Selecting
a bridal registry early in the wedding planning cycle
can easily be one of your most enjoyable and exciting
planning functions. Bridal registries are a free service
available at many of your city's finer department and
specialty stores. It affords you the opportunity of pre-planning
your new home furnishings and guarantees that you'll be
receiving truly welcomed gifts from your friends and relatives.
You should select your bridal registry as soon after you
become engaged as possible. It will function as a helpful
guide for selecting gifts for your engagement parties,
showers and, of course, the wedding. The proper etiquette
for informing your guests about your selected bridal registry
is to request your bridesmaids, mothers and relatives
to spread the word. It is also proper to include the phrase
'Registered at,' on your shower invitations. It is not
proper etiquette to include bridal registry information
on your wedding invitations.
Your bridal registry consultant is more than a
sales person. She can help you with coordinating all of
the elements that go into furnishing and accessorizing
your first home. Selecting the items to furnish your new
home should be a joint effort between you and your fiance.
Your guests may then be confident that their gift will
be welcomed and wanted. Most importantly, you are allowing
your guests to help you and your groom build the sets
of china, sterling and crystal that will be with you throughout
your lifetime. Today's registries offer you choices from
practically every department of the store. . . china,
crystal, housewares, bath accessories, small appliances,
furniture bar accessories, luggage and perhaps even tools.
Let your needs and wants guide your choices.
Many stores now have computerized registries which
make it even easier to prevent duplication and to inform
your guests, especially those shopping in branch stores,
of your preferences.
With your groom, consider these categories. Note
the quantities, sizes and colors or patterns of items
you'll need for your new home.
