a store and grabbing a clipboard or a scanner. There are questions: What should you register for? How many stores should you register with? Should you think about the prices of the items on your registry?
Start by thinking about what items you'll need for your new household. Most likely, you'll want to register for basic appliances, cookware, formal and casual china, crystal, flatware, and bed and bath linens. Whether you plan to set your table with fine china and glittering crystal, host holiday and family get-togethers, or just cook for two, now is the time to stock up on culinary and entertaining must-haves.
When you register, either in-store or online, you'll find registry checklists that contain every conceivable item you could possibly want. Although you may not need every item listed, these checklists can help you avoid overlooking key items you might otherwise forget. And because your guests may have a wide range of budgets, it's important to register for items in a variety of price ranges. Often decorative pieces like picture frames, vases, candlesticks and accent dishes are beautiful yet relatively inexpensive registry additions.
It's best to register in national department or specialty stores; stores that offer online wedding registries. Such registries are especially convenient for out-of-town guests and others who prefer the ease of ordering gifts online. However, when you register online, make sure the stores you choose offer "brick and mortar" options. Some of your guests will always prefer to shop for wedding gifts in person, or at the very least, at stores they are familiar with. And if you opt to create a non-traditional registry, such as one for sports equipment, electronics, furniture, stock or a home mortgage, it's still a good idea to register at a national store for more traditional gift items. Do this as a courtesy to those guests who may be uncomfortable with non-traditional registry choices and prefer giving classic wedding gifts.
There's no "correct" number of stores to register, nor is there such a thing as creating to many or too few registries. Base your decision on your needs and circumstances. A traditional department store registry and a smaller "lifestyle" retailer may cover all the bases for some couples. Other couples, due to their unique interests or geographical locations, may decide to register at as many as four or five stores. By doing so, they're providing their friends and relatives with a wide range of gift and price choices, as well as increasing the chances that the gifts they receive are "just right."
Whatever you decide, just make sure there are always enough items, in different price ranges, available on your registry. This may mean adding new items to your registry as your wedding approaches. A final suggestion, don't insist that guests shop exclusively from your gift registries. Remember, the gifts they give are their choice. And some presents are carefully chosen surprises that may become the most cherished gifts you receive.